Each year Ludlow Rotary Club sponsors local young people to attend a 5 day course at an outdoor camp in Staffordshire with 31 others from the northwest Midlands.
In 2024, the club had sponsored three teenagers Henry, Arlo and Evan and with parents in tow they came along to a club meeting in the autumn to talk about their experiences. They spoke enthusiastically about how the week had taught them the value of teamwork, and leadership within it, but had also challenged some of their fears. As one put it “I don’t think I could have stood here and talked to such a large group had I not had the experience of the course”. Their advice to anyone who might be thinking of attending next year was simple – “Just do it. You may be taken out of your comfort zone but, most importantly, it’s great fun”.
L to R – Arlo, Evan and Henry
Here is another case report from the 2018 camp that took place over a week in August and the 2018 delegate from Ludlow Rotary was Rohanna Wholey. Rohanna came to a Club meeting in September and made a great presentation and enthused about her experience of RYLA. Currently at Ludlow College, Rohanna intends to go to university and then become a paramedic. She found RYLA was a great personal development experience and feels sure that the skills and knowledge gained will help her in the future as she goes to university and then employment.
Below is a copy of her slide presentation. ryla powerpoint
Ludlow Club has been sending a delegate to the RYLA camp every year for more than 16 years. Every one of these young people has told us how much they enjoyed the experience and how it has helped them to develop their confidence, skills and experience.
It’s a great chance for a 16 or 17 year old full-time student to have five days away from home at a residential course at Kibblestone International Scout Camp in Staffordshire. It has always proved very successful with our candidates who often say it is “life changing”. Rotary pick up all the costs and take and collect the successful candidate. We would prefer applicants to have connections with Ludlow or South Shropshire if possible.
Here are photos of one of the team building exercises in 2016:
Do you know anyone who fits the bill? This is a great opportunity for them to have some fun, improve their CV, make some new friends and develop their skills and confidence. The activities are both physical and intellectual and there’s a Talent Contest too!
Look at earlier camps on Facebook at Rotary District 1210 RYLA For more information and an application form look our website at ludlowrotaryclub.org.uk or contact Sue at youthservices@ludlowrotary.club.org.uk
- You are invited to apply for a place on this exciting, experiential and unique Youth Leadership Award course. Applications have to be received by April 20th each year. Before making an application please read the introduction to the application form to decide if this course is for you.
- After application you will be interviewed for a place on the course by members of your sponsoring Rotary Club, Ludlow.
- If selected for the course you will transported to and from the course by a member of Ludlow Rotary club.
- Following the course you will be invited to attend Ludlow Rotary Club to give a presentation on your perspective of the course.
- The certificate of participation in the RYLA course can be placed within your personal portfolio. Past participants have found the certificate a source of interest during work and university interviews.
Application form and guidance note
Updated 13/01/2025.