Information for Rotary Clubs
Please click here to sponsor a young person at RYLA and register as the contact for your club.
On this page, you will find some useful facts and information about the RYLA Programme in D1010.
​Scotland – North, District D1010 has a long history with RYLA. RYLA has provided opportunities for young adults in D1010 since 1984. In 2025, we aim to provide a programme that builds on and maintains those opportunities, keeping it relevant and enabling the programme to evolve to meet the needs of candidates today.
What is RYLA?
It is in essence, a development opportunity for young adults – a programme which develops leadership skills and qualities. It is in fact, an activity programme based on outdoor and indoor challenges combining the brain and the body.
What are the aims of RYLA?
To provide:
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A development opportunity in a welcoming, safe but challenging environment
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A time and space for new skills to be practised, consolidated and reviewed
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Activities which develop confidence and self-esteem through physical and mental challenge
What is Leadership?
At RYLA we believe that Leadership is Action NOT Position. This means that anyone given the space, freedom and time to explore their capabilities and potential can expand their horizons, stretch their boundaries and achieve more than they ever believed possible. Anyone given the opportunity can develop leadership qualities and become a leader.
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RYLA achieves this by combining unique activities in a single programme – stretching BOUNDARIES, exploring HORIZONS, requiring TRUST, demanding COMMUNICATION, reviewing ACTIONS, reflecting on OUTCOMES.
RYLA Mantra
The RYLA ethic can be summed up by the 7 C’s:
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COMMITMENT
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CHARACTER
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COURAGE
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CHEERFULNESS
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COMMUNICATION
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COMPETITION
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CONFIDENCE
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These are the areas that are explored daily and discussed throughout the RYLA programme. These are the qualities that sum up the RYLA ethos and values.
RYLA Handbooks
RYLA candidates will receive these on arrival at the camps. The handbooks will contain the welcome from the DG, activity programme, the daily timetable, the RYLA teams, the speakers, expectations, notebook facility, reflections pages. This for the candidates personal use.
Duke of Edinburgh Award – Residential Accreditation
Information about Duke of Edinburgh Residential is provided in the handbook. RYLA Camp at Abernethy, Nethybridge is an accredited success point for DoE Gold. DoE candidates can be endorsed by RYLA Camp Leaders. Please encourage your candidate to bring the associated paperwork to RYLA. This will be signed off by the accredited RYLA Programme Leader.
Musical Instruments
Anyone who can play an instrument is welcome to take this with them to RYLA. Please encourage your candidates to do so, if they play an instrument.
Mentors
There is a cohesive, experienced Mentor Team in place for both camps. Many are Rotarians or former RYLA candidates. They are responsible for delivering the wider programme, facilitate discussions, provide feedback and critical reviews. Across both camps the Mentor Team are from diverse backgrounds with a wide skill-set. They encourage, enable, listen, reflect, feedback, rejoice with the wins and help make the losses easier to understand.
Speakers programme
There is a varied and interesting Inspirational Speaker programme arranged for both camps. The speakers set the theme for a specific topic which is tested and examined throughout the day. The RYLA Team are privileged to draw on a wealth of support and expertise from within D1010, from Rotarians, local entrepreneurs, community leaders, military personnel, the sporting arena, RYLA alumni and Abernethy staff. This starts at 9am every day and lasts for approx. 45 minutes followed by a Q & A session.
Training instructor team
We are very lucky to work with an amazing, experienced group of Training Instructors at Abernethy. Their combined years of experience in the activities they provide and their encouragement of the candidates to give everything a try is a winning formula. Their patience and ability to empathise is second to none. Their often heard said catchphrase is ‘until you have tried, you have no idea exactly what you are capable of’. Nothing is ever too much trouble, from teaching someone to ride a bike, to abseiling in tandem to help someone overcome their fear. This is empowering and enabling… this allows everyone to go home having learned something, maybe a little, maybe a lot. Perhaps having changed. Sometimes its subtle and sometimes it’s not. If you grab the opportunity who knows what can happen, which doors will open. Believe in the possibility of opportunity, of change and of adventure. Take a risk today or tomorrow but definitely in this unique, life-changing, life-affirming week. GO FOR IT is another often heard phrase from the Abernethy instructors. If you respond to that, you will have an amazing week.
