The Rotary Club of Cardiff sponsored eight students from Llanishen High School to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) courses at Storey Arms in late July and early August.
RYLA is a leadership development programme run nationally by Rotary for young adults aged 16 to 18. This outward bound style project helps participants discover their potential and develop the skills needed to be leaders in their communities, careers and everyday life.
All students experience leading a team of six to eight others. Students select one of four activities to lead: gorge walking, hill climbing, canoeing or caving. They are briefed on the key aspects a team leader needs to consider, including the technical skills they must explain, risks and risk management, and communication with teammates. Then they each lead their team in the activity they have learned about.
The instructors are there as backup, but the student is in charge.