As well as having a fun-packed weekend, you will benefit through:

• Improving your leadership skills
• Learning more about yourself and your capabilities
• Increased self-confidence and the ability to rise to new challenges
• Team working skills and fitting into teams more easily
• A certificate of achievement, which may be used in gaining a Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Something positive to put on a UCAS form or CV that both universities & employers will find interesting
• Having an opportunity to meet a wide range young people with similar interests and a network of new like-minded friends

What will be expected of me on RYLA?

You will be expected to:

• Spend the full and entire weekend at RYLA
• Participate in all activities, showing the best of your leadership skills, with a good attitude and open mind
• Follow the easy rules of Arethusa Venture Centre
• Visit your sponsoring Rotary Club after RYLA and make a short presentation on what you gained by attending
• To have fun and enjoy yourself!

What does RYLA cost?

The costs per Awardee for the full weekend's programme, including accommodation and catering, is £140. In most cases, the full cost is met by a sponsoring Rotary Club.

Who can attend RYLA?

RYLA is open to all young people from Kent and East Sussex aged over fourteen and under eighteen at the date of the course. To get the most out of the course, you should already have leadership potential. For this reason, we particularly welcome those who are a school head boy/girl, school prefect, sports captain, Interact Club member, Scout or Sea Cadet.

How can I apply?

If you would like to attend a fun RYLA weekend, you will need your employer, school teacher, scout leader or youth club leader to nominate you through any Rotary Club within the district.

You will find your nearest Rotary Club on the District 1120 web site or by going to your local library.

Download a copy of the RYLA Awardee Registration form here.

What is the accommodation like?

You will stay in the Williams Block at the Arethusa Venture Centre. Boys occupy the ground floor bedrooms whilst girls sleep on the first floor. Bedrooms have four bunks per room. There is a communal toilet, shower and wash room for each floor. A common room on the ground floor common room is used by all for relaxing and watching television during free time.

Full bed linen is provided by the Arethusa Venture Centre.

What do I need to pack for the weekend?

RYLA is an activity weekend, consequently expensive designer clothes and jewellery should be left at home.

You will need to cater for both indoor and outdoor activities, and the suggested RYLA kit-list may be helpful when deciding what to pack for the weekend.

Do I need to bring any money with me?

There is no shop or vending facility on site as all meals and drinks are provided. Unless you need to make public telephone calls you will not need to bring money with you for the weekend, .

You may wish to bring a few chocolate bars if you require a snack between meals.

What times do I need to arrive and be collected?

RYLA weekend courses commences at 5pm on the Friday. You are advised to arrive about 4.30pm to allow sufficient time for you to register, sort out your accommodation and unpack.

You should arrange for parents or Rotarians to collect you at 3.30 pm on Sunday when the course finishes.