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Our Course

RYLA Wessex is a fun and challenging residential leadership course for 16 and 17-year-olds.

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Over one action-packed weekend, you'll develop confidence, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and leadership skills while meeting young people from across the Wessex area.

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The course takes place at Tile Barn Outdoor Activity Centre in the New Forest and is fully sponsored through Rotary.

What Happens at RYLA?

You'll join a small team and take part in a series of practical challenges designed to make you think, communicate and work together.

Some activities will require careful planning.

Others might test your communication, problem-solving or ability to lead a team.

You won't always know the solution straight away – and that's the point.

RYLA helps you discover how you react to challenges and how working effectively with other people can help you achieve more.

Students in helmets collaborating in a team building activity

Leadership Through Experience
Forget lectures; RYLA is about active participation. Over one weekend, you will:
• Take the lead in team settings
• Value and listen to diverse ideas
• Communicate well under pressure
• Solve complex problems
• Make critical decisions
• Support your peers
• Reflect on your actions
• Identify your unique strengths

You'll also gain insights from guest speakers who share real-world leadership journeys.

Students collaborating on an outdoor team-building activity.

Build Your Confidence

You may find yourself doing something you've never tried before or working with people you've only just met.

Some challenges may push you slightly outside your comfort zone.

That's where some of the biggest learning happens.

You'll be supported throughout the weekend by your team, activity staff and RYLA mentors.

There is no exam and no pass or fail.

The aim is simply to get involved, learn from the experience and see what you're capable of.

Student in a green helmet navigating a tire obstacle.
Yellow ball rolling down a track into a black bucket.

Skills That Stay With You

The skills developed at RYLA can help long after the weekend has finished.

They can support you when:

  • applying for college or university

  • preparing for interviews

  • starting your first job

  • taking on responsibilities at school or college

  • volunteering

  • joining clubs or societies

  • working with new people

You'll leave with new experiences, new skills, new friends and hopefully much more confidence.

Who Is RYLA For?

RYLA Wessex is for 16 and 17-year-olds who are willing to challenge themselves and try something different.

You do not need previous leadership experience.

You don't need to be the loudest person in the room.

Leadership can mean listening, communicating, encouraging others, solving problems and helping a team move forward.

RYLA gives you the chance to discover what leadership means to you.

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