In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 47

... as the weekend progressed, we
saw the teens develop increased
confidence, self-image and
motivation, greater pride in their
achievements and better life skills. ”
Lynette Wilson,
Rotary Club of Timaru
“They also gained a real appreciation of the benefits of
working together to achieve a common purpose, and a
good understanding of setting and achieving goals.”
Lynette, who has a strong history in Rotary championing
the district’s young people, including through Rotary
Youth Exchanges (RYE), the Rotary Youth
Driver Awareness Programme and as a former
club Youth Committee director, is urging all
clubs to consider launching their own Rotary
Youth Enrichment Programme – especially if
they can arrange “youth tutors” by partnering
with organisations offering outdoor education-
type courses.
funding provided by our Rotary members,
and to make sure they have access to
the opportunities and tools they might
otherwise not have been able to benefit
from.
“This programme is particularly special
to all of the Rotary team that’s involved,
and it’s a privilege to watch a group of
young people grow and benefit so much
through a mix of team-building sessions
and adventure-based learning.
“RYPEN gives these teens a confidence boost and
provides skills to show them they really are able to lead
and step up into leadership roles in their schools, sports
clubs and wider community.
“The young tutors from Ara benefit, too, and
play such a key role to the programme’s
success – our ‘youth leading youth’ model
works very well,” Lynette says.
Ara student and camp tutor Andrew Graham
says RYPEN provided his team a fantastic
opportunity to apply their instructor skills.
“I know everyone involved gained plenty of
“I’m passionate, as is programme co-ordinator
Andrew Graham
beneficial experience.
Don George (of the Rotary Club of Timaru
North), who was also instrumental in establishing an
“We thank the Rotary Club for giving us the chance to
Interact Club at Timaru Girls’ High School, and has been
engage with the youth programme, and we hope the
involved in RYPEN since 2012,” she says.
students all learned some valuable lessons and had a
fun time, too. We look forward to working with them
“For us, it’s about enabling our young people to fulfil
their dreams through the initiatives, networking and
again.”
opped
“She hasn’t st
he
talking since s
of
got home! Full
d
enthusiasm an
ut the
positivity abo
has
weekend, she
e.”
had a super tim
…
“Yes, yes, yes
use
I loved it beca
u get to meet
d
new people an
w
experience ne
things.”
ch
“Thanks so mu
g
for an amazin
u
experience. Yo
guys all did so
it
well organising
o
and I learnt s
much!!!”
Instructors and students in action at RYPEN.