OUTWARD BOUND 2024
On 07th October, 8 young people from Oban and Lochaber High Schools attended the Outward Bound Trust's Loch Eil centre, for a week's outdoor adventure, forming part of their Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). This pilot course funded, in partnership, by the Rotary Clubs of Oban and Lochaber is designed to unlock their leadership potential and develop those skills for the benefit of their local communities and beyond.
Blessed with wonderful autumnal weather, the group undertook a range of challenging activities that included a two day expedition involving a hill climb and ridge traverse before camping on an isolated beach. The following day they canoed the length of the river Oich, negotiating a number of rapids and white water before emerging into Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. Additional challenges further tested their communication skills, teamworking and ability to effectively plan.
The group were accompanied by two Rotarians from Oban and lead by two Outward Bound instructors.All agreed that the week took them "out of their comfort zone" and, whilst testing their resilience, was "great fun". The Rotarians and Instructors unanimously agreed that the young people developed enormously in a very short time, witnessing their increased confidence and genuinely bonding as an effective team to achieve the various tasks.
This experience forms the first part of their RYLA award and the young people now have to plan and implement a project for the benefit of their community, with the support of local Rotarians. The project has to be completed by the Easter break next year, so watch this space for further updates!
Rotary Club of Oban President Peter Tosh congratulated the two hardy Oban Rotarians, Alan Hoar and Ciorsti Baxter, who accompanied the Young Team on their epic week long adventure and the small committee who have seen the pilot project through to this stage. Peter commented “It has been a fantastic project for us, and the Rotary Club of Lochaber, to pilot and I am very proud of the Young People who took part. All reports confirmed that they really rose to the challenge and blossomed because of the challenges faced and overcome. It has also been a great experience working with our fellow Rotarian’s in The Rotary of Lochaber.”
The Rotary Club of Lochaber President Malcolm MacRailt was delighted with the joint venture and thanked everyone from both clubs for making the collaboration such as success. Malcolm noted, “This was our first joint venture with Oban Rotary Club, the first, we hope, of many. At the start of the course there were eight young individuals, by the end there was a team of young leaders. We are so proud of them all."
Dalmally Primary School is currently fund raising with a view to taking a group of primary 5 and 6 pupils to an outward bound course at Lochgoilhead later this year.
These courses are residential and are regarded as hugely beneficial to the development of the youngsters. Oban Rotary donated £200 towards Dalmally's costs and President Iain Mac Intyre is seen here handing the cheque to the pupils concerned.
Oban Rotary has also provided financial support to other schools making similar trips.
As part of its support of local youth activities the Rotary Club of Oban regularly contributes financially to the cost of "Outward Bound" courses which are made available by the local primary schools.This picture, which is by way of a "thank you" from Dunbeg and Lochnell primary 7 pupils to Oban Rotary for their support following a trip to an Outdoor Centre at Lochgoilhead, illustrates some of the activities undertaken.
In the words of the schools " Oban Rotary's financial support ensures that these courses are available to all and it was emphasised that "outdoor learning" is hugely beneficial to pupils socially, emotionally and physically as part of their preparation for higher education