At its meeting of 28th November, the Rotary Club of Anstruther & District heard from Natasha Thompson, a pupil and prefect at Waid Academy, Anstruther.

Natasha came to speak about her experiences at this years RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) camp – her attendance having been supported by Anstruther club.

This annual event takes place at the Abernethy Centre, Nethy Bridge and offers many team activities – rock climbing, mountain climbing, raft building, gorge walking, off road cycling and many more. All aimed at team building and especially at developing self-confidence, inter-personal and leadership skills. The outdoors team-building activities are supplemented by daily formal morning and evening lectures, with speakers from senior positions in business, the professions and in competitive sports. A total of 69 young people attended the week-long camp.

Natasha, who plans to attend university to study business law, produced a very professional DVD from film taken at RYLA and spoke enthusiastically of her time there. She mentioned the insight she had gained into team building and the different leadership roles - and of the value of her experience in personally leading a kayaking activity.

When asked what single word would best describe RYLA she replied ‘AMAZING’. Natasha went on to say that the thing that has remained most strongly with her is the idea of ‘an ordinary person doing extraordinary things’ through commitment and dedication. 

The Club was not surprised to hear Natasha also comment on how a group of nervous strangers at the start of the week, became transformed into a close-knit group of friends.

Natash was thanked by club member Bill Henderson, who also presented a framed RYLA Certificate.