Following the sightseeing visits the achievers will spend 10 days aboard the narrow boat in the company of students from the UK to discover the inland waterways whilst navigating the canal system in our District. They will learn about the history of this unique canal system in the UK, operate the locks and generally manage the Narrow boat during their week before returning to their accommodation or hosts for a further 2 days sightseeing prior to their journey home. The Narrow boat is a purpose built 70ft craft, fully fitted with modern amenities such as: washing machines, micro-wave and electrics wired to enable portable CD players and even lap-top computers to be connected. The boat will be skippered by a professional helmsman and a Youth Leader will be aboard to make sure all goes according to plan

CLICK ON THIS LINE TO SEE A LARGE PHOTOGRAPH OF "DREAM CATCHER"

The Narrow boat " Dream Catcher" entering a lock with Merve from Turkey
 Wlady from Italy on the helm with instruction from Helmsman Andy Smith

The young people will have an opportunity to meet many overseas visitors on the canals, study the wildlife and the Warwickshire Countryside, visit places of interest en route including sightseeing in Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, sample the water in the Victorian Pump Rooms at Royal Leamington Spa, visit Birmingham and take a tour of Worcester Cathedral, even sampling the local fish and chips, making a change from their own cooking. Four days of sightseeing where all 4 towns have sports facilities the students may use.

Olga from Poland holds Dream Catcher in a lock whilst Sunny from India
Wlady from Italy and Jan from Czech Republic  wait for it to fill before opening the lock gate

John talks to 2 Achievers during the 2006 RYLA programme to find out their views

The weeks activities are concentrated on: Competition: Friendship: Discussion: Sightseeing: International Understanding: Goodwill: Peace

Group discussions aimed at promoting better understanding of different cultures and ways of life and how world events influence the attitudes and outlook of the younger generation

Initiative tests and mind games to identify qualities of leadership and the concept of corporate planning

During the programme the young people will take the NCBA Complete Canal Crew Course

Olga from Poland relaxes with a book in the sunshine between the worst rains

During the first 2 days and last 2 days the students will be based at either hotel or hostel accommodation or in some cases will stay in the homes of a Rotarian family from where they will be able to explore the city or town in which they are staying as individuals or as a group. Full details will be posted on the information page.

The 10 day RYLA programme is self-catering and the young people will be expected to work together as a team, developing leadership skills whilst in charge of this very sophisticated Narrow boat. Each Achiever is expected to prepare a menu of their choice from their country. They will be expected to cook and serve to those on board when they are in charge but also show they are capable of  delegating responsibilities to their crew. Dream Catcher has a non-smoking policy and is an alcohol free environment. Please keep this in mind when you apply for the programme

To enhance this unique experience the young people will be able to take and hopefully qualify for the NCBA certificate enabling them, if they wish, to return to this activity in the future with full confidence. The Achievers will also be judged  to qualify for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award on completion of the programme. Neither of these certificates will be given as of right but will be awarded based on the participants performance over the whole programme

3 Achievers point to the Alcohol Free Zone sign in Worcester city centre and make some suggestions. We listen to feedback from our students and this programme now adopts a policy of no alcohol on Dream Catcher (apart from the Skippers). The whole programme has a strictly no smoking policy