The participants will spend 7 days discovering the inland waterways whilst navigating the canal system. 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, returning to the moorings at Willow Wren in Rugby on Friday 31st July before travelling 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" being  steered out of a lock by helmsman John

Megan and Emma from Colstons School in Bristol along on the Rotary Youth Leadership Award programme let Dream Catcher out of a lock on the Tardebigge Flight. Over 40 locks that day

The Achievers will have an opportunity to meet many overseas visitors on the canals, study the wildlife and the Warwickshire Countryside, visit places of interest and even moor up in the centre of town. Depending on the route, places to visit such as Worcester Cathedral, take in the culture of Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, sample the water in the Victorian Pump Rooms at Royal Leamington Spa or just take a break for breakfast, lunch or dinner with the local Rotary Club to even sampling the local fish and chips, making a change from their own cooking

Helmsman Ian from Rotary Club of Rugby Dunsmore instructs Ben and Megan on  the locks at Lapworth

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

The weeks activities are concentrated on: Competition: Friendship: Discussion: 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 Canal Crew Course

The crew take Dream Catcher through the locks
 between the worst rains

The RYLA week 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 healthy menu of their choice.  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 an alcohol free environment. Please keep the smoking ban in mind when you apply for the programme as there are no exceptions

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

Certificates will be awarded by the organisers following the programme and presented by the District Governor during the programme or sent to the sponsoring Rotary Clubs

3 Achievers point to the Alcohol Free Zone sign in Worcester town centre and make some suggestions. We listen to feedback from our students and from 2008 this programme will adopt a policy of no alcohol on Dream Catcher (apart from the Skippers). The whole programme has a strictly no smoking policy