The achievers will spend 7 days discovering 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, returning to their host family on the final Friday 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" recently repainted with funds provided by the
Rotary Club of Royal Leamington Spa

The 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 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 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

A new attendance certificate will be introduced for 2008 for all achievers who complete the programme. Therefore every participant should qualify for at least one certificate but has the possibility to earn 3 certificates on this programme. Certificates will be awarded by the organisers following the programme and 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 Government no smoking policy is already in force.

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 and even moor up in the centre of town. Places to visit such as the world famous castle at Warwick, 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 Neville from Rotary Club of Meriden and Didem from Turkey
 bring Dream Catcher through a lock on the Grand Union flight

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

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

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

During the programme the young people will be assessed for the Narrow Boat Crew or Helmsman's Certificates and will be continually monitored as to their leadership qualities to qualify for the coveted RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) based on their stay in the UK

Always been shy to have a photo posted to the web but many of the overseas Achievers and RYLA Chairmen have requested John should be on this site for various reasons. So 'ere he is!!!