Rotary gives teenagers a taste of adventure
Bailey Weng, left, and Cara Field, right, with the group on the summit during their mountain expedition.
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The team took part in a community project clearing invasive weeds.
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Two adventurous teenagers from Maidenhead joined young people from three other European countries for a week-long adventure programme in the Welsh mountains organised by Rotary.
Students Bailey Weng, 18, and Cara Field, 17, were part of a group of youngsters aged 16-18 from Italy, France, Germany and the UK, taken to the Rhos-y-Gwalia outdoor centre near Bala in Snowdonia, North Wales. The initiative, organised by the Rotary Club of Maidenhead, saw them take part in a non-stop programme of adventurous activities supervised by professional instructors from via ferrata climbing, raft-building and kayaking to gorge-walking, orienteering and stand-up paddleboarding. They also went on an overnight mountain expedition and wild camp, explored deep underground in an old slate mine and took part in a community project clearing invasive Himalayan balsam from river banks near Lake Bala. There were also evening teamwork activities such as designing a way for an egg to survive a drop from a first floor window with just paper, string, sticky tape and some straws. Organiser Rotarian Eddie Clarke, who accompanied the group with former club member Martin Trepte, said: “The youth adventure week has been running for many years and rotates between Maidenhead Rotary Club and our twin clubs in Tivoli in Italy, Bad Godesburg in Germany, and St Cloud in France, with each club sending a couple of participants. “This year it came back to the UK where we go up to North Wales for a week of exciting and challenging experiences that take them right out of their comfort zone. The aim is to grow their self-confidence, teamwork and leadership, and promote understanding between different nationalities. “Despite the tough programme and sometimes getting wet, cold and tired the group had a fantastic time and came back having grown in self-belief and made friends for life.” Cara said: “It was amazing, an incredible experience and I have never done anything like it before. Bailey added: “It was a perfect programme that allows you to step out of your comfort zone and develop key skills.” |
Exploring the mine workings.
Some of the group working on designs for the egg drop exercise.
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Exploring a gorge.
Having fun on Lake Bala.
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Working as a team to build a raft.
The group wild camped during their expedition.
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