Ever wanted to know what happens at RYPEN?
Posted by Paul Weston
The 2012 Rotary Program for Enrichment (RYPEN) was an outstanding success with 59 Year 9 students attending the Borambola weekend.
Thanks are due to Committee Chair Neil Pinto and Rotarians who assisted with the leadership development at the Sport & Recreation Centre.
Parkes Rotary sponsored seven Year 9 students from the Parkes Christian School.
The following summary is by Brittany Rudd of Molong Central School, sponsored by Orange Daybreak Rotary.
“I’d just like to say a big thank you to Orange Daybreak Rotary who gave me the opportunity to go to the RYPEN 2012 leadership challenge weekend.
“The camp was a fantastic experience that I’ll never forget”.
Topics that really made an impression:
•We shouldn’t judge a person by our first impressions - get to know them before you form an opinion. I went out of my way to speak to the people who didn’t seem to be “my kind of people” but I actually found that I had something in common with nearly all the people.
•The NRMA spoke to us about getting our licence, road safety and basically everything you need to know about having your licence.
•Taking responsibility in your life - have organisation and initiative as we can’t rely on our parents forever. A Wagga paramedic spoke to us about his important role in his community. One mistake with Alcohol and drugs can ruin your life or you can begin to fall down the wrong path.
•A representative from GTES a not-for-profit organisation in Wagga spoke about traineeships and apprenticeships.
•Toastmasters spoke about public speaking, gave us tips to overcome nerves such as being prepared, knowing your topic, not worrying about what others think of you, engaging with the audience and speaking loudly and confidently.
•Rotary Youth Exchange - we met two students (from Germany and Peru) who were on exchange in Australia. We also heard about xperiences of exchange students living in another country.
•National Youth Science Forum - A girl came and spoke to us about the Rotary science camp NYSF. She told us about what she got to do at the camp such as wild experiments, going to different unis, learning about different careers there are for you if you are interested in the science field and pretty much all the little activities they got to do whilst on the camp.
•MP Michael McCormack the representative for the Riverina came and spoke to us about politics and his role in parliament.
•On the Saturday night an aboriginal dancing group come and performed traditional dances for us.
“The camp was an all round amazing experience.
“I met some great people and made friends I’ll keep for many years to come.
“THANKS Rotary for giving me this opportunity”.
(Pictured above is Orange Daybreak Rotarian Bob Derrick congratulating Brittany Rudd)