2011-12 Programme

Below is our programme of activities for young people in the Mid Herts area ( Welwyn, WGC, Hatfield, Brookmans park, Potters Bar and surroundings).

Any comments or queries to midhertsrotary@ymail.com please.

Events & Competitions (in chronological order)

Hatfield House Charity Horse Ride, Sunday 2nd October

Hatfield House is a wonderful setting in which to ride a horse and this is a rare opportunity to do so.  For further details go to www.hatfieldrotary.org

Sponsored Dog Walk, Sunday 9th October

This takes place on Sunday 9th October from10am onwards starting and finishing at the Royal Vet College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms. There is a long walk of approx 8.5k and a shorter one of 3k. The proceeds will be going to the Alzheimers Society, Orpheus Trust Centre and the Royal Veterinary College charity, the Animal Care Trust.  Details from Barbara Middleton on 01707 857173 or at enquiries@brookmansparkrotary.org.uk

Young Citizen Awards

The Rotary Young Citizen Awards, which have been going for some 10 years, have recently received some publicity on television as they are now sponsored by the BBC News channel.  We are keen to recognise the achievements of your students in school or in the local community.  If you have individuals or groups who you feel are worthy of wider recognition, please email us at midhertsrotary@ymail.com.  It may be that they qualify for the national Rotary competition, details of which are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/young-citizen-awards, in which case we will be pleased to put them forward.  Proposals are needed by Tuesday 31^st January 2012.

Youth Speaks – Wednesday 16^th & Thursday 17^th November 2011

This popular and long-established public-speaking competition has been entered by many local secondary schools and other groups in previous years.  We plan to hold two heats, one essentially for Brookmans Park/Potters Bar, the other for Welwyn/Hatfield, on consecutive nights, though it may be possible for teams to enter the other heat if necessary.  (We may amalgamate the two heats if there are insufficient entries for two decent competitions.)  Teams of three are needed, a main speaker, a chairperson and a proposer of a vote of thanks.  There are two age groups, Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5).  The local competition winners can progress to district, regional and national stages of the competition.  This year, teams are encouraged to speak on some aspect of “The Olympic Spirit”, but this is not compulsory and teams will not be penalised if they choose another topic. Details are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-youth-speaks   Deadline for entries is Monday 6^th November.  Further details to follow.

Young Writer

This is another well-established competition.  This year there is a choice of title, “Olympic Spirit” or “Olympic Dreams”.  The competition runs in three age groups, Junior (approximately Key Stage 2, maximum of 500 words), Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3, maximum of 800 words) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5, maximum of 1600 words).  Further details are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-young-writer  The deadline for entries is Monday 16th January 2012.

Young Photographer

Competitors have to submit a portfolio of 4 photographs no more than A4 in size with a 50 word description of their inspiration.  This year there is a choice of theme, “Olympic Spirit” or “Olympic Dreams”.  The competition runs in three age groups, Junior (approximately Key Stage 2), Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5).  Further details are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-young-photographer  The deadline for entries is Monday 16th January 2012.

Young Chef

This is another well-established competition sponsored by Waitrose and Filippo Berio.  The 2011 national winner  was also treated to a one-day cookery experience at Auberge Du Lac.  Entrants have to submit a menu and the judges then select the best six.  These six competitors then cook their menu at a cook-off at a local venue on a Saturday morning within a two-hour time limit.  The competitors are provided with a voucher to cover the cost of ingredients and the winner goes on to district and potentially regional and national finals.  Details are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-young-chef   The deadline for entries is Friday 20^th January 2012 and the cook-off is planned for Saturday 4^th February. 

Technology Tournament

This competition has been running successfully for many years and most of the local schools have entered.  Teams of four have to design and build a solution to a problem posed on the day.  At the end of the day the various solutions are demonstrated and winners chosen.  Details are at http://www.ribi.org/youth/competitions/ribi-young-technologist  This year’s local competition will be on Tuesday 6^th March 2012.

Sponsored Swim, Saturday 10th March

Held at Furzefield Centre, Potters Bar, teams of 5 swimmers try and swim as many lengths as possible in a constant relay within 20 minute slots from 5.30pm onwards until about 8pm. This is open to young people and adults to enter teams.  More information from enquiries@brookmansparkrotary.org.uk

Welwyn Hatfield Rotary Walk, Sunday 29^th April

This event is open to all individuals and groups who wish to raise money for a charity through a sponsored walk, an ideal way of raising money for your own project without the hassle of having to organise the walk yourselves!  There is a choice of 7-mile or 11-mile routes starting at Campus West car park in Welwyn GC and following a gloriously scenic route through Sherrardswood, Brocket Hall park, bluebell woods and along the River Lea.  25% of what you raise goes to Rotary charities and 75% to your chosen project.  Why not organise a group to come and take part?  An excellent social activity as well as a fund-raiser.  Or perhaps a warm-up hike for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?  Details at http://www.welwynhatfieldrotarywalk.org.uk/walkdetails.shtml  (The date of the walk has recently been changed to avoid the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday – this is the correct date.)

Young Digital Artist

This is a purely local competition now in its third year.  We are looking for digital artifacts (still pictures, movies, web pages or complete websites) that have that touch of artistic flair as well as demonstrating technical skill.  There are three age groups, Junior (approximately Key Stage 3), Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 4) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 5).  It is quite acceptable to enter coursework though the assessment criteria will be different from public examinations.  As well as gift voucher prizes, we hope to be able to offer the winners the chance to work with a local graphic design company.  The deadline for entries is 31^st May 2012.  Details at http://midhertsrotary.blogspot.com/

Rotary Young Leaders Award, a weekend at the end of June or beginning of July 2012

A weekend “Outward Bound”-type experience run by the RAF Regiment at RAF Henlow for 18-30 year olds sponsored by their local Rotary club.  Perhaps you have students or ex-students who would benefit from this?  Let us know at midhertsrotary@ymail.com.

All-Year-Round Activities

Youth Exchanges

Rotary offers many opportunities in a wide range of countries. For further information go to http://www.ribi.org/youth/youth-exchange

Filling Aquaboxes

Aquaboxes, as the name suggests, are boxes designed for treating and storing water and are shipped into disaster areas when needed.  They are filled with a defined list of supplies to help people in the immediate aftermath.  Our clubs are happy to provide a box (£50) for your students to fill.  Better still, maybe your students could raise the cost of the box as well? http://www.aquabox.org/intro.asp

Supporting End Polio Now

Rotary has been working with the World Health Organisation and others over the last 20-odd years to eradicate polio.  From millions of cases worldwide in 1980, we are now down to a few hundred last year and we are working to raise funds to eradicate the disease completely.  Further details can be found at http://www.ribi.org/thanks-for-life/the-fight-against-polio  If you have ideas to help, we will be only too pleased to collaborate.

Shelterboxes

Shelterboxes provide a tent to accommodate 10 people and essential supplies to help them survive the aftermath of a disaster.  The boxes are stockpiled in readiness for the next disaster and can be shipped at very short notice anywhere in the world along with a team of volunteers to distribute and help set them up.  Each box with its transport costs is about £500 and there is a critical need at present as stocks have been run down by a series of disasters.  More information at http://www.shelterbox.org/

Interact Club

Why not set up a school Interact Club?  These are groups of students from the age of 12 upwards, who share the Rotary aims of serving the community and promoting peace and international understanding.  We will provide a Rotarian mentor to work with a member of your staff and the support you need to make the club a success.  More information at http://www.ribi.org/youth/interact or contact us at midhertsrotary @ymail.com

Rotarians supporting Insight Into Industry Conferences and similar activities.

We have members who can act as advisors/mentors for these sorts of activities.  Please email us at midhertsrotary@ymail.com if you would like help.

School Projects

Do you have a school project that we might be able to help with?  If so, contact us at midhertsrotary@ymail.com