Presented by: Nikki Desjardins Rotarian & RYLA Participant Cora Clukey RYLA Participant

Arrival, Introductions, and On The Ground Training

Communication, Team Building, and Trust Basic Skills Building Blocks Barriers

Communication Introductions Some things don’t translate well…Some things do One translator, 29 participants Pause for translation…Slow down Listen

Team Building Having just met, this group of 29 individuals from both Canada and Maine, began with a team building exercise called “The Human Knot.”

Trust We then moved into a trust building exercise. Simple trust falls with your feet on the ground then trust falls from the tops of picnic tables.

Translation, Please From English to French From Trust Falls to Ropes Course From Communication to White Water Rafting From RYLA to Rotary

Working Together Towards a common goal Teamwork Strategy Revisit Goals

Cabins Women’s Cabin 1Women’s Cabin 2 Thank you, Northern Outdoors! Since the cabins were not being used, they offered them to us. I, for one, was not prepared for sleeping outside. It was COLD and I had a bad cold AND forgot my medicine….

Camaraderie Bonding Entertainment Sharing Fun

Ropes Courses – Low and High Skits

Low Ropes Team Work Spotters Communication Patience Leaders

Provide Direction Take Charge Make Sacrifices

The Wall Teamwork Strategy Leaders

Safety First Training Harnesses Helmets

High Ropes 30 ‘ High Belay Trust Teamwork Communication Cora

Trapeze Why would you climb up a tree and jump off a perfectly good platform???? To try to grab the trapeze…of course… Video

Super Woman

Holy **** Swing I wonder why it’s called that??? Thanks for clearing that up, Nikki! Video

Holy Cow Swing The ‘actual’ name Team Work Encouragement Adrenaline Total Fun Video

White Water Rafting

Wet Suits Stylish and Functional Necessity in the 50 ° weather

Challenges Many people had never been white water rafting before Some were not comfortable with the water…especially the cold water Communication Follow directions - All Ahead, Right Ahead, Left Ahead, Right Back, Left Back, All Back

Rafting Cold and Wet Paddle Hard Falling Out Lifting In Communication Teamwork

Barge Coming together before we said our goodbyes. RYLA 2009 created a 4 raft barge and drifted down the Kennebec. It was the largest barge that one of the guides had ever been a part of.

Note to Self…Do NOT white water raft in September in Maine Nikki Cora

Thank you Thank you, Waterville Rotary, for giving us this opportunity to learn about ourselves, leadership, and Rotary. And to have a little outdoor fun and adventure!

We have answers!