RYPEN at the Guthrie Smith Centre, Lake Tutira

Twenty Seven years and still going strong!

10 – 12 students sponsored from Clubs in Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and Waipukurau attended the annual RYPEN Course at Lake Tutira.

Greenmeadows Rotarian Larry McKenna and his Wife Christine celebrated 10 years of organising and leading this course and had the assistance seven fellow Greenmeadows Rotarians, including Carol Charman, who had organised the Course for over 10 years prior to Larry taking over. 20+ years supporting RYPEN, not a bad achievement.

Rotarians from sponsor Clubs transported their students to the purpose-built centre at Lake Tutira, 45 minutes’ drive north of Napier.

Two qualified Instructors lead the students through activities including first night no lights (apart from glow worms) walk through the native forest following a rope course.

Saturday training using high wires and Canadian kayaks lead into the Sunday “Challenge.” This involved Teams preparing a Business Plan and budget and once approved by Rotarian “Bankers” they then had to complete the challenge using the skills taught on Saturday.