A popular youth leadership programme could face major changes after 40 years of success.
Cowdenbeath Rotary Club has been sponsoring students from Beath and Lochgelly High Schools to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camps since the 1970s, and the scheme has become a long-standing part of the club’s annual programme.
However, rising costs have cast doubt on its future.
Hank John, the club’s RYLA officer, said: "The cost of sending young people to the annual RYLA camps has now increased to almost £800 per person and this has had an impact on number of clubs in the north of Scotland still taking part in the project which has an amazing impact on raising a young person's self confidence."
The camps, held at Abernethy Outdoor Centre, offer 17 and 18-year-olds activities such as hillwalking, climbing, canoeing, and a variety of sporting activities.
Mr John said: "Different clubs fund sending young people to the experience in different ways and we have been fortunate to have an arrangement with our two schools which has seen us able to maintain our RYLA connection but other clubs have not been so fortunate, and District 1010 is concerned that unless there is a change to the format RYLA could cease."
He confirmed that the 2026 programme will go ahead as planned, but discussions are under way about the long-term future of the scheme.
Cowdenbeath Rotary members believe RYLA has made a significant impact on young people over the past four decades and are determined to see it continue.
Mr John said: "We will be able to put our views forward and hopefully it will continue well beyond 2027."
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