The Youth Opportunities Committee of Rotary works with young people from the local area and encourages them in particular through two regular competions:

This competition is open to final year pupils from Hertford primary schools. Essays must be no longer than 300 words and based on a subject chosen by the organisers. Last year's essays were entitled "What I want to be when I grow up (and why)". The standard of the entries was very high, and the commitment of the students and teachers was, as always, admirable.

This event usually takes place in April each year and is staged in conjunction with Herts Regional College in Ware and is sponsored by Hanbury Manor Golf & Country Club. It involves students aged between twelve and sixteen years from local schools who are invited to prepare and cook a two-course meal, of their choosing, for two people. The cost of the meal must not exceed a given budget and marks are awarded for the quality of the menu, presentation and the difficulty of preparation. The finalists compete to impress the judges in a finale held at the college.