Rotary Youth Leadership Award District 5300, Rotary International March 2-4, 2012 AstroCamp, Idyllwild, CA

WHAT IS RYLA? – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive training program for community youth leaders. – 288 high school juniors, chosen for their leadership potential, attend an all-expense-paid three-day camp in Idyllwild, Calif. – The Rotary Youth leadership Award program started in District 5300 in 1987 under District Governor John Fee and RYLA Chairman Roger Schulte. – RYLA affects our communities, Rotary clubs and Rotarians in many ways. It is one of the most important annual programs our District does each year.

What Does Develops understanding of Rotary among youth participants. – All programs emphasis the 4 Way Test, ethics and Service Above Self Reinforces and provides recognition for student’s efforts, accomplishments, skills and potential as leaders. Develops leadership skills of youth participants with emphasis on: – How to motivate others, – Ethics of positive leadership, – Communication skills in leadership, – Leadership in problem solving and brainstorming, – Group dynamics and peer pressure, – Self-confidence and self-esteem.

Much Happens in 2 1/2 Days Plenary Sessions and Motivational Speakers 8 Leadership Lab Activities – All experiential – no desks and note taking! – RYLA Challenge City Club Meetings Fellowship Activities – The Dance – Coffee House and Guitarist – Game Show

RYLA is an exciting and inspirational experience for the youth of our District…

In one student’s words: I cannot say the words “thank you” enough, for being able to let me experience this once in a lifetime opportunity! We have spent around 48 hours at RLYA, 48 hours of activities, of labs, lessons, sessions, of meeting and creating lifelong friendships with many others, and 48 hours of finding out more about the world, and what we can do to make it a more prosperous place to live in. We all came excited and anxious as to what we were getting into, and we all left 48 hours later, feeling inspired, ready, prepared, to actually TAKE ACTION, and make change. Who knew what 48 hours can do? I treasure every moment I’ve spent there, every person I have met, and my goal, starting now, is to show others what I have learned, share the vision that I see. There are many who say they are “inspired” after coming back from a leadership retreat, and they may stay motivated for a period of time, but eventually, it wears off. For me, I hope to keep the inspiration, keep the mindset, and keep dreaming. Thank you Thank you THANK YOU, RYLA, for making me open my eyes onto a bigger and greater world other than our own!

And it is a true Rotary moment for Rotarians, as well! – Meet new Rotarians from around the District – Be an integral part of making a difference in the life of the youth in our communities – Work hard, and get way more in return!

It takes nearly 100 Rotarians to make RYLA happen each year. Which means we need you to get involved.

How can you be a part of RYLA? You can make sure your club sends to RYLA at least 2 students (hopefully more) from the schools your club sponsors. RYLA can accommodate 288 youth and we always want to be sure we are giving this opportunity to as many students as possible each year.

You can be part of the committee that plans RYLA. If you have never been to RYLA before, you can apply to be a Facilitator. A Facilitator works directly with 8 students at camp during the weekend.

To be a Facilitator, you must fill out an application, complete a youth protection background check and attend a training. All applications and training schedules can be found at A

WHAT TO EXPECT This is a camp at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet. The weather ranges from bright sunshine to snow. You will be sleeping in the dorms with the students. You will share a room with another Rotarian, or two. You will be responsible for the welfare of the students while they are up on the hill. The days are long and full of activity. AND this will be one of the most rewarding Rotary experiences you will have!

If you have ever been a Facilitator in the past, you can apply for other roles on the committee, with duties ranging from working with the clubs to get their students enrolled to leading labs at camp to coordinating any number of the many activities that make RYLA happen.

If you want to be a part of the RYLA committee, please fill out the volunteer link at or contact one of the co-chairs: MaryAnn Avnet, or Lynn Purdue, or

Thank You Thank you for your time today and for considering being a part of RYLA Because of the dedication of Rotarians throughout District 5300, hundreds of our youth will get to experience incredible leadership training in true Rotary fashion!