Each year, thousands of young people ages 14-30 take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Participants, who are chosen for their potential as leaders, attend an all-expenses-paid seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and learn them through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select attendees and facilitate the events.

RYLA was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, and it is one of the most significant and fastest-growing Rotary service programs. RYLA often leads to the formation or strengthening of Rotaract and Interact clubs, and participants frequently go on to become Rotary Youth Exchange students or Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars. For more information about RYLA in your area, contact your local Rotary club. 

The RI Board encourages clubs and districts to consider inviting socially and economically disadvantaged youth with leadership potential to participate.

Through RYLA, district chairs and other Rotarians have the exciting opportunity to become involved with young people in their community. By nurturing youth, Rotarians can provide the skills young people need to succeed as future community leaders. Taking part in RYLA also helps Rotarians develop their own leadership and communication skills.

Please note the date
June 6 – 11, 2009

Strong leaders are made, not born. Leadership principles are learned, not inherited. Through Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), “Leaders of Tomorrow” have a forum for teamwork, communication, and consensus building in an environment that challenges personal and team responsibilities. This week long leadership skills summer camp annually provides over one hundred outstanding high school student leaders, opportunities to expand and hone their leadership skills through cabin activities, athletic events, educational workshops, and team building exercises.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 5810

The RYLA program described and offered through this website serves the youth leaders in North Texas schools located in the area covered by Rotary International District 5810.

WHO PARTICIPATES IN RYLA?

RYLA campers are high school juniors who have excelled in one or more areas of high school involvement and who have proven leadership potential. Last year, all 61 clubs in Rotary District 5810, recruited from approximately 80 area high schools for camper scholarships. Interviews were conducted from over 1000 student applications. A hard decision in filling the 150 spots in final attendance.

RYLA OBJECTIVES:

· To provide an atmosphere where future leaders will experience learning situations that will aid them in developing sound values.

· To promote an environment that will provide each individual with a basis of insight and understanding for intelligent leadership.

· To promote involvement that encourages participants to think through appropriate actions based on values and ethics.

To encourage students through cooperative activities and group dynamics to develop leadership skills that can be carried back to their high schools and be modeled by other students.

ROTARY CLUB’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT:

Each Rotarian and Rotary club is very important to the continued success of this program. Your club’s ongoing financial support and time commitment is vital and appreciated.

Additionally, a strong chairperson and club committee is very important as we develop our program each year.