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2009 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
(RYLA)
An Opportunity to Excel
RYLA will be held at the Salvation Army’s ‘Heart O’ the Hills’ camp
near Tahlequah, OK.
RYLA is for high school juniors (11th graders) who
have shown potential in leadership in their school or community
settings. RYLA is a well
established and vital concept in our District 6110 as well as most of
the rest of the Rotary world.
Basically RYLA is a four day retreat that involves
outstanding students, professional instructors, and Rotary sponsors.
The agenda is varied and fast-paced and includes a ROPES course.
Several aspects of leadership will be highlighted.
The planned activities are designed to build confidence,
self-esteem, and the ability to work as a team.
The learning environment is individualized to assure all
participating students a truly successful and rewarding experience.
Students attending RYLA should return to their
local settings better equipped to assume a positive leadership role.
They will have a better understanding of themselves in leadership
assignments. Those who have
attended previous camps have given us some excellent feedback regarding
the benefits they have derived, thus allowing us to continually improve
the experiences for those following.
This is a golden opportunity for young people from your area to
work with other outstanding individuals from around the district where
all are on an equal footing.
For many, this will be the first time they have participated in this
type of activity.
The local club’s responsibility is relatively
simple and involves a minimum of activity.
You have sole selection freedom of who you choose to attend as
long as the student(s) meet the criteria of being a high school junior
(11th grade) and deserves the investment your club will be
making in him/her. You are
encouraged to select outstanding young people.
They may be children of Rotarians, but should be selected on
their own merits, not chosen simply because of their parents or, in the
same manner, overlooked because their parent is a Rotarian.
Next your club is required to sponsor the
student(s) financially. This
includes pre-payment of the registration fee of
$215 per student.
Also, required is a commitment to provide transportation for the
student(s) both TO and FROM the camp located near Tahlequah, OK
(a map and camp regulations will be mailed to each student and club
coordinator upon receipt of confirmation and payment).
While some clubs may elect to allow students to drive their own
vehicles; it is strongly recommended the clubs use this time to become
more familiar with the student(s) by providing the transportation as a
club function. Finally, your
club will need to be sure the student(s) are aware of RYLA’s purpose and
to support the student(s) upon their return to include an opportunity to
address your club with a report of follow-up presentation.
Give this serious consideration and respond
accordingly if you have done so already.
This will be an excellent RYLA camp, one that your student(s)
will long remember. Meals,
lodging and all materials are included in the registration cost.
We hope each club will provide at least one student AN
OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL by attending the camp.
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