Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camper Applications Open for Enrollment

RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award. A RYLA participant is selected by his or her local Rotary Club to attend a camp designed to build character, leadership, personal development and good citizenship. The “Award” part of RYLA is the actual scholarship the Rotary Club provides so that a participant may attend camp free of charge. Past participants have had life-changing experiences by attending RYLA Camp, and YOU could be one of these people.

SAVE the DATES July 9-13, 2023 | Maranatha Camp
Hosted by Rotary Districts 5630 & 5610 

Applications will be accepted beginning February 1 through March 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

APPLICATIONS

apply online at: https://greatplainsryla.org/apply

Please see the following bullet points about RYLA:

*It is a week long camp, July 9-13, 2023, held now at Maranatha Camp, Maxwell, NE

*District 5610 started RYLA in 2016 and we partnered with District 5630, who started their RYLA program in 1991. As District 5610 only has a handful of RYLA awardees who go to RYLA each summer, this partnership has proven very successful and a win-win for the students and for District 5610.
*Each District 5610 Club who sends a RYLA student(s) will be reimbursed 50% of the RYLA cost by District 5610. The cost for each student this year is $450. 
*Each Club is responsible for transportation for the student to RYLA (see the website for more information).
 
*RYLA is open for application to sophomores and juniors who exhibit leadership or potential leadership abilities.
*I have personally spoken to past RYLA students who all said they came away from RYLA with new, life-long friendships and a solid understanding and appreciation of Rotary. Each has said they will continue in some way with Rotary be it Interact, Rotaract, or joining a Rotary Club (after college). Some have returned as RYLA camp counselors ~ and one is now the RYLA Camp co-chair!!! One RYLA student even got her parent to rejoin Rotary!
*As Rotarians, we MUST encourage sophomores and juniors we know to apply/attend RYLA as they are the future of Rotary!! 
 
*Another important take away I learned from past RYLA attendees was they were each personally asked by a Rotarian to consider RYLA and to fill out and application. 
 
*Thank you ALL for your help in seeking out those potential sophomore or junior applications you know or have connections with, and to come along side school counselors in your area to assist them in locating these future leaders!  Camp preparations are underway and it's going to be a FANTASTIC camp experience again this year!
 
Should you have any questions or comments, please reach out to District 5610 RYLA co-chair Rene Sorenson