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 $300 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 e-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.