Mission: Using High Adventure and Hands-On Activities as well as discussions under the direction of experts in he field of LEADERSHIP, we intend to show OUR youth how to use their natural abilities to lead the next generation while developing self esteem and team work...

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award program is a 3-day retreat designed to recognize 10th Grade students who demonstrate leadership ability, and give them the opportunity to receive leadership training at the District 7230 Leadership Camp. The camp is held at the Alpine Boy Scout Camp, Alpine, NJ on April 16-18, 2010.

Rotary clubs have the opportunity select one or more students from local high schools. The campership fee is $225 per camper, paid by the Rotary club, which covers 2 nights lodging, 6 meals, leadership activities and incidental costs. Parents only provide transportation to and from camp. Sponsoring clubs feel pride among members that they are developing students who will be leaders in the future.

APPLICATION FORM	This is the the Student Application form. It is 4 pages total, including the parental permission form and a reference page with names and contact information of Rotary officials who can answer questions.
SCHEDULE April 16-18	This is a PDF with the tentative schedule of activities for the 3-day camp experience.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO CLUBS	A letter sent from the District to all Rotary clubs, dated Sept 19, 2009, describing the RYLA program and the steps each club needs to take in order to sponsor 10th grade students for the camp.
SAMPLE LETTER TO SCHOOLS	This is a Word DOC (.doc) that clubs can use as a template for contacting their local high schools about the RYLA program. Each club needs to modify the letter, of course.

Materials for Selected Participants

The items below are documents for the participants who have been selected, and for their sponsoring clubs.

WELCOME Letter	This is the letter that clubs send to the selected participants. It is a Microsoft Word .DOC file that the club can customize
What to Bring (and other info)	A checklist for the participant. This is a "must-read." It is a Microsoft Word .DOC file.
Student PLEDGE FORM	RYLA participant pledge form, required for every participant. This is a PDF to be printed and signed by every student

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

From the ABC's of Rotary:

Each summer, thousands of young people are selected to attend Rotary-sponsored leadership camps or seminars in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, France, Argentina, Korea, and numerous other countries. In an informal atmosphere, groups of outstanding young people in the 14-30 age range spend a week in a challenging program of leadership training, discussions, inspirational addresses, and social activities designed to enhance personal development, leadership skills, and good citizenship. The official name of this activity is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program (RYLA), although these events are sometimes referred to by other names, such as Camp Royal, Camp Enterprise, youth leaders seminars, or youth conferences.

The RYLA program began in Australia in 1959, when young people throughout the state of Queensland were selected to meet with Princess Alexandra, the young cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The Rotarians of Brisbane, who hosted the participants, were impressed with the quality of the young people. It was decided to bring youth leaders together each year for a week of social, cultural, and educational activities. The RYLA program gradually grew throughout all the Rotary districts of Australia and New Zealand. In 1971, the RI Board adopted RYLA as an official program of Rotary International. RYLA is generally conducted as a district activity.

Website comments to tnygreen@alumni.princeton.edu, please. Page saved 10-Aug-2010.