Summertime in District 6900 mean it’s time for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, better known as RYLA!!  RYLA is designed for young adults with proven leadership ability and a commitment to community service. The District 6900 RYLA camp was hosted by the Rotary Club of Americus June 17-21 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University and included 104 students sponsored by over 40 clubs.

Through RYLA, these young people from different backgrounds - home, educational, religious, and lifestyle - are brought together to work, learn, and discuss the issues that exist within their generation.  They have the chance to learn and challenge themselves through team activities, large group activities, and candid, round-table discussions.  RYLA programming includes individual personality profiles, conflict resolution styles, and ropes course activities designed to encourage teamwork, communication, and trust.  Included once again was the opportunity to participate in a service project which allowed the students to experience the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” firsthand – the group painted inspirational “RYLA Rocks” to be placed around the campus.

One of the recurring themes of RYLA is the student who accomplishes a feat he/she would have never dared to imagine before coming to camp.  The most memorable of these culminating events are always the board break, which allows students to break through their fears to reach their goals, and the Trust Fall from a 5-foot platform into the waiting arms of teammates.  And just as always, most of the students who were very hesitant to spend the weekend with over 100 strangers became the friends who did not want to part ways at the end.  This speaks volumes to the benefit of RYLA and the positive changes it can create in young lives.

Even more telling of the long-lasting influence of RYLA is the fact that 90% of the counselors were once RYLA participants themselves – they believe in it enough to commit the time and energy to make RYLA the best experience possible.  Approximately 75 Rotarians assisted with RYLA in some capacity, with most contributing on the club level with the nomination and selection of student participants while others provided transportation to and from RYLA, and the brave few who agreed to serve as chaperones in the dorms.  Special guests this year were DG George Granade, DGE Andre Marria, DGN Gordon Owens, and DGND Steve Ivory who joined us for several days volunteering as Chaperones and spending time with the student teams.

RYLA aims to help students discover their potential and develop the skills needed to be leaders in their communities, careers, and everyday lives.  And they achieve these goals while having fun, building friendships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.  We’re already looking forward to 2024 when RYLA will be held June 8-12. We hope to see you and your students there!