(6/24/2008) Dave Mello introduced today's presenters, our Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipients fresh from their self described life changing experience at Camp RYLA.   

Our four distinguished awardees this year are: Kelly Brokaw, Chelsea Heil, Keiko Kurita and Riley Sisk.

Click here to view a slideshow featuring our campers and this year's camp experience.

Read on for an excellent overview of RYLA provided by Dave Mello...

 

 About RYLA

Each year, thousands of young people take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Young people ages 14-18 chosen for their leadership potential attend an all-expenses-paid seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.

RYLA aims to:
* Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth;
* Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;
* Encourage leadership of youth by youth; and
* Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.

RYLA was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, and is one of the most significant and faste st-growing programs of Rotary service. RYLA programs often lead to the formation or strengthening of Rotaract and Interact clubs. RYLA participants often go on to become Youth Exchange students or Ambassadorial Scholars.

In District 5170, RYLA is held each year during the 3rd week of June at CampCampbell, just north of Boulder Creek on Highway 9.  Campers in our district are selected first from those that will become Seniors in high school.  If space allows, then Juniors or just graduated Seniors may be chosen.  District 5170 RYLA is one of the most dynamic youth programs Rotarians can support.  RYLA campers find their week at RYLA to be a life changing event.