May 30 Guest Speaker – Pauline Perreault, Rotary Edmonton South

Pauline is a past president of the Edmonton South club and came to speak to us about three Rotary youth programs.

RYPEN

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is a three day camp for youth in grades 10-12 who are searching for a positive identity. This district-sponsored program works with local schools to identify youth who will benefit most from the experience. Clubs can sponsor participants at $250 each. The camp consists of both physical and classroom activities. For most participants, this is their first exposure to personal development of any kind.

RYLA

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a three day camp for youth in grades 10-12 who have demonstrated leadership abilities. Clubs can sponsor participants at $500 each. This camp also consists of physical challenges and classroom activities. The classroom activities are more advanced and feature items such as the True Colors Test and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Youth.

RYE

Youth who are selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) spend up to a year with host families and attend school in a different country. They become ambassadors teaching their hosts about their country, culture, and ideas. Every year, more than 8,000 students participate in the program in more than 80 countries around the world. The success of this program rests on clubs who sponsor youth ($5,000 plus a $450 contract fee) as well as the families who open their homes to the youth. Currently, Laura Morie from the Rotary Club of Westlock runs the program in our district. Our club can find out how to get involved by emailing her at balesl@shaw.ca.