by Jaclyn Donovan, District RYLA Chair
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!