RYLA 2002

COMMITTEE CHAIR: Mark Verhemme

District 5510 holds its Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp at the Salvation Army Camp near HEBER, AZ, among the scenic pines in the White Mountains.

Some 80-plus high school students and Rotarians will attend.

Activities include dynamic motivational speakers, seminars on leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution.  Additionally, a variety of sports and recreational activities, such as volleyball, horseshoes, rope climbing, and horseback riding are included.  The fun begins with team assignments and an ice-breaking scavenger hunt.  

Guided by Rotary's New Generation philosophy regarding youth, the camp is structured to challenge the students to discuss problems confronting today's youth and to give participating adults the opportunity to listen to their suggestions and devise methods and activities for resolving their concerns.

Any number of sensitive subjects are raised by the students.  Everything from teenage pregnancy, to latchkey kids, to domestic violence,  to drug and alcohol use are addressed, and solutions sought.  

A rich source of student participants are Interact Clubs.  Scottsdale Rotary Club sponsors the Interact Club at Saguaro High School.  Following their participation in the RYLA camp, the students will be available to report back to their sponsoring Rotary Club on their experiences.  

Each club in the district is encouraged to send two student participants at a cost of $250 each.  The Rotary Club of Scottsdale sends two young leaders, for a total investment of $500.

Rotarians who wish to participate in helping to run the camp or just attend as observers, are welcome to do so free of charge.  Scottsdale Rotary's RYLA Chairman, Tom Tull, is participating this year for the fourth time.