September 2017 Dear RYLA Coordinator: Each spring, local Rotary Clubs partner with local school districts to select one or more High School sophomores and juniors (Award Winners) to attend a leadership development program known as RYLA, which stands for. This camp is a terrific 48 hour Leadership training event for your Award Winners. In 2018, the program is scheduled from April 20-22, 2018. The location is Camp Kern YMCA Leadership & Conference Center in Oregonia OH. This Camp is part of Rotary s New Generations initiative to engage Rotarians in the lives of developing youth. The Leadership Camp will feature several outdoor challenges, critical thinking exercises, and motivational speakers. Students will need to come prepared for physical activity and be dressed appropriately (April weather can be challenging). They are also required to attend the ENTIRE camp. Please note: 100% of the cost of the camp is covered by your sponsoring Rotary Club. It is a special honor and opportunity for students who receive this RYLA award. We want to to make the most of this opportunity, for an extremely low cost to your club. Use it to promote your club! Use it to engage club memebrs in working with youth! We have 52 Rotary Clubs within our District 6670 in southwest Ohio, so this program pulls a cross section of students from many school districts. Last year, over 50 Ohio High Schools and 94 students were represented. We will only accept 100 students for this program. The important items to remember are: We only have 100 spots Students must arrive between 12:30 and 1:00pm on April 20, and should be picked up at 12 on April 22 (Closing Ceremony starts at 11:15am) Registration is due by March 1, 2018 The students have to commit to attend the ENTIRE camp Students can be transported to and from Camp Kern by Rotarians, or family members, but are not permitted to drive themselves. No student cars are allowed at Camp Kern for safety purposes and liability reasons The students need to dress appropriate for outdoor activities Cabins are separated by male/female and are supervised at all times by male and female volunteer Rotary Advisors Please work with your Rotary contact to select your students and send their applications, health forms and waivers along with their fee (paid by Rotary) to the District Chair, Carol Hughes, at 245 Dalfaber Lane, Springboro OH 45066, by March 1, 2018. Questions can also be answered by calling or emailing Carol at. We are certainly looking forward to providing a meaningful leadership event in April 2018, to a select group of students of whom each Club in District 6670 can be proud. We are counting on YOU to participate in order to make this camp a success. What a great way to invest in the future! 1 P a g e
RYLA - 2018 The RYLA Award What is this? RYLA was started in Australia in the early 1960s. It was adopted as an official Rotary Program worldwide in 1971. The entitles the recipient(s) to take part in the annual RYLA camp as the guest of their local Rotary Club. RYLA is a 48 hour intensive youth leadership training experience headed up by highly trained, experienced leaders representing a wide range of vocations. Each delegate (Award Winner) is advised to visit your club meeting to meet your Rotarians and gain a better sense of Rotary in your community prior to the Conference As soon as possible after the conference, the Award Winners should be invited to attend a Rotary Meeting to talk about their experience. The Aim and Purpose of RYLA: To recognize, encourage and educate youth leaders To demonstrate Rotary s respect and concern for youth To encourage, assist and train leaders in responsible and effective youth leadership To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth-by-youth To publicly recognize the high quality of youth who are rendering service to their communities as young leaders The Plan: We request that each club select high school sophomores and juniors to attend this camp. To do this, the students must complete an application, health form, and waiver. Your RYLA committee must select delegates (award winners) and alternates and your club must pay the cost of the camp for each student ($165). Selection and Closing Date: Please send the delegate applications and payment to the RYLA District Chair at 245 Dalfaber Lane, Springboro OH 45066. Applications and payments can be sent at any time. The final deadline for applications and payments to be received is March 1, 2017. The local Rotary Club committee (3-5 Rotarians under the leadership of an enthusiastic chair) should select the students to receive the award. Applications must be completed (legibly) by the student, and approved by the student s parent or guardian. Each student should be interviewed by the committee before being approved. Make sure the student s commit themselves to attending the ENTIRE camp. Please note: your Club s money will not be returned for no-shows. 2 P a g e
RYLA Timetable for your Rotary Club: By December 12, 2017 (if not already done): Appoint RYLA Committee Determine number of awardees your club will sponsor Return RYLA Chair Report (page 4) to Carol Hughes at, or fax to 937-748-0525 by Dec 15 Publicize the RYLA program in your local newspapers Write or call High School principals or guidance counselors (sample letter page 8) and deliver RYLA Applications to local High Schools, your YMCA, church groups etc Work with your High School to make sure they understand the timeline and requirements of the program. By January 31, 2018: Hold interviews and select your students (sample interview scoring sheet page 6) By March 7, 2018: Mail applications, health forms and waivers (3 pages in total) and a check for $165 per application (made out to ) to the 2016 RYLA Chair: Carol Hughes, 245 Dalfaber Lane, Springboro OH 45066 By March 14, 2018: Invite your Award Winners to a Rotary Club meeting. Explain Rotary to them. Arrange for transportation to Camp Kern for your students. (PLEASE NOTE: Students are NOT permitted to have a car at Camp Kern). Please note: By March 31, your Committee will have sent a letter, the rules of the camp, and complete instructions to each By April 4, 2018: Confirm transportation arrangements with each of your students On Friday April 20: Transport students to Camp Kern Plan to arrive between 12:30pm and 1:00pm; PLEASE eat lunch before arriving On Sunday April 22: At 12, pick up students from Camp Kern and transport home By April 30: Send your evaluation form with comments and suggestions to the District or fax to 937-748-0525 Invite your Award Winning Students to give short talk to your Rotary Club about their RYLA experience. Present the Award Winners with their certificates or gifts. Please: follow this timeline. We are working with 52 Rotary Clubs, 100 students, 12 volunteer Rotarians, 10 Camp Kern staff, 3 speakers, and 1 Rotary District Governor in an effort to accomplish this great camp for your youth! We are counting on your help! 3 P a g e
RYLA Chair Report: PAGE 4 Please return to Carol Hughes by December 15, 2017: Dear Carol: The RYLA Chair for 2018 for the Club is: Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Mobile: Email: Number of students our club will sponsor in 2018: Please indicate if you would like one of our Committee to visit your club to talk about RYLA in 2018. Yes No If YES, who should they contact? Name: Phone: Date: Signed: Rotary Club RYLA Chair To: Carol Hughes Chair 245 Dalfaber Lane Springboro OH 45066 (937) 251-3333 Email: 4 P a g e
SUGGESTED: Selection by Club of Award Winners: It is important that the selection of the sophomore and junior students be carried out very carefully. The students shall be of the highest standard obtainable within the club s area. The basis will include reference to character, general education, leadership qualities, record of service to their school and community, and have the potential for wise leadership of their peers in the future. Students may be selected from school church, YMCA, YWCA, 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, and other worthy youth organizations. Sons and daughters of Rotarians are also eligible. The selection will be reflected on the local Rotary Club as well as the District. Select Students first for their leadership potential, second for good citizenship, third for desire to attend the RYLA camp, and fourth for scholarship. These characteristics are listed in order so that talented leaders are not overlooked because of grades. Talented leaders are good, conscientious students who are creative and resourceful. Academic standing is important, but not necessarily the # 1 characteristic of effective and charismatic leaders. Sample Rating Chart: Applicant s Name: Category: Excellent Average Fair Poor Leadership: Industry: Citizenship: Attitude: Appearance: Communication: Health: Intelligence: Remarks: 5 P a g e
Sample News Release Asking for Nominations: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Rotary Club of is searching for candidates to attend the 2018 District Camp at Camp Kern in Oregonia, Ohio. The camp will take place from April 20 - April 22, 2018., local Rotary Club Committee Chair said that participants will be selected from students in their sophomore and junior years of high school, who have exhibited leadership abilities in school, church, extracurricular, or community activities. The Rotary Club is in the process of contacting churches, schools, youth organizations, and other sources for nominations. Aimed at developing the leadership qualities of young people, the camp will feature many challenging activities, including speakers, discussions, sports, music, and fun. Topics will focus on decision making, critical thinking, communicating effectively, public service, problem solving, and career development. Anyone interested in obtaining further information should contact at ### Sample News Release announcing Delegates: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Rotary Club of announced the selection of and as delegates to the 2018 District 6670 Camp to be held this spring at Camp Kern., local committee chair, stated that the Rotary Club will be among the 52 Rotary Clubs in District 6670 that will be sponsoring high school students who will develop leadership potential together at Camp Kern, during a weekend camp designed and headed up by highly trained, experienced leaders representing a wide range of vocations. The camp will feature outstanding speakers, and workshops, focusing on decision making, critical thinking, communicating effectively, public service, problem solving, and career development. ### 6 P a g e
Sample letter to School Principals, Guidance Counselors, and Other Organizations Date: Dear Guidance Counselors: The Rotary Club of is interested in community leadership, not only for today, but for tomorrow as well. The students in your school will, in a very few years, be assuming leadership roles in your community and beyond. We know you are training them for the task. Rotary would like to help! For this reason, the 52 Rotary Clubs in District 6670 will conduct the Camp at Camp Kern in Oregonia Ohio. The camp will take place from April 20-April 22, 2018. It will be staffed by carefully selected Rotary counselors. Our objective is to offer outstanding high school sophomores and juniors an opportunity to live, work and play together in an atmosphere of friendly competition which will offer a challenge to accept the responsibilities of leadership. Much of each student s time will be structured with programs such as group discussions, guest speakers, career guidance, and group sports. Perhaps the greatest benefit will come from sharing this experience with up to 100 other outstanding students from all over southwest Ohio. Our Rotary Club is asking that you nominate students who have already displayed leadership abilities, and who will profit most from this experience. We suggest they be selected first for leadership, second for good citizenship, third for desire to attend this camp, and fourth for scholarship. The RYLA experience is a well-known enhancement for college applications. Please give copies of the attached application form to students whom you think will be good candidates. Nominations should be made and the names given to your Rotary representative no later than January 31, 2018. Our Rotary Club Committee will then interview the nominees, and select the delegates and their alternates. We hope that the selection for our RYLA Camp will become a regular part of your Award System. We thank you for your assistance in this project for the advancement of youth. Rotary Club RYLA Chair 7 P a g e
RYLA Application Form Date Payment Received: Check # Student Name Please note: Make Check to Address City zip Date of Birth Gender: Male Female Telephone: (Home) (mobile) Email High School Grade Does your school have an Interact Club? Yes No If Yes, are you a member? Mother s Name Address (if different) Telephone: (Home) (mobile) Father s Name Address (if different) Telephone: (Home) (mobile) Student Portfolio: Special Interests and Talents: Awards: Extracurricular Activities: Leadership Positions: Future Profession: Student Signature Date Sponsoring Club: Club RYLA Chair: Email: Phone: Mobile: Committee Decision: Delegate 1 st Alternate 2 nd Alternate Rotary Contact: Once Delegates are selected and notified, please mail completed Application Form (Page 8) with Health Form page 9 and Waiver - page 10 to District Chair, Carol Hughes @ 245 Dalfaber Lane Springboro OH 45066 with $165 payment (to ) by March 1, 2018. 8 P a g e
HEALTH FORM (Complete legibly upon being selected) Student Name: Birth Date: Gender: Age: Parent /Guardian Phone: Home Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Business Address: City: Zip: Bus Phone: If parent/guardian is not available, notify: Name: Phone: Name: Phone: Health History (to be completed by parent). Please give approximate dates: Disorders/Diseases: Allergies: Ear infections Rheumatic Fever Hay Fever Heart defect/disease Chicken Pox Poison Ivy Convulsions Measles Insect stings Diabetes German Measles Penicillin Bleeding disorders Mumps Other drugs Epilepsy Asthma Foods Tonsillitis Strep Throat Foods Mononucleosis Other disorders Other Operations or serious injuries (include dates): Chronic or recurring illnesses: Other diseases or details of above: List medications: Name of Doctor: Phone: Name of Dentist/Orthodontist: Phone: Family medical/hospital insurance carrier: Policy number: IMPORTANT: Must be completed for attendance: Parent s Authorization: This health history is correct as far as I know, and the person herein described has permission to engage in all prescribed camp activities except as noted by me and the examining physician. I hereby give permission to the physician selected by the camp director to order x-rays, routine tests and treatment for the health of my child, and in the event I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by the camp director to hospitalize, secure proper treatment for, and to order injection and/or anesthesia and /or surgery for my child as named above. I also give permission for Rotary or Camp Kern to use photos or videos of myself/my child for promotional purposes in print, DVD, or on the website. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Witness: This form (Page 9) must be submitted with Application Form (Page 8), Waiver (Page 10), & payment by Mar 1, 2018 9 P a g e
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