The RYLA Experience – A life changing experience.
When is it?: April 7th – 12th 2024
Where?: Kangaroobie, Princetown
Applications close March 8th 2024. Apply now – See below for the application form and application package!
Q: How do young people aged 18 to 25 years join this?
A: You can approach a local Rotary Club to sponsor and pay for you OR you can apply and we will try to link you to a Rotary Club.
Q: What do I need to do?
A: You will need to commit for the full 5 days and bring a can-do attitude with you.
Q: What if I can’t leave my job or tertiary studies for five days?
A: We will advocate for you by helping to discuss this with employers and/or tertiary teachers and we can help you financially to attend.
Q: What do I need to do for the Rotary Club?
A: As the Club will be paying $600 for you to attend they will expect you to attend one or two meetings with them and they may expect you to help with some of their fund raising activities. They intend to make a link with you so that they can help so for example if you have no transport to the camp they will organize it for you.
How long has Rotary been involved with the RYLA experience?
RYLA was adopted as an official program of Rotary International in 1971 and has been a worldwide success ever since. It is the most comprehensive youth leadership training that Rotary delivers. The aims of RYLA are:
- To demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth
- To provide an effective training experience for young people and those who see themselves as potential leaders
- To encourage leadership of youth by youth
- To recognise publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
Every RYLA program needs to promote Rotary and its service to the community. However for each participant, the RYLA experience will include the following elements:
- Leadership and decision making skills
- Positive Leadership and motivation
- Communication Skills
- Problem Solving and Conflict Management
- Building Self Confidence and Self Esteem
- Global Citizenship
- Goal setting
- Community contribution and public speaking
- Developing resilience.
Is it successful?
These are some of the comments from our 2023 Rylarians
“If you here about this experience, absolutely do it. I was uncertain, nervous and unsure what I was getting myself into. I can say after finishing RYLA, it has truly changed my life for the better and I can’t thank the team enough.”
“as a person who thought it was going to be a waste, I am now the biggest advocate for the RYLA experience. Completely life-changing”
“Without a doubt-life changing. I am so grateful to have been a part of something so special and this has significantly impacted who I am and what I want. The close friends I have made and the family we have created through this process has honestly changed me and helped me in finding my place in the world.”