This year, RYLA will be held from Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to Saturday, June 15, 2024, again on the beautiful campus of Austin Peay State University, in Clarksville, TN. Applications for the 2024 RYLA Program are attached these are due on April 1st .
What is RYLA?
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership program for young people ages 15-18. Organized by Rotary District 6760, RYLA allows participants to learn new skills through civic engagement and personal and professional development opportunities. Talented high school students are chosen from among their peers to attend a series of outdoor activities, leadership training events, seminars, etc. each June. The RYLA program enables young people to debate issues of professional responsibility and human relations, improve leadership and communication skills, learn about businesses and institutions, and meet Rotarians while having fun and making friends. For young adults, RYLA provides the opportunity to refine skills and explore pertinent topics with their peers and elders. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to:
- Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth by developing youth leadership skills and recognizing those who are making a positive difference in their communities
- Instill a lifelong commitment to service in young people and connect them with ongoing opportunities to serve through Rotary
- Fulfill Rotary’s commitment to youth service by empowering young people through leadership development
- Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
- Encourage leadership of youth by youth See for yourself what RYLA is all about: We created a short video that shows what we are doing at RYLA, learn more at: https://vimeo.com/837131927?share=copy
When and Where is RYLA?
The 2024 RYLA program will be held from Tuesday, June 11, 2024 to Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Austin Peay State University, in Clarksville, TN (www.apsu.edu). The schedule will be: Tues. June 11th 9:00 am Check-in; 11:00 – 10:30 pm RYLA activities all day; Wed -Friday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm RYLA activities all day; Sat. June 15th 7:30 am – 1:00 pm RYLA activities; 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Graduation (family is invited to attend at APSU); 3:00 pm Departure
How do Participants Apply?
To apply for the 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), potential participants should submit all of the following:
- A completed digital application
- A copy of the student’s (or parent’s) Health Insurance Card
- Fee payment ($500 each; paid by the sponsoring Rotary Club; Payable to ‘District 6760 – RYLA’)
Completed applications can be mailed by April 1st to: District 6760 RYLA Committee c/o Robert L. Huffman 3925 Sango Road Clarksville, TN 37043.
Application Process/Timeline
Jan. 1 Application materials made available to District 6760 Rotary Clubs
Feb. 1 Rotary Club provides application materials to prospective RYLA applicants
Mar. 1 RYLA applicants’ complete application materials and return to Rotary Club
Mar. 31 Rotary Club forwards applications (with $500 payment) to the RYLA committee
May 1 Official 2023 District 6760 RYLA Acceptance Letters sent to selected RYLA participants
June 11 RYLA program begins with check-in at 9:00 am June 15th RYLA program ends with graduation, which will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Who is Eligible?
Young people, entering the 10th or 11th grade, who live or attend high school within the boundaries of Rotary District 6760 are eligible. Students entering another year of high school in the Fall 2024 (i.e.: 9th or 12th grade) may be considered; however, entering 10th and 11th grade students will be given preference.
How Much Does It Cost….And Who Pays?
The district subsidizes the cost of the program. All unsubsidized fees are paid for the participating student by the sponsoring Rotary Club. The cost of the 2024 RYLA program (paid by the sponsoring Rotary Club) is $500 per participant.
Payment should accompany a complete application, be made payable to ‘District 6760 – RYLA’, and be mailed by April 1st to: District 6760 RYLA Committee c/o Robert L. Huffman 3925 Sango Road Clarksville, TN 37043 Cancelations on or after April 30th will result in no refund of any payment made.