RYLA is a Rotary sponsored youth leadership training program for high school-age students. Each year, more than 9,000 young people are sponsored in RYLA programs by Rotary clubs in over 25 countries. Rotarians provide the RYLA program for FREE to all participating students. Rotary District 6580 sponsors an annual RYLA program at Bradford Woods, which is owned and operated by Indiana University and is located in rural Morgan County.
The RYLA program takes full advantage of the beautiful wooded setting. Under the guidance of trained facilitators at Bradford Woods, RYLA participants gain valuable leadership skills through a variety of adventurous "learn by doing" opportunities.
RYLA participants sleep in cabins and spend most of their day in the outdoor setting. Daily activities are a part of the Bradford Woods Outdoor Challenge Education Program. Some of the activities are only inches from the ground while others are a bit more daring. All require the participants to take a risk, give 100% and be a supportive member of a team. All RYLA students grow in self-confidence, gain insights into positive group behaviors and interactions, develop leadership skills, make a lot of new friends, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Objectives of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program
* To acquaint RYLA participants with the fundamentals of Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” and further demonstrate Rotary's respect , support and concern for youth. Rotary believes that “Youth are the future!”
* To encourage and assist selected youth who demonstrate leadership potential in methods of responsible and effective voluntary youth leadership by providing them with unique training and personal growth experience.
* To encourage continued and strengthened leadership for youth by youth.
* To publicly recognize the abilities and attributes of many young people who are rendering a service to their communities as youth leaders, and who hold great potential as future leaders in their own communities.
Responsibilities of Participating Teens
Local Rotary Clubs make all arrangements and pay all RYLA program fees ($250/student which represents an increase from previous years), so it is imperative that registered students make the commitment to attend RYLA for the entire weekend. Potential RYLA participants should check the dates carefully before committing to the program. The only other requirement is to come with an open mind and a desire to learn and have fun!
Indiana’s three Rotary districts select Cadet Noah Jager as 2024-25 Rotary Global Grant Scholar and The Rotary Foundation has confirmed Noah Jager as the 2024-25 All-Indiana Rotary Global Scholar. Noah recently graduated from West Point Naval Academy. The three Indiana Rotary districts chose Noah over five other outstanding finalists following January 20 interviews. Noah, endorsed by Bloomington Sunrise Rotary, will use the $40,000 award to pursue a master’s degree in International Peace and Security from King’s College London. Noah’s area of focus: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention.
After receiving his master’s degree, Noah will serve as an officer in the U.S. Army for a minimum of five years on active duty and three years in the reserves. In his first duty position, Noah will serve as a Military Intelligence Officer specializing in strategic intelligence. After serving in this role, he hopes to become a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), providing liaison with countries in an assigned region through policymaking, military cooperation, and community engagement. Later, Noah plans to return to Indiana where he will practice law and serve in the Indiana National Guard. Ultimately, he plans to address the needs of Hoosiers by serving in the U.S. Congress.