What do Rylarians learn?
Campers (Rylarians) will gain valuable leadership skills through family sessions, discussions, well known speakers and challenging physical activities. Camp RYLA training can set the stage for success in life. RYLA teaches its participants to:

• Exchange ideas, opinions and plans with talented, energetic people, in an atmosphere free from negative pressures and distraction.

• Become acquainted with a premiere service organization (Rotary International) and proven leaders from communities throughout Rotary District 5580.

• Learn how to manage and head community service projects.

• Discuss ways to become role models for friends facing decisions on important issues such as chemical use and abuse (drugs and drinking), sexual activity and attending college.

• Discuss effective and appropriate approaches for resolving family, social, and professional conflicts.

• Learn about other Rotary club programs including Rotaract (service club for young adults); Interact (a service club for secondary school students); and youth exchange (a chance to live and study abroad for free).

• Become familiar with other Rotary International programs, including international scholarships.

• Develop a special rapport with the local Rotary Club.

The RYLA Core Curriculum:

1. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.

2. The fundamentals of leadership.

3. The ethics of positive leadership.

4. The importance of communication skills in effective leadership.

5. Problem solving (Opportunities for Improvement) and conflict management.

6. What is Rotary and what does it do for local communities around the world.

7. Building self confidence and self esteem.

8. Elements of community and global leadership.

9. Promote the concept of 'youth leading youth.'

10. Developing each camper:  mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially.

What materials are used?
Camp RYLA uses several powerful tools for teaching campers leadership skills.  Rylarians learn principles of powerful personal leadership as written in Sean Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.  In this powerful text, Sean Covey follows the guidance of his father, Stephen Covey, who wrote the world renowned leadership guide The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People which teaches the use of seven habits that will allow one to accomplish their life goals.  Sean Covey uses the same concepts as his father but relates them to the teenager perspective.  The goals are:

• Be Proactive.

• Begin With the End in Mind.

• Put First Things First.

• Think Win/Win.

• Seek First to Understand, and then to be Understood.

• Synergize.

• Sharpen the Saw.

These Seven Habits will be studied and discussed along with topics in goal setting, decision making, understanding self, communication, motivating others and establishing values.

Campers will also gain the insight that has made Rotary International one of the most productive and successful service organizations in history, The Rotary Four Way Test.  The Four Way Test is used by Rotarians to help them make the best decisions in life and business.  The Rotary Four Way Test a test of the things Rotarians think, say or do.

• first, Is it the Truth?

• second, Is it fair to all concerned?

• third, Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

• fourth, Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Powerful Mentoring
One of the most powerful sources for information that the RYLA program uses cannot be outlined on paper, the people.  The volunteer Facilitators that take lead each of the Family Groups bring more wisdom and knowledge of ethical leadership than can be learned from any book.  The volunteers that work with the program are hand picked proven leaders from all over the region.  Check out the volunteers.