Welcome to RYLA in the ROCKIES: Your District 5470 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp that creates lasting change in campers and volunteers alike.

“I learned that real change begins when you push yourself beyond what feels safe and familiar.” -Zofia

“I loved watching the students gain trust in one another, then bloom into leaders” -Miffie 

How does this transition occur so quickly in a 3-day camp?

The Secret Sauce of RYLA: 4 Main Ingredients and a Topping

The first main ingredient is an organized, packed agenda in a beautiful Colorado location, created around Rotarian values. Social Contracts that reflect the Rotarian Four-Way Test, team totems, and skits are created to quickly develop team culture and connection. “It felt good to be on a team where everyone’s voice mattered.” -Kenzie. 

Then lessons on communication skills, decision making styles, and ethical leadership are followed by a Motivational Speaker. This jump starts courage, just as campers move into individual and team challenges.

The second ingredient is experiential outdoor challenges, which enrich learning exponentially. These are processed immediately in debrief sessions led by the Junior Counselors (JCs), so campers can bring the lessons learned into their lives and communities. These challenges push students to communicate and problem-solve under pressure and are specifically designed to create leadership opportunities for all. 

Here are a few examples of the experiential activities:

Ropes Course / Zipline

“I was really scared of heights before the zipline but there were people behind me and I felt responsible to them, so I just went for it! They all supported me and I’m proud of myself now.” -JohnJake

Orienteering

“I loved watching the kids learn and have so much fun doing it.” -Kate

Acid River

“Everyone of us had to contribute to get across the river and reach our goal… when we accomplished it together, it felt really great!” -Kylee

RYLA Olympics

“RYLA taught me that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest or most confident person. It can mean listening, showing kindness and lifting someone else up.” -Kenzie

The 3^rd special ingredient was added in 2026 and became a big hit. It was the Mentoring sessions, where each adult volunteer shared a skill and / or passion and handed out business cards to maintain the connection as mentors. The volunteers represented a myriad of interesting life experiences and the campers soaked up their wisdom and knowledge. Mentoring sessions included: Business Ownership, Coaching & Sports Psychology, College Applications & Scholarships, Criminal Justice, Fitness Training, Goal Setting, International Travel, Money Matters, Networking, Public Speaking, Teaching & Schooling

“I led a session called Money Matters to talk about things like saving, budgeting, borrowing, and credit rating. I wasn’t sure there would be much interest but the campers were engaged for the full 90 minutes.” -Sid

PS: We need your expertise. Come join us next year!

The last main ingredient is Youth Leading Youth and the RYLA Connection.

There is year-long, well planned training agenda where legacy leaders are developed to return to lead the next crop of excited youth. Last year’s campers apply to become Junior Counselors, going through a rigorous interview process (led by the previous year’s JC leaders), then have monthly training sessions before camp begins. Leadership and responsibility grow at every stage of this process. Young adults keep returning to make RYLA even better. 

A few examples of the RYLA connection include the current Director Nicole. She began as a RYLA camper in Arizona where she won the AZ Service Before Self Award, returned as a JC, and began adult volunteering in college. When she married and her career brought her to Colorado, she began volunteering at RYLA in the Rockies. She brought all of her outdoor education and law enforcement experience with her into the Director’s role. She has supercharged the curriculum to include experiential learning and brought passionate energy into the role. Nicole was just recently named District 5470 Rotarian of the Year for 2025 – 2026.

Another great example of the RYLA connection is Eli. He started as a RYLA camper, came back as a JC, then as a JC Coordinator, and then as Co-Director. Eli has travelled the world while making Rotarian connections, is the Rotaract District Leader at his college, and is currently spearheading a Rotarian Service Project in Ukraine.

Please see Eli’s article in last month’s Newsletter for more information: https://rotary5470.com/Stories/from-ryla-to-ukraine

Some other vital volunteers that exemplify Youth Leading Youth Are: 

Gabe, who was a 2025 RYLA Service Above Self Award winner and is President of the Pueblo Interact Club. He was personally mentored by 5470 District Governor Donna Hood and then brought the mentoring idea back to RYLA. Ella (who is Co-Director for the 2^nd year), Brailey, and Rhian all started as campers and have devoted over 4 years in various leadership positions. 

Finally, as camp ends, the Secret Sauce Topping caps the camper’s experiences. RYLA includes 5 Service Before Self Awards to campers who exemplify this attitude throughout, and 1 Magic of Leadership Award to the outstanding JC. In closure, campers write a “Letter to Self”, in which Nicole collects their letters in sealed self-addressed envelopes and mails them to the campers six months after camp. Campers and adults post messages of thanks and gratitude on the “Gratitude Sticky Note Wall” never failing to elicit emotions. Most importantly, this powerful closure provides the symbolism for propelling 3 days of fun leadership training into building Rotarians for life!

“I’m committed to using the skills I gained at RYLA to make a positive impact on the world.” -Zofia 

The Magic Continues: RYLA 2027

Every camp comes together through a partnership consisting of Rotary clubs, the RYLA board, adult volunteers, school administrators, and the campers. Not long after camp ends, the RYLA board gets busy planning camp for the following year. Now is the time for Rotary clubs to engage for RYLA 2027.

Call To Action to All Rotary Clubs in District 5470
Join Us / How to Get Involved

• Support your club to sponsor 2-4 campers
• Club leaders locate good candidates from your community
  (contact RYLAD5470@gmail.com if you want help with high school counselor contacts) 
• Become an Adult Volunteer
• Become a Mentor – offer your skill or passion at the 90 minute mentoring session