At the August 18, 2022, Melissa Rotary Club meeting, Rotary District 5810 2022 Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp participants told Rotarians how they came to “Reach for the Future” from their experience at Camp RYLA May 29-June 3, this year. These award recipients recommended that the incoming MISD juniors get involved in the Melissa InterAct Club and apply for the upcoming 2023 RYLA camp awards in order to participate in the ultimate leadership training experience.
Those involved with Texas youth, or anyone wanting to find out how a 2022-23 high school junior you know can get involved, keep in touch with the MHS Interact Club and Melissa Rotary Club. The MHS Interact club brings together Melissa students ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills and learn about the world through service projects and activities.
RYLA Rotary District 5810 seeks to develop a diverse group of servant leaders by instilling life-long leadership skills and a commitment to service above self. RYLA cultivates an environment for learning and personal growth driven by intentional programming with an emphasis on teamwork and communication. With core themes of authenticity, inclusivity, and belonging, RYLA strives to empower leaders to make a positive impact in their communities.
Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is a week-long leadership program for high school juniors from the eight North Texas counties included in District 5810, based on the principle that, “Strong leaders are made, not born. Leadership principles are learned, not inherited.”
Thus, the mission of Camp RYLA is to provide intense, impactful leadership training for high school juniors so they can apply their improved leadership skills through service during their senior year and throughout life.
Each Camp RYLA camper is selected and sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Rotary International District 5810 covering eight counties in North Texas, including Collin County.
To receive the Camp RYLA scholarship, applicants must be high school juniors who have shown leadership or educational promise in one or more areas of high school. Applicants are interviewed and selected by a Rotary Club committee to fill the 185 available spots in the annual camp.
Over the past 29 years, Camp RYLA has recruited, encouraged, and supported over 5,500 students from North Texas to become better leaders. Students interested in becoming a RYLArian should contact their counselor or campus college and career coordinator for application information.
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