Where Does RYLA Take Place?

RYLA of Rotary District 7490 is held annually at the prestigious Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, New York (www.frostvalley.org).
The Camp offers a beautiful campus, modern facilities, and a state-of-the-art Action Adventure Course program. Certified personnel guide the students through teambuilding exercises as well as individual accomplishment skills.

Students are housed in bungalow-style cabins and are provided all meals as well as transportation to and from the Camp facility. Supervision is provided by Rotarians and a highly trained staff of RYLA Counselors at an average ratio of 1 Staff Member for every 5 student participants.


What Will Our Students Experience At RYLA?

Upon arrival students are assigned to Small Groups. Each SG of 12-14 students plus 2 Counselors represents a diverse cross-section of our constituent communities, giving all of the students opportunity to meet many new people and experience a broad range of opinions in each group. Small Group will be the student’s ‘family’ for the week and a place for them to share fears, ideas, and the triumphs of each day.

Cabin groups are assigned to further encourage the students to meet as many new people as possible.

The students are also invited to choose an Action Group of their liking. From Weekbook to Talent Show, to Public Speaking to RYwitness News - each AG produces a 'deliverable' that is presented to the entire group.

Daily Guest Speakers inform and motivate the RYLAteers on a variety of special interest subjects.


What Makes Our RYLA Unique?

Renowned as one of the premier programs of its kind, RYLA 7490 takes place under the direction of Rotarians and a Sr. Rotary Advisor. Our Counselor Staff is made up of college student and young professional volunteers (ranging in age from 19-30) who must be RYLA 7490 Alumni themselves. Their firsthand knowledge of the program provides added insight to the students’ experience. Each year new alumni are hired to serve and invest into the future of RYLA.

The RYLA 7490 Counselor Staff formalized their Service activities in 2005 by receiving a Charter from Rotary Intl. as the second Internet-based Rotaract Club in the world, and the first to have evolved from a RYLA program. Rotary District 7490, is dedicated to the principles of Service Above Self and the Preparation of Tomorrow’s Leaders.


What Skills Will RYLAteers Learn And Bring Back To Their Communities?

Each RYLAteer experiences the program in a very personal way. Students return to their communities with greater self-confidence and as more open-minded individuals. With an expanded view of cultures and styles, they are better prepared to undertake the challenges of leadership.

Their new network of like-minded young adults serves as a major support system for personal decision making and future Community Service endeavors.