RYLA 2013 Students Share Update Club Members on their Trip

The club was very happy to welcome 8 of the 10 students that we sponsored to attend RYLA 2013 in Pennsylvania.  RYLA is a week long camp where young people learn leadership skills and team building.  As one student reminded us "Teams make leaders and leaders make a team".

The students came from several local high schools with 4 of them from Midland Park High School, 2 from Ramapo, 1 from Bergen Catholic and 1 from Waldwick High School.  Their cameraderie was evident and their energy was infectious. 

A few of the things they noted was how they had to let go of all electronics for he week - no texting, no internet and surprisingly - they loved it!!  The group of approximately 120 attendees were able to bond as a group.  "One of the first lessons we learned was the importance of a name", commented Gabrielle Spezia.  They each had to spend time getting to know each persons name and this simple exercise showed them how respect for another can grow just by spending the time to learn and remember their name.

One telling moment was when Rotary members asked each of them to summarize the week in one word.   Instantly they formed a circle and huddled as if they were at Giants stadium.  They came back with the word that 'they' had chosen. which was 'Inspirational'.  It was almost as if their collective identity was much more imporant than their individuality.

Inspirational may have been the word to describe their week, but it was also the word we would use to describe their morning presentation to us.

If you are a High School student and would like to be 'inspired' by attending next year, please reach out to your schools Rotary Interact club to apply.

Find the full list of attendees and more information on RYLA  Click Here