About

Youth Service

The purpose of Rotary’s Youth Service programs is to provide opportunities in which young people can develop leadership capabilities, learn the importance of ethical decision-making and experience the positive effects and outcomes of collaboration and team building. These programs are designed to build self-confidence to excel and become a service-based leader throughout life.

 

  • Interact –Interact is Rotary International's service club for high school students. A Rotary member and school advisor provide guidance; however, the club is self-governing and self-supporting. The students work together to complete multiple high school, community and international service projects.

  • RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is an interactive 3-day leadership training program for high school juniors. It recognizes top student leaders county-wide and provides effective leadership activities, speakers and projects designed to instill the qualities of service-based leadership.

  • LEAD – LEAD (Leadership, Aspiration, Ethics and Determination) is a leadership and personal development program for 8th grade students. Students attend a 2-day camp designed to increase self-confidence, incorporate ethical behavior and decision-making and improve leadership skills.

  • Rotary Youth Exchange – This International program consists of 3 types of international exchanges in which students spend from a few weeks up to a full year with Rotary host families. Acting as student ambassadors for their own country, they are exposed to and learn to appreciate other cultures and develop independence, confidence and cross-cultural understanding.

  • Model UN – This international program enables high school students to learn the art of diplomacy as they represent a country and debate issues adapted from U.N. resolutions. Students develop skills in conflict resolution, public speaking and ethical behavior.

  • Four-Way Test Speech Contest – An annual district-wide competition in which high school students prepare and present a speech about the application of Rotary’s Four-Way Test to current issues that affect their daily lives.

  • Rotary Instrumental Music Competition - An annual district-wide competition among high school students in which participants demonstrate their musical talent, training and love for music.

  • Youth Protection and Certification – The safety and well-being of participants, minor or adult, in each Rotary Youth Program is every Rotarian’s priority. The Youth Protection Guidelines and Certification Process is a requirement established to meet this important Rotary goal.   

  • Camp Enterprise - This camp is open to high school juniors who show interest and abilities in the concept of business enterprise, creativity and team building. Throughout the 3-day program, students develop confidence and leadership skills in the context of creating a business

For questions, contact: Rotary District 5340 Youth Service Chair: Chris Keyes