RYLA 2025

Rotary Club of La Crescent
Fri May 09, 2025 at 12:00 AM - Sun May 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Add to Calendar

RYLA 2025 | May 9th-11th

What is RYLA?

Established as a Rotary Structured Program in 1971, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. The Rotary District 6250 RYLA program is a camp designed to build future leaders and Rotarians who exemplify the four way test:

  • Is it the Truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build good will and better friendships?
  • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Where and when does RYLA happen?

  • RYLA is held at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center located in Wisconsin Dells.
  • Dates: May 9-11, 2025
  • Arrival/Departure:
    • Students should arrive from 11:30am – 12:00pm on Friday, May 9th
    • RYLA will conclude at 11:00am sharp on Sunday.
    • Rotarians/Parents, should pick students up at 11:00am on Sunday, May 11th.

Who can participate?

  • Each year Rotary Clubs can sponsor sophomores from local high schools to attend. We've designed our program for sophomores and one of our top goals is for those students to go back to theirs schools and communities to put what they learn at RYLA to work for their last two years of high school!
  • Students who have attended RYLA in a previous year are encouraged to apply to come back to RYLA as a "Junior Counselor". More details on the application process are below.
  • Rotarians are also always welcome and needed to help facilitate the camp, share Rotary stories, and have fun!

What does RYLA cost my Rotary Club?

  • The cost to sponsor one student to attend the camp is $250. This registration fee is paid by the local Rotary Club.
  • Many clubs send several students. Please budget for as many students as you are willing to cover. We love to have a full camp!
  • Transportation is the local Rotary Club’s responsibility (see below).

How do students get to RYLA?

  • The sponsoring Rotary Club is to coordinate volunteers to drive their students to and from RYLA.
  • Coordination with other area clubs is highly encouraged, especially if you're sending 1-2 students.
  • The La Crosse area clubs typically coordinate a bus to send several students.
  • While we encourage the above options as the preferred method of transportation, parents/guardians are allowed to drive their students if it is the best/only option.
  • While it may be allowed in very special circumstances, we strongly discourage students from driving themselves.