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Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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  • Youth leadership development
  • Youth personal growth
  • Youth mental well-being through social connections

  • An official Rotary program since 1971
  • 2025: the 39th annual RYLA for SF, San Mateo, & Marin counties
  • FREE thanks to the support from local Rotary clubs

Rotary Youth Leadership Academy

July 28 – August 1 2025

Redwood Glen Camp & Conference Center �Scotts Valley (near Santa Cruz)

  • Five-day residential camp experience

  • 150 students from 45 high schools

  • Open to all current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in SF, San Mateo, & Marin counties

  • Total of 60 volunteer staff �(facilitators, alumni & support staff)

Camp History

Camp Goals

Camp Facts

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Camp themes

The five practices of exemplary leadership

Leadership styles

A hero’s journey

From The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner

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What happens at camp?

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Team-building

Ropes course

Collaborative mural art

Team reflections

Final night skits

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Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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Personal growth

Leadership in action personal development workshops:�Money management, Life after high school, Public speaking, Planning projects,�and more!

All-camp plenary sessions with guest speakers on topics that matter to youth,�such as:�Climate change�Homelessness

Mental health

Alumni and student�campfire testimonials

The first overnight camp for many students

Making friends from across the Bay Area

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Fun! Friends! Joy!

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Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Impact: word cloud of 2024 students’ highlights

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Impact: 2024 students’ survey results

  1. I see myself as a leader.
  2. I feel confident to lead when opportunities arise. 
  3. I have a desire to pursue leadership roles.
  4. I am more likely to act in a way that is consistent with my values.

A I’m more comfortable expressing my appreciation for the � good work of others.�B I know how to help people see the big picture when � working on a project.

C I know how to build effective relationships among the � people I work with.

D I feel capable of communicating goals with clarity � around goals and tasks.

As a result of RYLA, I ……

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Impact: campers & alumni in their own words

“I feel more confident and see myself as a leader.”

“I made a ton of great friends!”

“I feel like I am finally seen and heard and that I matter.”

“RYLA saved my life.”

“I used to struggle to get out of bed. Now I’m ready to take on the world!”

“I love RYLA!!”

“I found my tribe at RYLA.”

“RYLA HAS BEEN THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE!!!”

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Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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A day in the life of RYLA

8:00am - 8:30am Breakfast

9:00am - 10:15am Team-building activities

10:15am -10:45am Break

10:45am – 12:00pm Team-building activities

12:15pm – 12:45pm Lunch

1:00pm – 2:00pm Plenary session

2:15pm – 3:15pm Personal development workshops

3:15pm – 5:30pm Activities/break

(4:45pm – 5:15) (Staff meeting)

5:30pm – 6:00pm Dinner

6:30pm – 8:00pm Team meetings: reflect, debrief and skit prep

8:15pm – 10:00pm Campfire

10:00pm – 11:00pm Karaoke dance jam, stargazing, or cabin time

11:00pm All campers in cabins

11:45pm Campers lights out

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Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Camp staff

60+ RYLA staff

  • Serve as unpaid volunteers.
  • Undergo interviews and receive Rotary Youth Protection Certification.

Facilitators (30+)

  • A mix of college students, working professionals and retirees.
  • Work in pairs to guide a team of 10 students through RYLA.

Alumni (20+)

  • Current high school or college students.
  • Help lead camp activities and share their stories of RYLA and its impact.

Support staff (10+)

  • Two registered nurses.
  • One certified youth wellness coach.
  • Logistical and operations staff

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Redwood Glen Camp & Conference Center

Scotts Valley (near Santa Cruz)

Accommodation

Student cabins�Bunk beds�10 to 12 students per cabin�Central showers & bathrooms�Gender-based

Alumni oversee student cabins

Facilitators

Motel-like or cabin room on the other side of camp

Other facilities

  • Large and small meeting rooms
  • Dining hall
  • Swimming pool
  • Sports field
  • Amphitheater and stage
  • Rec room
  • Picnic tables, hammocks, and gazebos
  • Hiking trails

Cell phones

  • Cell phone coverage is very limited.
  • WiFi access is restricted to certain times of the day.  

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Transportation

  • RYLA arranges free buses to and from camp.

  • One location each in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin for pick-up and drop-off.

  • Early Monday morning pick-up.

  • Late Friday afternoon drop-off to same location.

  • Students can be dropped off and picked up directly to camp but needs to be coordinated with RYLA staff.

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Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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Student eligibility

  • Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties.

  • Current 8th graders and seniors are not eligible.

  • Previous leadership experience is welcome but not required.

  • Attend camp all five days from July 28 to August 1.

  • An attitude of respect, open-mindedness, flexibility, and commitment are the essential qualities of students at RYLA.

  • Recognize RYLA is both an academy of learning, requiring effort and reflection, and a fun-filled experience to make new friends.

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Orange�R255,G118,B0

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Application process

  • Apply to www.ryla.camp by April 15.

  • Space is limited to the first 150 students. Camp may reach capacity before the application deadline.

  • Short application form. No references or essays.

  • No application fee or deposit. RYLA is free!

  • Offer letter sent within about two weeks of your application with two agreement forms to be completed.

  • Agreement forms must be signed both by the student and a parent/guardian.

  • Receipt of both signed forms and confirmation from RYLA is the only way to secure your place at RYLA.

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June and July activities in the lead-up to the camp

  • Online pre-departure information sessions.

  • Complete a leadership animal style survey.

  • Details of bus transport sent.

  • Information sent on what to pack and bring to camp.

  • If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend camp, contact RYLA immediately.

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Gold�R247,G168,B27

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What to bring to camp

  • An open mind and a positive attitude.

  • T-shirts and shorts for warm days, hoodies and sweats for cool nights.�All students receive one RYLA t-shirts to wear the first and last days of camp.

  • Tennis shoes, swimwear.

  • Sleeping bag/sheets and blanket, pillow, towel.

  • Flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, hat.

  • Medications.

  • Snacks for the bus ride down, but once at camp RYLA feeds you well!

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Resources & Contacts

www.ryla.camp

RYLA YouTube Channel

General enquiries:

hello@ryla.camp

Instagram @rylasfmarinsanmateo

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Thank you!

Question and answer session

RYLA affirmation bags

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Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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