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Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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

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  • 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)

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  • Five-day residential camp experience

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  • 150 students from 45 high schools

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

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  • 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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Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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What happens at camp?

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Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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Team-building

Ropes course

Collaborative mural art

Team reflections

Final night skits

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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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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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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Fun! Friends! Joy!

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Azure�R0,G93,B170

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Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

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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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Impact: 2024 students’ survey results

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  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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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Impact: campers & alumni in their own words

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

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“I made a ton of great friends!”

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

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“RYLA saved my life.”

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

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“I love RYLA!!”

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“I found my tribe at RYLA.”

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

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Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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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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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

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.

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Facilitators (30+)

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

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Alumni (20+)

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

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Support staff (10+)

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

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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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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.  

Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Transportation

  • RYLA arranges free buses to and from camp.

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

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  • Early Monday morning pick-up.

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  • Late Friday afternoon drop-off to same location.

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

Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Student eligibility

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

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  • Current 8th graders and seniors are not eligible.

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  • Previous leadership experience is welcome but not required.

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

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

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  • 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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Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Application process

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

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

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  • Short application form. No references or essays.

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  • No application fee or deposit. RYLA is free!

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

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

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

Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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

  • Online pre-departure information sessions.

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  • Complete a leadership animal style survey.

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  • Details of bus transport sent.

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

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

Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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What to bring to camp

  • An open mind and a positive attitude.

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  • 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.

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  • Tennis shoes, swimwear.

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

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  • Flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, hat.

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  • Medications.

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

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Royal Blue�R23,G69,B143

Azure�R0,G93,B170

Sky Blue �R1,G180,B231

Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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Resources & Contacts

www.ryla.camp

RYLA YouTube Channel

General enquiries:

hello@ryla.camp

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Instagram @rylasfmarinsanmateo

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Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

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Thank you!

Question and answer session

RYLA affirmation bags

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Violet�R135,G33,B117

Orange�R255,G118,B0

Gold�R247,G168,B27

Cranberry�R217,G27, B92

Turquoise�R0,G153,B153

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