3–5 days
RYLA Camp
An interactive, experiential weekend that introduces Jr. High and High School students to Rotary International through FUN LeaderShops, outdoor TEAM building, and social bonding.
Rotary District 6510 · Southern Illinois
The FUN-Damentals of Leadership
RYLA — Rotary Youth Leadership Awards — is a global program that teaches leadership through service. Teamwork, Leadership, and Connections, packed into a weekend students never forget.
Fall 2026 registration is open · deadline September 30, 2026
What is RYLA?
Leadership through service
RYLA is a global youth leadership program that encourages Service Above Self and teaches leadership through service — focusing on Teamwork, Leadership, and Connections (TLC).
It is also one of the largest, most fun, interactive, and successful student leadership training programs in the world.
½ or full day
Mini-RYLA
We bring the leadership program to your school, community, or Rotary club during the school day — indoor team building and LeaderShops built for a single session.
Past graduates
Student Counselors
RYLA Camp graduates return as student counselors, leading small groups and putting Service Above Self into practice for the next class of student leaders.
2026 Schedule
RYLA events
March 6, 2026
Mini-RYLA Program
American Legion — Steeleville, IL
A one-day leadership program brought straight to the school and community, built around FUN LeaderShops and indoor team building.
LeaderShopAll dayApril 17 – 19, 2026
2026 Spring RYLA Camp
Camp Hope — Ewing, IL
A full weekend retreat of leadership training, outdoor team building, and social bonding for Jr. High and High School students.
LeaderShopsWeekend RetreatOctober 9 – 11, 2026
2026 Fall RYLA Camp
Camp Hope — Ewing, IL
Our flagship fall weekend camp. Registration is open now, with a deadline of September 30, 2026.
LeaderShopsWeekend Retreat
Camp life
What a weekend looks like
Who’s that RYLA guy?
Carl Thomas Berry
- Rotary Youth Leadership
- Chair — reigniting and redesigning RYLA in Southern Illinois.
- Rotary Lebanon Club
- Past President — Service Above Self in daily action.
- Professor of Psychology
- 26+ years teaching education and psychology courses.
- Board of Education
- 10-year elected official, 2 years as President.
- Leadership Development
- Director of a college leadership program for campus leaders.
- Boy Scouts of America
- Cubmaster — 3 years of scouting activities and practical skills.
Student registration
Everything a student and parent needs to sign up for the Fall 2026 camp.
Start registrationCamp materials
Guidelines, club letters, sponsorship forms, and the counselor application.
View downloadsClub sponsorships
Rotary clubs commit sponsorships and name the students they are sending.
Sponsor a student