RYLA History
In 1959, the state government of Queensland, Australia, invited local Rotarians to help plan a festival celebrating Queensland’'s upcoming centenary. Learning that Queen Elizabeth II was sending her cousin Princess Alexandra, who was in her early 20s, to the celebration, Rotarians planned activities specifically for the princess' age group.
The gundoo, an aboriginal word meaning "festival" or "fun together," was a rousing success. More than 300 men and women between the ages of 17 and 23 attended. Encouraged by the event's popularity with the young attendees, Rotarians saw potential to create a similar annual youth program. With little hesitation, Governor Art Brand of then-District 230 approved the project, and on 2 May 1960, RYLA was born.
The Camp RYLA committee of Rotary District 7610 (Northern/Central Virginia) has elected to focus on high school juniors who will be entering their senior year next fall. This will allow participants to share their leadership skills and the information they glean from RYLA with their student bodies over the next year.
RYLA participants are selected on the basis of academic excellence and their potential to be leaders in their schools and their communities.
Relationships developed at past RYLA camps have lead to lifelong friendships among many of the participants.
Rotary District 7610
District Governor
Jon Allan
Rotary Club of Burke
571-218-5551
RYLA Chairmen
Dan Radtke
Rotary Club of Bull Run
(703) 283-9540
Sept 23-25 2011
Rotary District 7610
Prince William Forest Park
Camp Contact Phone Numbers
7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - (703) 221-7161
After hours – 1-800-NPS-6677
Camp Director (703) 283-9540
Camp Dates
Opens 4:00 p.m., Sept 23, 2011
Closes 3:00 p.m., Sept 25, 2011
Application Deadline
September 13, 2011
Camp RYLA 2011 Agenda
Friday, Sept 23, 2011
4:00 p.m. - Registration
5:00 p.m. – Welcome, Agenda & Workgroups
6:00 p.m. - Retreat Ceremony
6:15 p.m. - Pizza Party (Catered)
7:00 p.m. - Safety Briefing
7:30 p.m. - Rotary Welcome
8:00 p.m. - Patriotism and Flag Etiquette
9:30 p.m. - Team Building Activity
10:30 p.m. - Cabin Time
11:00 p.m. - Lights Out
Saturday, Sept 25, 2011
7:00 a.m. – Wake-up Call
7:15 a.m. - Aerobics
7:30 a.m. - Posting of the Colors
7:45 a.m. - Breakfast (Catered)
8:15 a.m. - Goal Setting/Time Management
9:30 a.m. - Shelterbox Presentation
10:30 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. - Fundamentals of Leadership
12:00 p.m. - Lunch (Catered)
1:00 p.m.- Team Building Activity
2:00 p.m. - Ethics of Positive Leadership
3:15 p.m. - Break
3:30 p.m. - Communication Skills
4:45 p.m.. - Free time/Games
6:00 p.m. - Retire the Colors (Retreat)
6:30 p.m. - Dinner (Catered)
7:00 p.m. - Team Building Activity
8:00 p.m. - Ice Cream Social
8:30 p.m. - Rotary Youth Programs
10:00 p.m. - Team Building Activity
10:30 p.m. - Cabin Time
11:00 p.m. - Lights Out
Sunday, Sept 25, 2011
7:00 a.m. - Wake-up Call
7:15 a.m. - Aerobics
7:30 a.m. - Posting of the Colors
7:45 a.m. - Breakfast (Catered)
8:30 a.m. - Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution
10:00 a.m. - Break
10:15 a.m. - Building Self Confidence/Self
Esteem
11:45 p.m. – Camp Clean up
12:30 p.m. - Barbeque Lunch (Catered)
Graduation
1:00 p.m. - Cabin Camp & Workgroup Presentations
2:00 p.m. - Closing Comments
2:30 p.m. - Presentations
3:00 p.m. – Retreat & Departure
The agenda presented here is subject to
refinements and changes.
What to bring to Camp RYLA
Sleeping bag, pillow
Toiletries & soap
Bath towel & wash cloth
Flashlight & extra batteries
Gloves & warm hat
Travel alarm clock
Lip balm & sunglasses
Jeans, sweats or slacks
Rain gear
Water resistant walking shoes
Inexpensive camera & film
Warm sleepwear
Long-sleeved shirts
Pen or pencil
Changes of underwear
Several pair of socks
A sense of humor!!
Pack all of your gear in a duffel bag or other
suitable luggage that you can carry (you may
have to tote it up to 100 yards).
What NOT to bring to RYLA!
Alcohol
Cell Phones or Pagers
Cigarettes
Firearms
Fire Crackers
Illegal Drugs
Matches or lighters
Radios or Walkmans
Sheath knives
Sling shots
Televisions
Valuables/Jewelry/etc.
Video games
Virtual Pets
Any violation of the rules of the camp and/or of R.Y.L.A. will immediately require your parents or guardian to come and remove you from R.Y.L.A.