Each year, thousands of young people take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Young people are chosen for their leadership potential to attend an all-expenses-paid camp to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event’s curriculum.

RYLA aims to:

• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth;
• Encourage youth to make a difference in their communities through volunteer work and social responsibility; and
• Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth.

RYLA was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, and is one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service. RYLA programs often lead to the formation or strengthening of Rotaract and Interact clubs. RYLA participants often go on to become Youth Exchange students or Ambassadorial Scholars.