RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, is an engaging and intensive 4-day leadership event that connects you with like-minded individuals. This fully sponsored program is for individuals 18-30 residing in the communities from Hope to Port Coquitlam in Canada and Blaine/Sumas to Everett in Washington State.

RYLA programs often include a variety of activities such as workshops, group discussions, team-building exercises, public speaking practice, and interactive sessions led by experienced leaders and facilitators. The goal is to develop leadership skills and foster a sense of responsibility and community involvement. The exact schedule of RYLA will be provided on the first day of the program.

RYLA is for anyone between the ages of 18 – 30 that are emerging or already experienced leader. We are strict with our age group, meaning you must be at least 18 years old by May 28, 2026.

RYLA is an exciting opportunity to have fun, develop your leadership skills, make lasting friendships, develop personally, and grow as a leader. The RYLA program is entirely organized and facilitated by past RYLA participants who found it a life-changing and enormously positive experience.

From the moment you arrive, facilitators will greet and introduce you to others and then lead you through the weekend's activities in small groups. RYLA Attendees are very diverse – we welcome everyone! Whether you are new to the leadership journey and just putting your toe in the water as to how you might be able to grow as a leader OR you are a seasoned artist, athletic leader, or gamer extraordinaire with a lot to give and a wee bit of hesitation as to how – if you believe you could benefit from having your leadership potential recognized as you are, please join us!

Generally, participants are in contact with a local Rotary Club which will provide sponsorship and vouch for their participation in RYLA.

If you do not have a sponsoring Rotary Club, completing your application form will be the first step in getting selected.

The RYLA committee will then review the application and if you are successful, will work with you to find a sponsoring Rotary club. There are only 60 spots available for participants.

The full sponsorship from a Rotary club covers fees related to your participation, including registration fees, meals, accommodations, and supplies. The registration fees sponsoring clubs pay are $550 CAD or $450 USD.

Since we solicit and collect donations from the Rotary Clubs and community partners, the RYLA Committee is obligated to be responsible stewards of these donations.

The generosity and support from Rotary clubs is extraordinary. Cancelled registrations put a strain on the sponsoring Rotary club(s). Here is a small sampling of what a Rotary club's sponsorship is worth to other initiatives and projects they support:

• 175 children fully immunized against polio
• 1 student's food insecurity backpacks for an entire school year
• Scholarships
• Local community initiatives towards literacy
• International projects supporting water and sanitation projects

Thursday May 28 (arrival is from 12:00pm - 2:00pm) to Sunday May 31, 2026 (ending by 2:00pm). Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to others and does not give you the full benefit of the program. As a condition of attending RYLA, you must commit to attending the entire 4 days/3 nights of the program.

For RYLA 2026 we have rented the beautiful Stillwood Camp & Conference Center in Chilliwack, BC. All accommodations and food will be provided (all dietary restrictions/needs can be accommodated, based on what's completed in your application form!).

The shared accommodations are camp-style bunk rooms that sleep 3 - 5. Rooms will be separated by gender. Each room is equipped with its own 3 piece bathroom.

The delicious food will be served in the facility's dining hall. You will be provided with snacks, along with the following meals:

• Thursday: Dinner
• Friday: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
• Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
• Sunday: Breakfast, Lunch

At RYLA, we have three expectations of you throughout the weekend: ATTEND, PARTICIPATE, and HAVE FUN!!

After the weekend is over (and you are sad to leave – we promise you will be!), the Rotary club that sponsored you will reach out to ask you to share your thoughts about your experience at RYLA with them. Rotarians are super accommodating and will ensure you feel comfortable sharing your RYLA experience.

A specific packing list will be sent to participants closer to the date. Participants should expect to bring toiletries, clothing for 4 days (warm clothing at night is recommended), close-toed shoes, sleeping bag and pillow.

Bring an item that says something about you. i.e. musical instrument, craft, hobby, particular interest, vocation etc. You may wish to use the item when introducing yourself on the first day of the program.

Based on the location of the facility, cell service is limited. As a program requirement, we ask that participants do not use their devices for the duration of the event.

Rotary is one of the largest volunteer service organizations in the world! Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.

Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through community and international service projects.

No! Full Stop. Rotary is a non-political, non-religious humanitarian organization. To learn more about Rotary, visit www.rotary.org.