This document provides an overview of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference held from March 12-15, 2015 at Camp Edwards in Wisconsin. RYLA is a leadership conference for high school students that includes speakers, team-building activities, and small group discussions to help students develop leadership skills. The document outlines the schedule, list of speakers, activities, and concludes by emphasizing how the conference inspires participants and helps them realize their potential as future leaders.

1. 1
Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards
RYLA
March 12-15, 2015
Cindy Coleman

2. 2
Table of Contents
Introduction (3)
Timeline (3)
Schedule (4)
Speakers (7)
Activities (8)
Other Facilitators (9)
Facilitator vs. Participant (10)
Conclusion (12)

3. 3
Introduction
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership conference that allows high
school students opportunities to reflect on their personality and leadership style and helps
them enable their talents that well best benefit themselves and their community. It is held
at Camp Edwards in East Troy WI, and is sponsored by local Rotary clubs. Speakers from
all around the nation come to talk to these young adults to inspire and have them be more
knowledgeable of the world around them. These students also experience advanced team
building exercises and participate in small group discussions as well as large group
activities.
In order to be selected for this leadership conference, students not only need to
apply, but they also need to be suggested to go from advisors, teachers, coaches, or
principals. They need to make a resume, fill out a questioner and wright an essay.
Students can be sponsored through schools or their local rotary clubs. It is an extremely
selective process.
I have been a RYLA participant twice in the past. I was moved by the speakers and
facilitators that challenged me to become the best kind of leader that I could. Four years
later as a recreation major, I was reflecting on the time spent at Camp Edwards, then got
the idea to try and be a facilitator for this amazing purpose. As fate has it I was permitted
and had an experience of a lifetime.
Timeline
2014
9/15- Initial email to Lake Park Principal to get in contact with RYLA director
9/17- Sean Nelson, RYLA Director, contacts me confirming my facilitator position.
12/29- RYLA information confirmed and commitment to March session
2015
1/26- Convince Sean to take on another facilitator, Cat Jewers
3/6- Final liability paperwork turned in
3/11- Staff dinner in Elgin, IL
3/12-3/15- March RYLA session

4. 4
Schedule
2015 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Conference Program - Agenda for both sessions
Session I – March 12-15 &SessionII April 16-19
Thursday March12 & April 16
7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Arrive byCoach Bus- Settle in AssignedRooms
8:00 – 8:30 p.m. Snack & Social MicklewrightLodge
8:30 – 9:00 p.m. Announcements MicklewrightLodge
9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Small GroupMeetings VariousLocations
10:00 p.m. Go To AssignedRooms AssignedLodging
11:00 p.m. Lightsout
Friday March13 & April 17
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast MicklewrightLodge
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Ice Breaker MicklewrightLodge
9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Presentation#1…. Mr. Rick Metzger Runge Lodge
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Small GroupMeetings VariousLocations
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch MicklewrightLodge
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Team Building StationsinWoods
1:45 – 4:30 p.m. Presentation#2...... Mr.Rick Metzger Runge Lodge
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Small GroupMeetings VariousLocations
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Dinner MicklewrightLodge

5. 5
6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Break VariousLocations
6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Presentation#3…….Mr.Joey Feinstein MicklewrightLodge
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Small Group& SkitPreparations VariousLocations
9:00 – 9:45 p.m. Campfire &Smores OutdoorAmphitheatre
9:45 – 11:00 p.m. Free Time
11:00 – 12:00 a.m. Go To Assigned Rooms AssignedLodging
Midnight Lightsout
Conference Program - Agenda for both sessions
(Continued)
Saturday March 14 & April 18
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast MicklewrightLodge
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Presentation#3….Mr.Tom Carroll Runge Lodge
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Presentation#4.…Mr.JohnHuston MicklewrightLodge
11:30 – 12:00 p.m. Small GroupsMeetings VariousLocations
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch MicklewrightLodge
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Team Building Low Ropes Courses
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Presentation#5Erin Cahill MicklewrightLodge
2:30 - 3:00 p.m. PhotosOutside Basketball Court
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Presentation#6…Rachel’sChallenge MicklewrightLodge
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Small GroupMeetings VariousLocations
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Free Time VariousLocations
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Dinner MicklewrightLodge
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. SkitPreparations VariousLocations

6. 6
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. SkitPerformances MicklewrightLodge
9:00 – 12:00 a.m. Dance (DJ) MicklewrightLodge
12:30 – 1:00 a.m. RoomTime AssignedLodging
1:00 a.m. Lightsout
Sunday March15 & April 19
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Breakfast MicklewrightLodge
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. What isRotary….SeanNelson MicklewrightLodge
10:15 – 11:15 Last Group Meetings VariousLocations
11:15 - Noon Pack,Free Time & Shirt signing VariousLocations
Noon - 1:00 Lunch MicklewrightLodge
1:00 Departure

7. 7
Speakers:
Every year there are a number of speakers that come to present at RYLA. Some
have been part of the conference for years, while others are new each time. One of
the returning speakers is Rick Metzger. He has known Sean for a long time and has
been coming back to RYLA for over a decade. What he presents and what he brings
out in the participants is so moving and beneficial. He is the type of speaker that
even if you have heard the same story a dozen times you can learn something new
the next time you hear it. He challenges the participants to have an open heart and to
achieve what seems to be impossible. The stories he shares from his own life, from
his Olympic weight lifting metals to his injuries when he had been told multiple times
that he would never walk again, he inspires everyone around him to become the best
person they possibly can. He encourages to spread positive thinking and happiness
to the world through actions and words. “Drink, swear, lie, and steal. Drink from the
fountain of life, swear to make a difference, lie in bed with satisfaction, steal time.”
Another repeat speaker is Mia Fontaine. She reveals her past to the world
about her previous drug addiction and what her mother and she went through to get
past it and make a good life. It exemplifies how even when life is horrible and there
seems like there is no way out, with enough love and determination anyone can
achieve happiness. I particularly had an increased interest in her presentation this year
due to recent events within my home life. Listening to her speak brought new light to a
few different subject matters.
Rachel’s Challenge comes every year. A girl named Rachel who was one of the
victims of the Columbine school shooting lived by a code. She believed that one
small act of kindness can make a ripple effect and spread. They challenge the
participants to love deeply and do just one small act of kindness and watch it spread.
One of the speakers that is more new to RYLA was Tom Carroll. He spoke on
how generations affect the work place. He talked about how it is up to them, the
young adults, to realize this difference and use it to the best of their ability. He
challenges them to make differences in themselves to be the best that they can be in
the professional world.

8. 8
Activities:
A big part of being at this conference is participating in team building
activities. Throughout the camp there are stations that each have a different task.
Depending on how difficult or easy facilitators want to make the course they have
the ability to have their group members engage in a number of different obstacles.
Some activities included trust falls, low rope courses, “Hot Lava”, 10 Foot Wall,
“Giant Finger”, Heli-hoop, etc. While some are commonly known activities others
are specific to Camp Edwards. All of these activities were done in small groups
that were assigned on the first night. This encouraged team work and problem
solving skills.
A few large group activities were done as well, with all the participants at the
camp. At one point Rick Metzger, one of the previously stated speakers,
facilitated personality tests that allowed the participants to realize what kind of
leaders they are and learn new things about their personal style. Another large
group activity was one called DinoRYLA. The aspect of the activity was that three
teams had the goal of bringing small toy dinosaurs from one point to another to
receive points. Each participant was given very a specific job with instructions on
what to do. The concept was that each of the tree teams had a different collection
rate of the small toys; one team was extremely fast, another at a moderate pace,
and finally one very slow. It is intended to make participants frustrated and
aggravated. This exercise has only been done with a few large companies, and
according to the facilitators the RYLA participants demonstrated better
complacency than the full grown business men. The previous participants ended
up getting so upset they began to bribe other teams to give them their dinosaurs.
The RYLA participants did the game with ease. The main focus of the activity was
the break down. Different scenarios were proposed as to why some teams could
get so many points while the others were struggling so badly. It was impressive to
say the least.

9. 9
Other Facilitators:
Some veteran facilitators really stood out. I had the opportunity to meet
some of the most lively people who have such passion for helping others. Sean
Nelson, the director of RYLA, has such a generous heart that you cannot help but
be astonished at how kind he is. He appreciates everyone’s efforts and does not
allow them to go unnoticed.
Marv, a fellow Rotarian to Sean, was the one of the most surprising people I
have ever met. Being the oldest one at the conference, he had more life in him
than people half his age. I will never be able to forget the sight of him leaping
across the basketball court to get to the group picture. The word “sprightly” was
used very often when referring to him. Not only did he have so much energy, but
he was truly there to care. Sitting down for one conversation with him, Marv will
be able to absorb and acknowledge almost all of the information you tell about
yourself. He is one of the few people I know that actually listens.
The facilitator that I had had in the past was still involved in RYLA, and he
was able to inspire me even more than he already had in the past. Eric, also
known as Grizz, inspires RYLA participants every year with his sassy attitude and
joking demeanor that has a way to capture the attention of everyone who
surrounds him. However, Grizz had an unfortunate stroke of fate; when he was
diagnosed with cancer, he lost his leg. Even though before this weekend he had
not walked more than 100 feet on his own, he came to camp and walked all
around the grounds. He was accommodated with a four wheeler to make it a little
easier, however, even when most people would not even consider coming to this
event under his conditions, he proved that strength is not always physical, but
spiritual as well. Grizz is a true hero.
All of the RYLA staff had something that made them memorable, and I am
so grateful that I have had the opportunity to engage in conversation with them

10. 10
and be part of this amazing foundation that brings out the best in all who
participate.
Facilitator vs. Participant
Being a participant I was able to learn about myself and realize how much
potential I have to make a difference. My actions affect the world around me and
that can either be negative or for a greater good. I met a lot of people my age
that have similar beliefs and created a team that could accomplish anything if we
truly put our minds to it.
As a facilitator I was able to bring the same experience to others. I was
able to watch as my small group break down barriers and became a true team.
Even listing to the same speakers that I had in the past, I was able to take so
much more away from what they presented due to recent events and deeper
understandings.
Both experiences were amazing, however, due to my nature being able to
watch everyone benefit from RYLA as I had, it brought more joy, accomplishment,
and pride.

11. 11

12. 12
Conclusion
RYLA is a true blessing. It is an amazing journey that enables you to be
your true self and makes you realize how amazing you truly are. It is impossible to
leave there without having taken anything away. The people you meet and interact
with touch your sole and make you a better person in every sense. In just one
weekend participants learn more about themselves than they had in their entire
lives. The people that get to take this adventure are inspirations themselves and
are meant to do big things with what they learn. They are the future leaders of the
world and have the ability to make changes that could only be dreamed of
previously.
While the participants currently focus on Homecoming, prom, athletics, and
grades, they are going to take what they learn from RYLA and make their lives
have more meaning than they could have imagined. They will drink, swear, lie,
and steal. RYLA makes you into the best person you possibly can be, and I am
honored that I was able to look at the event with a different pair of eyes.
In the recreation field it is imperative to never lose sight of why we do what
we do. This path chose us because we were meant to bring joy to others and
make a difference in lives. I think that a lot of professionals lose sight of this and
become too greedy or too naive. One big thing I have realized about this
profession is that we look at the real world with optimism. While other majors look
at classmates and see their competition, we see coworkers. There is so much
love and passion for the profession, and RYLA helped me see how much that
positivity can truly make a change in lives.
Why isit everytime
I do this my hair
keeps disappearing
more?