How RYLA Changes Lives

My name is Paxton K., and I was a part of this year’s RYLA. I’m reaching out to say thank you for everything you’ve done this year. My experience at RYLA was nothing but fun, and for many like myself, almost life-changing. I’ve learned a lot from all the instructors, guest speakers, facilitators, and even alumni. I hope to take everything I’ve learned from RYLA and implement it into every part of my life, from learning to live without regrets to being a trailblazer that’s able to lead others.

I have seen others as well as myself grow in the last four days. From the first day, having our phone taken away and put into a group of random people we didn’t know, to now feeling like everyone we’ve met in our group is someone we’ve known for years.

I loved how many of the games and activities were meaningful, and I specifically loved the idea behind the Minefield game. When you’re blindfolded and can only hear the people yelling in your ear, trying to mislead you, it’s hard to hear the voices of your teammates who are trying to lead you to the end safely. That game and idea are very important, especially in today’s life with so many distractions.

I wish to speak about one moment that stood out to me specifically. During the dance, one of the facilitators walked up to me and kindly asked me to invite someone to join my friends and me, as they didn’t want to see someone alone. My group and I accepted it immediately. We went to talk to them, and while we couldn’t get them to join our group, we told them some encouraging words, and later that night saw them hanging out at the party, enjoying themselves. This was not the only time I was asked to do something like this, but it is the one I love the most. The idea that a facilitator didn’t want someone to be left out is something I love, as it shows that RYLA is a community that looks out for each other.

RYLA was a life-changing experience for me, and I hope to come back as an alumnus next year, so that I can encourage and inspire the next generation as everyone did to me this year. Thank you so much for everything you did! I will never forget it!

~Paxton K.

RYLA became the highlight of my summer by establishing a strong community in a rapid amount of time and teaching practical skills effectively. I am grateful for being able to attend. From the classes to the games to the food, RYLA was an immensely impactful and enjoyable experience I will never forget.

~Cooper C.

The zoom call at RYLA showed me how even though we are far away and have many differences in language, culture, and politics, we can still be united under a common goal and cause. It was cool to see that they are just ordinary people wanting to do a little good, just like us.

~Allie M.

RYLA is such an amazing opportunity and experience! Meeting new people is always scary, but spending 3-4 days with them makes it a lot easier to get to know them. Not only that, but getting to listen to all the teachers teach us about something there passionate about is amazing. Learning about leadership had also been really beneficial as I am in a lot of areas that need that. Having our closing night speaker have such passion and such an inspiring story is truely amazing and has definitely been able to inspire me.

~Mallorie T.

RYLA inspired me to live every day intentionally! It motivated me to fulfill my personal purpose! I love how we learned to lead ourselves which helps us to lead others. I’m grateful that I could have this experience with my peers to learn and grow as the leaders and trailblazers of the rising generation!!

Thank you for all that you did to make RYLA unforgettable! I am so grateful I had this incredible experience!

~Hannah P.

RYLA is truly an amazing experience even for those who didn’t want to be there you meet the best people and connect on a deeper level and part of the reason I was able to open up is because nobody is judging you they are there to support you and my best friendships were built through RYLA so I encourage those who want to join to do so.

~Adri

Few things in life are as rewarding as impacting a life for a positive purpose. But when I get to do this for 100 young people at a time, it fills my soul. I watch dozens of students walk through our RYLA doors completely at a loss as to why they are there, and watch the same students cry at the end of camp, not wanting to leave their new friends and the positive leadership and team building atmosphere they experience. RYLA changes lives, I see it every year. Come experience it for yourself.

~Sydney H. King

My biggest takeaway from RYLA was getting out of your comfort zone and interacting with other people you may have never talked to. It was also very fun working with different people and experiencing those situations with them to problem solve.

~Xymenah A.

It was meaningful to learn how RYLA can be different but still effective and impactful in other countries. Different age groups, different training focus but still with a Rotary focus.

And of course the very best was the reactions from the Russian side when one of our students addressed them in their language!

~Scott R.

After experiencing RYLA for the first time, I was able to meet people like-minded to me. I learned that the best of anybody can be found through service to others and being part of a greater cause. Furthermore, my greatest takeaway from RYLA was the community that you can build with others, when you have a common goal. For us that was learning how to be leaders through the Rotary 4-Way Test. I’m so grateful for the experience, again, and I would love to be back next year!

~Bridger J.

RYLA is an amazing experience to meet new people and learn skills about leadership, life, and leading others. I met a lot of people at RYLA that I am so close with now, and I know we will know each other for a long time, and learn and grow from each other. RYLA was fun to see how to work with different people and how different people are and how genuinely amazing they are by being different. RYLA changed my aspect on people and life, and kindness and I suggest it to everyone and anyone. It changes things for everyone in a positive and amazing way and I love it. I can’t wait to come back next year! 🙂

~Hayli Y.

I would love to attend RYLA as an alumni, as I went last year, and I had an amazing time. I learned so much and made so many friends. I think one of my favorite parts was where you showed us the video about breaking out of our box, and chasing our dreams. Live with NO regrets. I am doing that now.

RYLA has helped me so much and I would love to come again and help others learn like I did, but I am following my dream. I am participating in a cycling race that is over 2700 miles long. Cycling is my passion, and as soon as I heard about this race, I knew I had to do it. It is a solo support race, where it is just you, and it begins on June 12. I am sad about missing this year’s RYLA, and I know you are an amazing person, and I love that you are doing this. This program is amazing, and it has helped me so much over the last year. Thank you so much for doing this, and helping people become leaders. I cannot quite describe how much I will miss it this year, I learned so much, and had an unforgettable experience.

Thank you so much!

UPDATE:

Hey, it’s been a bit, if you still remember me I’m that one guy who wrote back to you about going on that cycling race. It’s been exactly two months since I rode into the New Mexico, Mexico border station at sunset. After 19.5 days of incredibly hard racing, I became the second youngest person in the world to complete this race under racing standards. The Tour Divide Race was the hardest thing I have ever done, never before have I ever wanted to quit something so badly, but the pain of knowing that I could have kept on going would have been worse. I met so many incredible people and learned so much about myself. There were so many moments in this race when I remembered things I have been taught over the years, and I am proud to say that many of them came from RYLA.

While I wish I could have been there at the 2026 RYLA, I know that all those attending were in good hands. That leadership camp is definitely there in my most valued memories. And I know that that camp helped so many people, as it helped me. Thank you so much for doing this great work. One day I hope to be a part of it.

~Jonathan S.

When I first got to RYLA, I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy it, but by the end I had become basically a walking ad for it. The Culture Walk was the biggest turning point for me because opening up and hearing others do the same showed me how deeply you can connect with people you barely know. RYLA pushed me out of my shell, gave me amazing friendships, and genuinely changed my life for the better. I came in counting down the days until I could leave and left wishing I had more time.

~Olivia T.

I loved the opportunity to connect with our Russian RYLA friends through Zoom. It was incredible to watch young people from two different countries interact, laugh together, share their experiences, and compare what RYLA and Rotary look like in their communities. Our RYLA kids were so engaging and entertaining throughout the call!

One of my favorite moments was hearing one of the young men from Russia talk about wanting to come visit us next year and be part of our RYLA experience. It was such a great reminder that Rotary and RYLA can build friendships and connections that reach far beyond borders. It truly showed the power of bringing young leaders together from around the world.

~RuthAnn B.