<p>My son was invited to attend a Rotary Youth Leaders Conference and neither of us really knows what it is. I'm interested in hearing of your understanding of your kid's experiences. Would they go again? What is the context of this conference? Business, philanthropy, service? Thanks</p>
<p>Rotary Youth Leadership Award is one of those internatioanally recognized awards that students need not explain. It is usually a multiple-overnight in-residence (PA's 3 RYLA programs are on college campuses). It is primarily for rising senior high school students altho some RYLA programs allow younger students and older "young adults" in. As it is sponsored, read "funded in full", by Rotary International, which has something like 30 or 40K clubs around the world, over a million members (both men and women), and exists for the sole purpose of providing voluntary, charitable service to others. Was founded in Chicago in 1905 by a dude named Paul Harris, and his idea was to establish a service club in which only 1 member of any specific profession could hold membership in one club. </p>
<p>I've known many students who've attended with mixed reviews. From "fabulous" to "all the girls were ugly." Generally the more established programs are well organized, safe, substantial in program, and terrific. Unless your child has an invitation to the White House, is going to an academy summer program (which mine is, thus could not attend RYLA), or has an all expenses paid trip to New Zealand ... make sure your plebe wannabe goes.</p>
<p>Hope this lends a little insight.</p>
<p>Thanks, Whistle Pig (I'm now Arthur Dent until I figure out how to get my own name back) which summer program is your son attending? My son did decide to attend the RYLA conference because (I think) a girl from his high school went last year and this year she will be a plebe at USNA. Sealion.</p>
<p>Son did attend the RYLA conference last year. He didn't tell me much except that he enjoyed it.</p>
<p>The upside from my perspective is that several of our local Rotary Clubs have asked him to present speeches at their breakfasts and dinners. He's getting comfortable speaking to non-peer groups. He's doing one tonight.</p>
<p>It's a good opportunity to have in high school and the Rotarians have been so appreciative and friendly. They always invite my husband and me to these events, as well.</p>
<p>Ummm...just one more update. We (husband, son and me) got back earlier this evening from the Rotary dinner which was so nice.</p>
<p>The club is old and I sat next to a man who has been in it since 1954. Anyway, he told me that the new "Bachelor" Andy Baldwin (Navy Doctor) had been honored by the same club years ago similarily to my son. They had his original picture there. What a hoot!</p>
<p>As a Rotary member I'd only add that our state's congressional delegation's staffers who process the paperwork for all the academy appointments have said that the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (a five day leadership camp here) and the Hugh O'Brian Youth leadership camps are, to them, indicators of leadership. This is since so few kids are selected from each high school for these programs and the selection criteria is on leadership. (We have an "Academy Day" where all the reps, BGO's, AFA LO's etc plus the senators/congressman's staffers spend a whole day with prospective candidates.)</p>
<p>Here RYLA is limited to HS freshman classes -- only one or two selected from each high school and they attend a state-wide, 5-day leadership camp. And HOBY (sponsored by Kiwanis clubs) selects only one-two sophomores from each high school for their 3-day camp held at the university. I don't know how the academy admissions folks look at it, however, although since both are national programs based on selective factors, you'd think it would be a positive leadership indicator for those looking for an edge.</p>