COVID

Consistent with Rotary as an organization that encourages and uses vaccines, we suggest all participants involved in RYLA camps get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. D5495 will not require vaccination or maintain proof of any volunteers’ or participants’ vaccination status.
Consistent with the CDC and the Arizona Department of Education, we encourage testing for the COVID-19 virus in order to prevent the spread. There will not be a requirement to test for the virus prior to attending RYLA camp.
Consistent with the CDC and AZED, we reserve the right to quarantine anyone who does test positive or contracts COVID-19 at the RYLA camp. If someone is known to have the virus prior to the camp starting they will not be allowed to participate— both volunteers and participants.
This policy is subject to change depending on the health requirements, guidelines, and suggestions of the CDC or AZED.

June 12-15, 2024

Who are the Volunteers who make JR RYLA Happen?

JR RYLA Volunteers are primarily Rotarians from throughout our Rotary District. Volunteers are highly motivated and successful leaders within their respective communities.

They are carefully selected from many interested applicants to represent some of the best leaders in Arizona. For the protection of all, volunteers agree to submit to a background check.

* We ask adults volunteers to also consider/be willing function also as room counselors

WHY VOLUNTEER?

One of the great joys of being a Rotarian is to share your vision of leadership and service with young people. RYLA gives you the opportunity to participate in leadership, learning, and fellowship activities with some of the District’s finest high school students.

Participants will be divided into teams to provide the best possible learning and sharing experience. Each team consists of 10 students from different Junior High Schools throughout our Rotary District, a Junior Counselor (high school aged) to help lead the team, and two adult Mentors. The team will become a close knit community as a result of working together and sharing ideas after each major presentation and activity.

The process of facilitation is to guide the team as it reflects on an experience, whether that experience was a speaker, a workshop, or an activity. Effective facilitation enables students to share perspectives on a common experience through a productive dialog and then develop behavioral changes through enriched communication, trust, and teamwork.

Being a RYLA Mentor is often described as one of the high points in a Rotarians life! Don’t miss this unique opportunity.

Mentors must attend Facilitator Orientation which will familiarize new and experienced Facilitators with RYLA policies, activities, and procedures. You will meet and exchange ideas with RYLA Committee members and experienced Mentors. You will also have a chance to experience some of the activities that will be conducted at the camp, including simulated group discussions.

All adult volunteers must complete the online application and submit a signed background check authorization form.

The process is painless, and RYLA does not maintain any of the information required to initiate the process. Volunteer's privacy is important to us, but the safety and security of our delegates is foremost!

Being a Mentor is possibly the best job at RYLA! Mentors serve as guides to the delegates for the whole weekend – a hands-on leadership role.

The basics: You will be with your team (there are 8 groups) for each activity, and ensure they are prepared. You will engage in the programs as required to make sure everybody participates and learns to their ability. We will support you by having two adults per team. You will be amazed at the abilities and skills of our delegates and truly have a fun time all weekend!

Each group has a Junior Counselor. These are High School aged students to help assist their team throughout the weekend.

JC’s have attended a recent RYLA and were so impressed with the program they volunteer to do it all over again.