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Links to additional required forms are available at the bottom of this page.

RYLA 2026 | May 8th-10th

What is RYLA?

Established as a Rotary Structured Program in 1971, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. The Rotary District 6250 RYLA program is a camp designed to build future leaders and Rotarians who exemplify the four way test:

  • Is it the Truth?
  • Is it fair to all concerned?
  • Will it build good will and better friendships?
  • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Where and when does RYLA happen?

  • RYLA is held at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center located in Wisconsin Dells.
  • Dates: May 8-10, 2026
  • Arrival/Departure:
    • Students should arrive from 11:30am – 12:00pm on Friday, May 8th
    • RYLA will conclude at 11:00am sharp on Sunday.
    • Rotarians/Parents, should pick students up at 11:00am on Sunday, May 10th.

Who can participate?

  • Each year Rotary Clubs can sponsor sophomores from local high schools to attend. We've designed our program for sophomores and one of our top goals is for those students to go back to theirs schools and communities to put what they learn at RYLA to work for their last two years of high school!
  • Students who have attended RYLA in a previous year are encouraged to apply to come back to RYLA as a "Junior Counselor". More details on the application process are below.
  • Rotarians are also always welcome and needed to help facilitate the camp, share Rotary stories, and have fun!

What does RYLA cost my Rotary Club?

  • The cost to sponsor one student to attend the camp is $250. This registration fee is paid by the local Rotary Club.
  • Many clubs send several students. Please budget for as many students as you are willing to cover. We love to have a full camp!
  • Transportation is the local Rotary Club’s responsibility (see below).

How do students get to RYLA?

  • The sponsoring Rotary Club is to coordinate volunteers to drive their students to and from RYLA.
  • Coordination with other area clubs is highly encouraged, especially if you're sending 1-2 students.
  • The La Crosse area clubs typically coordinate a bus to send several students.
  • While we encourage the above options as the preferred method of transportation, parents/guardians are allowed to drive their students if it is the best/only option.
  • While it may be allowed in very special circumstances, we strongly discourage students from driving themselves.

What should I bring to RYLA?

  • To be sure that you've got everything you need to have an awesome time at RYLA, check out our RYLA Packing List!

Check out this video to get a feel for what RYLA is all about!

 

Registration is open!

Submit your club information, register your student(s), or apply to be on staff!

To start the registration process, Rotary Clubs must use the “Register Now” button below and let Rotary District 6250 know how many students you're sponsoring to send to RYLA. Use the number of students your club budgeted for, and simply select that number of “RYLA 2026 Club Sponsorship” tickets. You'll also provide the name of those students and their school. After submitting this form, students along with their parents/guardians will complete a similar process. Club Sponsorships are due April 15th.

Students along with their parents/guardians use the same “Register Now” button below after receiving acknowledgement from their local Rotary Club and/or School District that they are being sponsored by that club to attend RYLA. They'll select the “RYLA Delegate Registration” ticket and during the checkout process will enter their contact information, acknowledge emergency contact info and event risk, complete our health form and code of conduct. RYLA Delegate Registration is due April 15th.
 
RYLA Staff will also use the “Register Now” button below to apply. Whether you're applying to be a Junior Counselor, Leadership Guru, or Rotary/Rotaract Counselor, you'll use this process to apply to be on the team. Simply select the “RYLA Staff Application” ticket and complete the checkout process to submit all of your info. Staff training days will include a virtual training prior to camp and an onsite training session for Leadership Guru's, Junior Counselors and new Rotarians/Rotaractors on the Thursday evening before camp starts. Please be sure you can commit to the entirety of these dates BEFORE you apply! Staff Applications are due March 15th and selections will be made by April 1st.

 

Photo Release

Organizations ask for photo releases so they can use participants' photos with their permission, keeping everything friendly, legal, and respectful of everyone's personal image. Please use the below link to download and complete your form, then upload it here.
 

Assumption of Risk Form

Agreement for Assumption of Risk, Indemnification, Release, and Consent for Emergency Treatment.
Please use the appropriate link below for a fillable pdf. Then, upload it here.
 
 

RYLA Coordinator Toolkit

Need help identifying students, selecting students, working with schools, or all the above? Check out these helpful tools to get you started.
Want all these tools in one pdf? Download the full toolkit here!

District 6250 RYLA Leadership

Dr. Michelle McGrath
RYLA Co-Chair
drmichellemcgrath@gmail.com
Madison Downtown Rotary Club
608-206-3092
Ben Bauer
RYLA Co-Chair
benjaminjbauer@outlook.com
Marshfield Rotary Club
715-650-1060
Rebecca Wyss
RYLA Camp Director
Suzanne Imhoff
RYLA Curriculum Coordinator
Anna Stoflet
RYLA Health Coordiantor

Frequently Asked Questions

When is payment due? Can our club wait to send one check after all students register?

Clubs may submit one combined payment after confirming their final number of registered students. Payment should be sent no later than the end of day on the April 15th registration deadline. Contact RYLA leadership for extenuating circumstances.