RYLA CAMP DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN
Posted
on Sep 02, 2010
Nancy Lemas (Rotary Club of Boise) has been the wonderful leader of RYLA for years, making all Rotarians proud of our work with youth. In anticipation of the upcoming August 2011 camp, read Nancy's comments about the 2010 RYLA experience, view a video of RYLA 2010 on YouTube and see pictures from the last year's camp.
View a video of RYLA 2010 at
Ninety-Five kids from all over the District recently participated in RYLA CAMP 2010!
While living together on the CSI campus in Twin Falls, RYLAarins heard motivational community leaders, participated in leadership activities and joined in an extraordinary talent show where everyone could shine and be appreciated. The camp included a "Piece of the Peace" workshop where students learned how they could bring peace to their world. They also learned about the 4-Way Test and how it applies to their life.
In addition, the kids were challenged by a ropes course that puts the participants through a series of physical and mental tests. The highlight of the ropes course , called the "pamper pole" is the most physically and mentally challenging. A 30 foot pole is climbed and while standing on the very top (which is no larger than a basketball) the teen leaps toward a trapeze bar only to be caught in their safety harness.
Scenes from the Ropes Course
In a letter home one girl wrote,
"On the first day, I took a look at the 30 ft pole and decided I wasn't' even going to try. I thought it was a goal I would never achieve...no use trying. When our team came back the next day, I was extremely nervous. I knew I couldn't do it but decided to try anyway. As I began to cross the high beam, I could not move. I was frozen.I had reached the middle. While standing there, I questioned my integrity, myself and my brains. I then realized the only thing stopping me was me! I found my confidence and quickly took off to the other side. I learned that with confidence I could accomplish anything".
A young man wrote,
"Before I arrived I was unmotivated and sloppy. My Dad always got on my case for this but could never change me. He had been trying and failing for 3 years. RYLA taught me that living a motivated personal life is worth every effort."
Other RYLArian Commented:
I learned about the future and how to get there...
Being a leader is about being willing to take risks. It's trust. It's communication
- I learned it's "OK" to change directions...
- Anything is possible...
- It's faith in others, myself and God...
- I found the leader within. It's totally a new dimension of myself...
- I have more respect for my grandpa. He was always my hero, but I now have more respect for him as I learned more about what he was involved in...
- A leader is not the person who gets up in front or has all of the answers. It's a person who is empathic and sympathetic enough to gain the trust of his followers to make a contribution...
Many heartfelt thanks to :
District 5400...for all of the great kids
Governor Terry Gilbert... for showing us how to "build communities and bridge continents"
Dan & Julee Hunt... holding the high watch, for stepping up, stepping out and making a difference for us all
Cathy Rosera..her great organizational skills and for the many, hours of papers, pictures, people, phone calls, & lack of sleep!
Todd Fischer...for all the hours of phone calls and emails
Norm Hill and George Chandler... for pulling together the east to the west
Dan Evans...for pulling together the west to the east
Brent Carpenter and Brown Bus Co...for the bus to bring the kids to CSI
Debbie Kunz... hours of phone calls and emails
Torene Bonner...Make A Wish..contributions and RYLA support
Cherie Buckner-Webb...helping us all view life through the eyes of others
Graydon Stanley and the CSI Staff...for feeding us, housing us and keeping us safe
Yours in RYLA,
Nancy Lemas