How To Apply
The Application Process
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The first step of the process is for each applicant to create a user account on our website. Applicants do so by clicking the associated button (located below) for their desired conference.
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After creating their account, the applicant can log into the website and fill out their application for their desired conference.
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Applicants may edit their submitted application by logging into the website and choosing the corresponding option on the website menu.
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IMPORTANT: All applicants must arrange for an interview with a RYLA Club Representative.
You must register and create a user account before you can submit your application!
While each RYLA program has one or more unique application requirements, each program shares the following:
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Every attendee is supported and funded by an eligible Rotary Club. It costs each club $700 for every attendee they send, so each club strives to send their best candidates each year. As such the application process is competitive, and we cannot automatically accept every applicant into the conference. You can find a list of RYLA Club Representatives here: List of RYLA Club Reps
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Each RYLA and Young RYLA conference runs for 6 days (Sunday through Friday). Participants cannot arrive late or depart early. DO NOT APPLY IF YOU CANNOT COMMIT TO ATTENDING THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE.
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After completing your on-line application, you must contact the RYLA Representative for an eligible Rotary Club and schedule a candidate interview. If you have already spoken with a RYLA representative and/or a specific Rotary Club you can indicate the club’s name on the RYLA application form. If you need to find a RYLA representative in your area, please consult the list found here:
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List of RYLA Club Representatives (Opens in a new browser tab or window)
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Parent/Legal Guardian consent is required to attend RYLA. You will need to provide contact information for a parent/legal guardian when you fill out your RYLA Application so that we can contact your parent/guardian to obtain their consent. Please make sure your parent/guardian is aware that we will be reaching out to them to provide their consent via our website as part of the RYLA or Young RYLA application process.
RYLA
Leader: One who, by the power of their positive actions, compels others to positive action.
In Rotary Districts 5440 and 5450, RYLA is a 6-day leadership conference held at the YMCA of the Rockies, in Estes Park, Colorado. These two Rotary districts cover Northern Colorado, Wyoming and Western Nebraska.
Any current High School Sophomore, Junior, or Senior may apply. Generally, selected applicants excel in one or more areas of high school involvement and have proven leadership experience or potential.
RYLA 2025 Dates:
Sunday, July 27 – Friday, August 1 2025
Young RYLA
If you are now in 7th grade and:
- Want to become a better leader.
- Would like a chance to meet and talk to other teens from different schools.
- Have demonstrated leadership in your school or community.
- Want to bring positive change to your community.
- Are interested in making new friends.
Then you should come to Young RYLA!
Young RYLA 2025 Dates:
Young RYLA-1: Sunday, June 22 – Friday, June 27 2025
Young RYLA-2: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 11 2025
RYLA Plus
Focus on your abilities, not
your disabilities! Become the best Leader
and Teammate you can be!
RYLA Plus is a leadership training program, fully developed and sponsored by Rotarians in the Rocky Mountain Region and designed especially for teenagers who have physical disabilities that might make their full participation in other RYLA programs challenging.
This conference is held at Easterseals Colorado’s Rocky Mt. Village (RMV) in Empire, CO, a fully ADA-compliant camp with staffing to support delivery of required medications and/or to help with personal care needs. Conferees engage in this life-changing experience through various speaker sessions (e.g., Paralympians) and team problem-solving activities.
