The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs proudly sponsors two juniors or seniors from local high schools to participate in RYLA each year. Beyond acquiring crucial leadership skills, participants engage in team-building activities and forge friendships throughout Rotary District 5470.
What Happens at the RYLA retreat Weekend? At RYLA, you’ll explore leadership styles and topics like ethical leadership, promoting peace, and social justice. You’ll experience this largely through experiential learning with activities like orienteering, low ropes courses, and other group activities. Through these events, you’ll explore your own leadership style and learn how to work together with a team.
How much does RYLA Cost? RYLA does not cost students anything. The “Awards” in the RYLA name refers to the scholarships that are awarded by Rotary and/or locally supporting businesses that sponsor RYLA scholarships though the local Rotary Clubs.
Who should attend RYLA? RYLA is designed to work with students that are starting to show signs of leadership, or the potential for leadership, in their communities. Successful applicants are in good standing at school and are actively involved with clubs, sports teams, or community groups.
What else is RYLA? The RYLA program is an opportunity to meet and build friendships with fellow student leaders from around the state as well as getting to know the Rotarian leaders in your community. Rotary is based on a foundation that fellowship opens opportunities for service that will make our communities better places to live, as well as promoting peace and better understanding worldwide.
What are the student expectations? Students who receive a RYLA scholarship are expected to positively represent Pagosa Springs while at the Rotary weekend. Students are expected to make a group presentation at the Pagosa Springs Noon Rotary Club sometime before November 30, preferably by end of September. Students are also encouraged to volunteer for at least one Rotary-sponsored event sometime between June 17 and November 30, 2025. Please contact Cindi Galabota to sign up to volunteer. This gives the student an opportunity to give back to the Pagosa Springs Rotary Club while meeting Rotarians and learning more about Rotary and its mission. It also gives students the chance to further strengthen their leadership skills.
Link to online application: https://bit.ly/PSryla2025.
Download the online information packet.
To learn more, visit rylaintherockies.org.
