We believe that RYLA changes lives, but don't just take our word for it, listen to the experts - our Alumni. 

On the following pages you will find testimonials from our past RYLArians, photos and some quotes that guide our program. See how RYLA is such a powerful tool for shaping the leaders of tomorrow with the courage to change their world today. 

"RYLA gives young people the precious gift of one week to focus purely upon themselves, to reflect on their values and their goals, and to begin to realise the truly amazing things they are capable of achieving.              

 And you know what?

Boy I'm glad I went! RYLA was exactly what I needed: new relationships, and new perspectives; excitement and quiet reflection; inspiration, energy and hope. So much is expected of young people today, yet society doesn't often give us time to sit down and work out "Who am I? What am I doing? What can I do? And yet these are fundamental questions for anyone wishing to serve their community"

-Patrick

RYLA was a fantastic experience. I went for the week not knowing what Rotary was, what Vision Valley was and what I was going to do for 7 days with a bunch of strangers. I left RYLA with a great bunch of friends and with a much better understanding of what Rotary was about. RYLA was my launching pad into RYPEN which I am happy to say is one of the best weekends of my life. It always amazes me when I am wearing my RYLA T-shirt and someone comes up to me and says - I went to RYLA 10 years ago! As it turns out my Boss went to RYLA almost twenty years ago and thought that it was one of the key points in his life as well. It is hard to express what RYLA is or what it means but I can say quite confidently that it is up there as one of the best weeks of my life.

 -Ilan

Before I went on RYLA, I didn't really know what it was that made me a leader.

I was not a leader at all, really; I was a person filling positions of leadership. RYLA gave me the opportunity to experience real leadership and make decisions that affected other people. The numerous practical exercises made me realise that I could be a good leader - I just needed to think about what I was doing. More than two years later, I find leadership a lot easier than it was back then. Don't get me wrong: it is still a challenge, but now it has become something that I use every day, rather than a hat that I wear when I need to. With the friends that I made on RYLA, I am still working to make a difference - which is exactly what RYLA inspired me to do.  

--Matt 

Coming out of RYLA, I think the smaller changes, the inspirational talks and the couple of supportive words from everyone really make you think twice about everything...about life, about our friends, about who we want to be as people, how its important to never lose sight on something you are passionate about and for me so far has been rotex and we have been doing SO great every time that we are planning and together working as a team and really making plans for the future of youth exchange and also for rebounds of our district. It's the fact that things can't be left late, they have to start from somewhere and if we are going to sit around and dream then it will never happen and that we can have a ripple effect from the little that we think are meaningless!! I'm more confident, positive and feel like there is great optimism in every path that I can take because of the things that I have learnt and also the things that make me the person I am. 

--Kash

My outlook has changed and my new, positive approach is affecting all aspects of my being. I am the master of my destiny and RYLA has helped me to realise that what you put in to life you get back two fold. 

On RYLA I met a group of driven and talented people, was inspired by my facilitators and learnt many new leadership skills.  Today as I write this, I wear my RYLA badge with pride.  When I look in the mirror it reminds me of the fantastic week I spent in Vision Valley learning, experiencing and growing. 

RYLA challenged me and forced me to step outside my comfort zone. This in turn gave me the confidence I needed to go out into the world, putting faith in the choices that I make, and to truly be the inspiration.

 --Claire

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