Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

June 10-13, 2026

College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick GA

Rotary Intl. District 6920

What Happens at RYLA

RYLA students attend an all expense paid four day event, where they can expand their perceptions, learn about themselves, discuss leadership skills, and put those skills to practice.

Students spotted by their high school counselors and local Rotary Clubs for their high leadership potential, enjoyed an exciting 4 day program, based heavily on Relationship Building and Leadership qualities.  Held on the campus of the College of Coastal Georgia, next door to St Simons and Jekyll Islands, the students made new life-long friends (we know this based on several decades of RYLA alums).   

Qualifications…….
RYLA brings together individuals from different educational levels and work experience with noted community professionals to interact, learn, and discuss strategies for dealing with future challenges and opportunities.

• Open to rising H.S. Juniors and Seniors
• Candidates should hold a position of
  leadership or be interested in expanding and
  displaying leadership qualities.
• Candidates can be a relative of a Rotarian,
  foreign exchange student, or past recipient.

During your RYLA experience

You will have an opportunity to:

• Share and explore new ideas
• Enhance communication skills to improve your relationships with family, friends and society
• Collect innovative ideas for key leadership & successful business strategies
• Network with positive leaders
• Explore family dynamics, interpersonal
  relationships and values
• Learn to better understand ourselves & others
• Learn about Rotary’s purpose & service to the community
• Learn techniques for problem solving and
  conflict management

Accommodations
The College of Coastal Georgia campus is perfect for outside activities. CCG offers recreational facilities for swimming, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. You’ll stay in dormitory style rooms and enjoy great food.  Following the week of RYLA, the RYLArians will have the opportunity to visit their sponsoring Rotary club and share their exiting four day RYLA experience.

Outstanding Speakers & Service Experience

RYLA 2025 included Great programs presented by outstanding professionals in a widely diverse range of experiences.

Dr Jason Umfress, VP Student Affairs & Enrollment Mgmt. College of Coastal Georgia, and RYLA Alum, offered the Keynote address “Create Hope in the World”.

Dr Kyle Fox, CCGA professor of the year in Communications had the students up, interacting and even running – as he taught: Key communication Skills for Effective Leadership.

Ms. Tashania Garner, Director of Counseling and Disability Services at CCGA, discussed strategies for Building Self Confidence & Self-Esteem and how to use these strategies to prepare for life beyond high school.

Cherise & Dialo Cartwright, both highly successful business professionals (Dialo with Ga Power, and Cherise as sole entrepreneur) as well as managing their own family, spoke on Fundamentals and Ethics of Good Leadership, professionally and as a family.

Rabbi Rachael Bregman, of Temple Beth Tefilloh in Brunswick – spoke on Leadership for the Greater Good and held an open session on the situation in the middle east and the possible pathways to peace.

Rotarian Dana Parks and RYLA 24 & 25 Participant Rilyn Rogers talked to the group about the Rotary Youth Exchange program which allows students the opportunity to study and live overseas.

Local entrepreneur and retired federal law enforcement officer John Bostain of Command Presence Training shared his experiences on Problem Solving, Conflict Management and Fundamentals of Mediation

Additionally – – the Students spent a morning at MAP Intl. learning about this incredible world-wide Disaster Relief Organization – and assembling 1000 Personal Hygiene packages to be shipped to disaster locations as they occur.

Students also learned about Conservation by visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island where they visited multiple exhibits to learn about Sea Turtle Conservation and even witnessed the feeding of several turtles in the Rehabilitation tanks.

For More Information, please contact: Brian Weese, District 6920 RYLA Chair RotaryD6920.RYLA@gmail.com 

For additional info about D6920 RYLA CLICK HERE

To learn more about RYLA Around the Globe  CLICK HERE