Students, go here to apply: https://www.ismyrotaryclub.org/App/?ID=340 

Seeing is believing!  Take a look and share this amazing video to get a glimpse of the 2025 Central Mississippi RYLA Retreat: 2025 VIDEO  

RYLA FAQ List

Who is eligible?

  • 10th – 12th grade students from public, private, or homeschool settings
  • Those interested in serving their community are the best candidates.
  • Probably not the best candidates are those who are overcommitted already; they will likely have a conflict.
  • They must be available for the entire retreat and are not allowed to drive themselves to the center per the rules of Twin Lakes.
  • Clubs can pick students using their own method, then share the application link from the flyer below with only those students or share the application link widely and use it to select students from the results.

When is RYLA?

  • Thursday Feb 19-21, 2026
  • Check-in is from 11am -1pm on Thursday 2/19 (Pizza is available for those who haven’t eaten lunch already)
  • Graduation is at 1pm on Saturday 2/21; Guests of students and Rotarians are cordially invited to this student-led event.
  • Departure 2pm on Saturday 2/21.
  • To be eligible to attend, students must commit to stay for the entire retreat from 1pm Thursday — 1pm Saturday.
  • The curriculum builds on every activity so that, by the end, each team can carry out their service project implementing the lessons they have learned about servant and collaborative leadership.

Where is RYLA held?

  • It is at the beautiful Twin Lakes Conference Center in Florence, MS.
  • Rooms have bunk beds and 1 bathroom for up to 8 people, but we try and spread them out to 4–6 people per room, if space allows.
  • There is a dining hall that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafeteria style. They do a good job of accommodating special dietary needs.

What will the students be doing?

  • It is very physically active from early morning until 11pm at night.
  • Icebreaker and team-building games
  • Personal strengths assessment
  • Low and high ropes course
  • Group activities to learn about Rotary mission, vision, motto, 7 areas of focus, Interact, Roratarct, and  Youth Exchange
  • Guest speakers on public speaking, professionalism, servant leadership
  • Talent show and bonfire
  • Service Project
  • Student-led ​​​​​​​Graduation

How much does it cost?

  • Clubs pay $350 for each student they sponsor with the option of receiving a district grant for half to help cover the costs upon application.
  • The student must attend RYLA for the club to receive the grant.
  • If your student cancels prior to 2/5 a refund or substitution are available. If your student cancels between 2/5 and 2/12, a substitution is available.
    If a student is a no-show for any reason other than a documented medical excuse or documented family emergency, there are no refunds issued due to the financial investment that has already been made for the students supplies and accomodations.

Suggestions to maximize your investment to expand your reach and membership

  • Invite the students, parents, and school representative to a club meeting prior to RYLA  to award a certificate recognizing your sponsorship as a scholarship.
  • Invite them again after RYLA to present what they learned.
  • Share the media release I’ll send you with local media outlets and invite them to those meetings.
  • Consider inviting parents or school personnel to join your club.
  • Assist your students in getting connected or starting an Interact or Rotaract club.
  • Emphasize to your students’ parents the time commitment of 2/19–2/21 and transportation requirement to Twin Lakes.
  • Every club is invited to send a representative to the graduation at 1pm on 2/21.

​​​​​​​Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to be a daytime volunteer  at RYLA 2026.

In Service,
Clear Moore
District 6820 RYLA Chair​​​​​​​person

dsmoore@muw.edu