Youth Programs

Leadership is an essential aspect of Rotary

— and we offer both clubs and programs to help emerging leaders develop their skills. Through these groups, participants strengthen their leadership skills, serve their communities, increase their world understanding, build friendships, and more.

	Join the global movement of young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours. To find a local Rotaract Club, please email. Click for more information.
	Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year, one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves. Please email to find a local Interact Club or start a new one at your school. Click for more information.
	Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (RAYEC) is for youth aged 13-15 and have an interest in business. This one-week entrepreneurial-based camp combines business education training with a summer camp atmosphere. Campers hear from guest speakers and participate in workshops to learn business plan components, such as marketing, advertising, cash flow and record keeping. Youth are put into business teams where they develop a business idea, meet with suppliers and bankers and build a product or a service. These youthful ventures are open for business on the final day of camp. Campers pay back their business loans and split their profits amongst their business team. It’s not only about numbers and business plans, though. The youth get to participate in a variety of summer camp experiences and recreational activities as well. Campers attend for free, thanks to the generous support of community sponsors, Community Futures offices and Rotary District 5360. Sixty youth from South and Central Alberta will attend the camp held at Eagles Nest Ranch in Cypress Hills, Alberta. Youth interested in more information or to apply to the camp can visit www.rotaryayec.ca or email Camp Date: August Application Deadline: May 15, 2022
	Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership development program run by Rotary. While participants can be of any age, most events focus on secondary school students, university students, or young professionals. RYLA is typically three days long and includes presentations, activities, and workshops that cover a variety of topics, including: Leadership fundamentals and ethics Communication skills Problem-solving and conflict management Community and global citizenship APPLY for RYLA Conference annually in May Email questions to Program Administrators HERE Read more about the program HERE Earlybird: $450/student After March 1: $500/student *NOTE: PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM BOOKING STUDENTS*
	Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) RYPEN promotes personal growth, connections and leadership in a safe environment by providing challenging opportunities and tools to empower youth who have demonstrated courage and perseverance in their daily lives. RYPEN focuses on youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old. The camp is facilitated by former RYPEN attendees! RYPEN camp Camp happens each May $600 per student Registration details FOR MORE INFORMATION Email Youth interested in more information or to apply to the camp click here. *NOTE: Club Payment is required to confirm booking*
	Long-Term Exchange Are you interested in learning a new language or meeting new people? Rotary Youth Exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8,000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture and embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—and learn a great deal about yourself and your home country in the process. Please see Rotary Youth Exchange page for more information.
	Short-Term Exchange Rotary Short Term Exchange presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to live abroad for a brief time over the summer. Participants live with one host family in the destination country for approximately one month in the summer, under the sponsorship of their local Rotary Club. This is a true exchange program because the host brother/sister from abroad will also spend a month with the participating student in his/her home in during the same summer. Please see Rotary Youth Exchange page for more information
	New Generations Service Exchange is a short-term, customizable program for university students and professionals up to age 30. Participants can design exchanges that combine their professional goals with a humanitarian project. What are the benefits? Make connections with service-minded community leaders in another country Learn another language Build your professional skills and gain international experience Travel and explore a new culture while giving back through service Interested? Contact Committee Chair for more information.