The Rotary International District 7620 RYLA Program is an intense, 4-day, 3-night leadership training program that is designed to recognize, encourage, and further develop the leadership skills of 11th and 12th grade high school students who have shown a potential for rendering important service to their schools and communities. RYLA activities are held at the YMCA Camp Letts in Edgewater, Maryland. It begins on the Friday before the Presidents' Day national holiday, and ends on Presidents' Day Monday. Students are sponsored by Rotary Districts in central Maryland and Washington, D.C., and YMCA branches in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

RYLA has a number of purposes, including the following:

● To enable promising young leaders to encounter and analyze critical issues of professional and business ethics and to accept responsibility;

● To confront and resolve critical social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues;

● To develop and refine leadership skills;

● To become more acquainted with the business, and professional worlds;

● To meet and make new friends of different racial, social, and cultural backgrounds;

● To learn about Rotary and its many youth oriented programs; and

● To have a FUN learning experience

This major, worldwide, youth-related, vocational service program was officially adopted by Rotary in 1971.

It provides a unique opportunity for Rotary clubs to establish a helping relationship with tomorrow's leaders.

It is a concrete demonstration of Rotary's respect and concern for young people.

It publicly recognizes and supports the young people who are rendering service to their peers, schools and communities.

It offers an opportunity to introduce Rotary to tomorrow's leaders.

It introduces these young people to members of Rotaract.

In recent years, the Rotary Club of Towson has been sponsoring students from alternative schools, such as the Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, and My Sister's Circle. This policy exposes these students to opportunities usually available only to conventional high school students.

Below are some Photos of current RYLA participants at a recent Towson Rotary meeting.