Would you and your Rotary club like to impact the lives of high school students in your community? You can do just that by sponsoring students to attend the Missouri RYLA Academy.
The Missouri RYLA Academy (MO RYLA) is a four-day/three-night service leadership program that introduces Rotary’s “Service Above Self” philosophy. The curriculum, developed and administered by professional educators, includes a personality self-assessment, team-building
activities, and a two-day service project simulation. Rotary International recognizes our program as one of the model RYLA programs in the world. We were the only break-out session at the 2019 RI Convention in Hamburg, Germany.
activities, and a two-day service project simulation. Rotary International recognizes our program as one of the model RYLA programs in the world. We were the only break-out session at the 2019 RI Convention in Hamburg, Germany.
MO RYLA has been implemented in Missouri for over 30 years, with over 3,000 students participating. Missouri Rotary Districts 6040, 6060, and 6080 partner to support this premier academy. The staff is comprised of professional high school guidance counselors, educators
and outstanding Rotarians from around the state. The program is held each summer in Warrensburg, Missouri, on the University of Central Missouri campus.
and outstanding Rotarians from around the state. The program is held each summer in Warrensburg, Missouri, on the University of Central Missouri campus.
In 2025, two academy sessions of MO RYLA run Sunday through Wednesday the following dates:
Session 1: June 22 - 25 ~ or ~ Session 2: July 13 - 16
Session 1: June 22 - 25 ~ or ~ Session 2: July 13 - 16
Rotary clubs have the opportunity to promote the academy and sponsor their local high school students to attend. The number of participants a club can sponsor is not capped or limited. Students can select their preferred academy session, with each session maxing at 100
participants. The registration fee is $600 per student. The program is designed for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors (fall ‘25). There is no GPA requirement, and Rotarian family members, such as children or grandchildren, can attend. We strongly recommend that you do not delay selecting and signing up students. Many families make their summer plans months in advance, and we find that is the primary reason why prospective students have to decline the opportunity to participate.
participants. The registration fee is $600 per student. The program is designed for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors (fall ‘25). There is no GPA requirement, and Rotarian family members, such as children or grandchildren, can attend. We strongly recommend that you do not delay selecting and signing up students. Many families make their summer plans months in advance, and we find that is the primary reason why prospective students have to decline the opportunity to participate.
Registration for both 2025 sessions is now open! Once you select the student(s) you’ll sponsor, please send the following link to them to complete the application. They will need to know your Rotary Club name to register.
https://www.IsMyRotaryClub.org/App/?ID=281
The most common question from clubs is how to find and select students to attend. Many clubs work with local high school Interact clubs, youth service clubs or guidance counselors to find the students who have a heart for service.
It is essential to take note of the following deadlines:
It is essential to take note of the following deadlines:
- February 1, 2025: Rotary Club sign-up link opens
- April 30, 2025: Sign up and registration closes
- May 20, 2025: Registration refund deadline ($575)
- May 21 - June 5, 2025: If your club has a student withdraw, you can replace them with a student of the same gender
After Rotary clubs have signed up and paid for their selected students, MO RYLA will send a receipt to your club. We will contact and work with students and their families directly to finish the registration process. Please feel free to check back to the web site (missouriryla.com) from time to time to see our updates and learn more about this internationally acclaimed youth program! You may have heard that long-time RYLA Directors Valerie Anderson and Rich Linden have both retired. You can meet the incoming Director of Administration Miki McKee Koelsch and Director of Curriculum Tracy Vincent here https://www.missouriryla.com/directors. Both have great backgrounds and experience and were trained well by their counterparts. Please contact Miki with any questions regarding the process, or Tracy if you have Rotarians
interested in serving as volunteer leaders, by emailing missouriryla@gmail.com. You can see our presentation at PETS. We’re also available to come and speak to your club either virtually or in person. Just email!
interested in serving as volunteer leaders, by emailing missouriryla@gmail.com. You can see our presentation at PETS. We’re also available to come and speak to your club either virtually or in person. Just email!
I look forward to working with you and your club.
Tom Stinson, Executive Director
Missouri RYLA Academy
Tom Stinson, Executive Director
Missouri RYLA Academy