82 Maui County Students Learn About Leadership
January 28-30, 2011:  Eighty two sophomore and junior students from seven Maui County high schools gathered together at Camp Maluhia to experience the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp program (RYLA).  This world-wide program was sponsored by the nine Maui County Rotary Clubs. 

The Maui Camp RYLA was directed by Larry and Joanne Laird, members of the Kihei-Sunrise Rotary Club.  Over 75 volunteers from the Maui County Rotary Clubs gathered together at Camp Maluhia to assist in every camp capacity from serving as Facilitators, Chaperones, Cooks, Camp Preparation and a myriad of other jobs to help make this camp a success for these student leaders.  The purpose of the camp was to give the students an opportunity to participate in quality leadership training experiences and activities.  These activities were led by dedicated Rotarians who helped guide the campers in understanding the principles of effective leadership.   Twelve students returned from the 2010 camp program to serve as Assistant Facilitators, helping their adult Rotary facilitators present the leadership training curriculum.  Three students served as Camp Assistants; they have attended the Camp RYLA program for the past three years and assisted with the operational aspects of the weekend camp.   Leadership workshop topics included The Nuggets of Leadership, Respect, Ethics in Leadership, Responsibility, and selecting school Community Service projects, to name a few.  All of the students experienced a 3-hour Ropes Course led by Local Connections Maui.  The culmination of the 3-day program was a graduation ceremony where each camper was presented with a Diploma and Camp RYLA pin by John Steelquist, District Governor of Rotary Clubs District 5000.  Over 50 parents and family members attended the graduation ceremony and celebration lunch.