83 Maui County Students Learn About Leadership
January 29-31, 2010: Eighty three sophomore and junior students from ten 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 2009 camp program to serve as Assistant Facilitators, helping their adult Rotary facilitators present the leadership training curriculum. Four 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, Making the Right Choice Using the Rotary 4-Way Test, and Attitude of Gratitude, to name a few. All of the students experienced a 3-hour Ropes Course led by Local Connections Maui – even in the “wet and wild” conditions of the weekend! The culmination of the 3-day program was a graduation ceremony where each camper was presented with a Diploma and Camp RYLA pin by Lisa Foster, District Governor of Rotary Clubs District 5000. Over 50 parents and family members attended the graduation ceremony and celebration lunch.
Campers completed an evaluation at the end of the program and the overwhelming response was the camp exceeded their expectations. Some of the campers’ comments were:
- If there is any place or opportunity anywhere in the world to experience the kind of fun, education and leadership, it is at Maui Camp RYLA. (Charae Tongg, Seabury Hall)
- Camp RYLA is a life-changing experience that can give a shy little spark the opportunity to explode into a new beginning. (Kaelyn Okuhata, King Kekaulike)
- Camp RYLA is a fun and memorable experience that will help us to become better leaders. (Kamie Lei Fujiwara, Kamehameha Maui)
- Camp RYLA gave me the skills on how to be a better leader at my school, in my community, and in my future! (Kenny “Kalani” Cabanting, Lanai)
- Camp RYLA was one of the best life experiences I’ve ever had! (Gretchen Samonte, Baldwin)
- Camp RYLA not only gave me great advice on leadership and team building that will help me throughout my life, but it let me meet people from a diverse environment which is one of the best experiences possible. (Michael Black, Maui)
- If you are offered a chance to go to RYLA don’t even hesitate, take it! Because good opportunities don’t come along very often; so grab them while you can….that’s one of the many things that RYLA taught me. (Nick Vasquez-Stewart, Lahainaluna)
- Camp RYLA is something I will never forget. It has prepared me with leadership knowledge that I will use for the rest of my life. (Kismet Kilbourn, St. Anthony)
- Camp RYLA was an amazing experience where I got to meet a ton of amazing people, learn new leadership skills, and grow more as a leader. (Eryn Bass, Kihei Charter)
