The RYLA experience may end. Leadership continues.
RYLA Next is a structured post-RYLA development community created to ensure that the leadership journey of young people does not end when the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp closes.
The initiative provides a continuing platform where RYLA alumni can learn, connect, develop practical skills, access mentorship and opportunities, take on leadership responsibilities, and translate the lessons of RYLA into measurable personal and community impact.
Built around the Watch structure established during RYLA, RYLA Next transforms a temporary camp community into a year-long network for growth, accountability and service.
How RYLA Next Works
1. Join your Watch
Each participant joins RYLA Next through the Watch to which they belong.
Members create individual profiles highlighting their education or occupation, skills, interests, aspirations, development goals and areas where they need support.
This gives the community a clearer understanding of each young leader beyond the few days spent together at RYLA.
2. Set your 12-month goal
Every member is encouraged to identify something meaningful they want to achieve within the next 12 months.
It could be gaining a new skill, starting a business, securing an internship, improving academically, developing a career path, executing a community project or becoming a more effective leader.
RYLA Next provides a structure for members to work towards those goals and document their progress.
3. Learn practical skills
Leadership requires more than motivation.
Members will have access to learning opportunities designed around real-life development needs, including leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, digital skills, career development, financial literacy, personal branding, project management and other relevant areas.
The objective is to turn potential into practical capability.
4. Connect with mentors
RYLA Next connects young leaders with Rotarians, professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and other experienced individuals who can provide guidance and exposure.
Mentorship is intended to help members make better decisions, understand career and business pathways, build confidence and benefit from experiences beyond their immediate environment.
5. Discover opportunities
Members can be connected to relevant internships, scholarships, training programmes, competitions, volunteering opportunities, jobs, professional events and other development opportunities.
Opportunities are matched, as much as possible, to members’ interests, skills and aspirations.
6. Lead
RYLA Next is not designed only for young people to receive opportunities. Members are expected to take responsibility.
Young leaders can serve in leadership positions within their communities, coordinate activities, lead projects, organise learning sessions and contribute ideas.
Leadership therefore becomes something they practise, rather than something they merely discuss.
7. Serve
Community service remains an important part of the journey.
Members are encouraged to identify problems around them and work collaboratively on practical service initiatives.
Projects can also provide opportunities to practise teamwork, planning, communication, fundraising, accountability and impact measurement.
8. Build a record of your journey
Achievements, training, projects, mentorship activities, leadership responsibilities and other milestones can be documented through the RYLA Next platform.
Over time, each participant begins to build a meaningful record of development beyond simply having attended RYLA.
Different backgrounds. Equal opportunity to grow.
RYLA Next recognises that young people do not begin their journeys from the same place.
Members may come from different educational, economic and social backgrounds, with different levels of exposure and access to opportunities.
The purpose is not to make everyone identical. It is to give every willing participant an environment in which they can develop their potential.
What matters most is the willingness to learn, participate, take responsibility and grow.
A 12-month journey
The RYLA Next development cycle runs for 12 months.
At the beginning of the journey, members identify where they are, what they want to become and what they hope to achieve.
Throughout the year, they participate in learning, mentorship, leadership, professional development, networking and service opportunities while documenting their progress.
At the end of the cycle, the important question will not simply be:
“What did you attend?”
It will be:
“What changed because you were part of RYLA Next?”
The objective is for every committed participant to be able to point to measurable progress, whether that is a new skill, improved confidence, a completed project, a business idea brought to life, a career opportunity, stronger professional networks or a meaningful contribution to the community.
Leadership comes with responsibility
Being part of RYLA Next means more than belonging to another social or WhatsApp group.
Members are expected to conduct themselves as young leaders, respect one another, embrace different backgrounds and perspectives, honour commitments and contribute positively to the community.
Leadership positions are opportunities to serve, not symbols of superiority.
The community therefore encourages discipline, accountability, mutual respect and responsible conduct while providing young people with room to learn, make mistakes, improve and grow.
From RYLA participant to emerging leader
RYLA Next is ultimately about continuity.
RYLA introduces participants to leadership principles and gives young people an intensive experience of learning, teamwork and personal development.
RYLA Next takes the next step by asking:
What happens afterwards?
It creates an environment in which the lessons, friendships, ambitions and enthusiasm developed during RYLA can continue to produce results long after camp.
Powered by partnership
RYLA Next is conceived as a youth development initiative built around the continuing relationship between RYLA participants, their Watch communities, mentors and supporting Rotarians.
Iretura Limited serves as the Technology & Development Partner, providing the digital infrastructure supporting member development, engagement, opportunities and progress tracking. Iretura’s broader digital infrastructure practice includes website development and hosting services.
Your RYLA journey isn’t over
The camp gave you an experience.
RYLA Next gives you an opportunity to build on it.
Learn. Connect. Lead. Serve.
Your next chapter starts here.
Ready to continue your leadership journey? Return to the RYLA Next community to create your profile, connect with your Watch and begin your 12-month development journey.