By Friday afternoon, they arrived carrying sleeping bags, duffel bags, and perhaps a little bit of nervousness.
By Sunday afternoon, they left carrying something far more valuable: confidence, friendships, memories, and a newfound understanding of their own leadership potential.
From June 26-28, nearly 200 students from across Rotary District 7910 gathered at Fitchburg State University for the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), joining approximately 70 dedicated volunteers for what many participants, parents, and facilitators proudly declared to be the "Best RYLA Ever."
For one remarkable weekend, the campus transformed into a living laboratory of leadership, teamwork, self-discovery, and belonging. Students who had never met before quickly became teammates, confidants, and friends as they immersed themselves in a high-energy experience designed to challenge them, inspire them, and empower them.
The weekend began with excitement and anticipation as RYLANs met their Group Facilitators (GFs), Program Facilitators (PFs), and the incredible Core team that had spent months planning every detail of the experience. What followed was a whirlwind of activities that pushed participants beyond their comfort zones and encouraged them to discover strengths they never knew they possessed.
At Simon's Bridge, students learned the importance of trust, communication, and supporting one another through challenges. During Low Ropes, they discovered that leadership often means listening, collaborating, and finding solutions together. Through Bashing Barriers, participants confronted assumptions and obstacles, while Voices of Us created opportunities for authentic conversations, empathy, and understanding.
The weekend also challenged students to think critically about the world around them through programs like Reality Fair, while activities such as Community Building fostered connections that seemed impossible just hours before. And, of course, no RYLA experience would be complete without the laughter, energy, and unforgettable memories created during the always-popular Lit Baseball.
But perhaps the most extraordinary part of RYLA isn't found in any single activity.
It's found in the moments in between.
It's the student who arrives quietly and discovers their voice. The participant who learns that asking for help is itself an act of leadership. The group that begins as strangers and ends the weekend feeling like family. It's the realization that leadership isn't about titles or positions—it's about service, courage, empathy, and the willingness to help others succeed.
Behind every one of those moments stood an extraordinary team of approximately 70 volunteers. Our Core Committee, Program Facilitators, Group Facilitators, and countless behind-the-scenes volunteers devoted hundreds of hours over many months to ensure that every student had an experience they would never forget. Their passion, dedication, and belief in the next generation of leaders exemplify the very best of Rotary.
The celebration continued on Sunday afternoon as families arrived for the Parent Reception and Closing Ceremony. Representatives from more than 30 Rotary clubs were present to welcome parents, celebrate the accomplishments of our RYLANs, and witness firsthand the transformative impact of Rotary's investment in youth leadership.
Parents were greeted with a familiar warning: prepare yourselves. Your student may spend the entire ride home talking nonstop about their experience—or they may fall asleep from a lack of sleep and an abundance of fun they experienced over the weekend.
Either way, they were going home changed.
As Rotary District 7910 concludes the 2025-2026 Rotary year of Unite for Good, RYLA 2026 served as a powerful reminder of what happens when Rotarians unite around a shared purpose. We don't simply host a leadership conference. We create experiences that build confidence, inspire service, foster belonging, and empower young people to become the leaders our communities and our world need.
To our Core Committee, RYLANs, volunteers, sponsoring clubs, families, and everyone who helped make this weekend possible: THANK YOU!
You didn't just create a weekend.
You created memories, friendships, and leaders that will last a lifetime.