May 01, 2026: Every May, Rotary clubs around the world turn their attention to young people. Not because youth service is seasonal, but because shared focus creates momentum. And in communities large and small, Rotarians are already working alongside young leaders who are ready to serve. Youth service has been part of Rotary's identity for decades. It shows up in the way clubs invest in the next generation through programs that do not just teach leadership. They let young people practice it.
High school students participate in the Missouri Multidistrict RYLA Academy, a community service and leadership training program hosted by Rotary members and professional educators. University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri, USA, July 2022. RYLA events are organized by Rotary clubs and districts worldwide, including right here in District 7040.
The Rotary family of young leaders
- Interact gives young people ages 12 to 18 a place to serve together, build leadership skills, and learn about the world through action. Today there are almost 15,000 Interact clubs operating in 145 countries. Each club organizes at least two projects every year, one that helps its school or community and one that promotes international understanding.
- RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, offers intensive leadership experiences organized by Rotary clubs and districts. Events can range from one-day seminars to weeklong camps. In 2026, District 7040's RYLA takes place May 22 to 24 at RKY Camp, bringing together youth ages 15 to 17 from across our district for a weekend of leadership, connection, and growth.
- Rotary Youth Exchange gives students ages 15 to 19 the chance to live and study abroad, sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and return home with a wider view of the world.
- Rotaract continues that path for young adults ages 18 and older. In 2019, Rotaract was elevated from a Rotary program to a membership type within Rotary International. Young adults are not waiting outside Rotary's work. They are partners in service now.
Interact, RYLA, Youth Exchange, and Rotaract give young people real opportunities to lead, serve, and connect.
Youth service starts close to home
Through Adventure in Finance, we help local teens build financial confidence and life readiness through a one-day forum focused on practical skills, while Prepared and Positive supports parents and caregivers with expert-led conversations and community resources around youth mental health.
Our commitment to youth continues through Interact Clubs, in which students take the lead in organizing service projects and community events, and through the Four-Way Test Awards, which recognize Grade 8 students for their character and decision-making. Through Rotary Youth Exchange, our club has also helped more than 50 students experience life abroad, while welcoming international students into our community in return.
For RCWO, youth service is not one program. It is a set of commitments: leadership, mental health, financial readiness, service, and global understanding.
Young people are not waiting to lead.
They are already leading.
This May, we are proud to celebrate the programs, here in West Ottawa and around the world, that make that possible. To learn more about Rotary's youth programs globally, visit www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-programs. To learn more about what we are doing locally, visit our Youth Service Committee page.
References:
- Rotary International. Youth Programs. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-programs
- Rotary International. Interact Clubs. https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/interact-clubs
- Rotary International. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/rotary-youth-leadership-awards
- Rotary International. Rotary Youth Exchange. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges
- Rotary International. Rotaract Clubs. https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/rotaract-clubs
- Rotary International. Rotaract Rising. https://www.rotary.org/en/rotaract-rising
- Rotary District 7040. RYLA 2026. https://rotary7040.com/page/ryla
- Rotary Club of West Ottawa. Youth Service Committee. https://rcwo.org/page/youth-service-committee
- Rotary Club of West Ottawa. Woodroffe High School Interact Club is Awake! https://www.rcwo.org/stories/woodroffe-high-school-interact-club-is-awake
- Rotary Club of West Ottawa. About Us. https://rcwo.org/stories/about-us
- Rotary Club of West Ottawa. Prepared and Positive, 3rd Edition: Register Now! https://www.rcwo.org/stories/prepared-amp-positive-3rd-edition-register-now
Published on May 01, 2026
Prepared by Douglas Baldwin