NOT JUST FOUR LETTERS

By Katelyn Chapman

    RYLA. These four letters probably hold no significance to the person reading this, but to me they mean more than words can begin to describe. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award. It is far more than just an "award." The summer between my sophomore and junior year, I was chosen for RYLA. I was excited for the RYLA "experience," even though I truly didn't realize what I was getting myself into.

    June 26th came around, and it was time to start my RYLA adventure at Camp Hinds in Raymond, Maine. I was prepared for the physical challenges that would be set forth. RYLA was just another opportunity to test my physical ability, or so I thought.

    Arriving at RYLA, I was automatically placed in a L.E.G. (Leadership Experience Group) with kids from all across Maine and New Hampshire. Over the four short days, I formed a special bond with all nine members of my group. We were able to take our individual strengths and combine them to successfully complete getting over the wall, through the high ropes course, and other rigorous activities. When the last day snuck up on us, I did not want to leave. I had formed so many meaningful relationships and found out so much about myself.

    It wasn't until a couple weeks after RYLA, when I had time to really reflect on my experience, that I truly realized the impact that it had on me. I came away from RYLA with new friendships that left me comforted and inspired. For the first time, I was put into an atmosphere where all the other kids were like me. They were normal teenagers who had the drive for excellence and the desire to lead.

    Along with meeting other positive people, I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. The different RYLA activities required us to formulate a plan and execute it as efficiently and successfully as possible. Being thrown into a group with nine other peers who considered themselves leaders, I realized immediately that to be successful I couldn't be an ego-oriented leader. Thrust into this new environment, I stepped back and realized that for a group to be successful, everyone has to recognize when it is his/her time to step up or to follow someone else's lead. I evaluated myself and realized what strenghts I could contribute to help make our LEG successful; I determined that they were my athletic ability, caring nature, listening skills, willingness to take charge, positive attitude, and competitiveness.

    The positive impact of my short experience at RYLA made me want to somehow give back. This past summer I applied to be a volunteer facilitator for RYLA. I was absolutely elated to find out I had been chosen as one of the few asked to come back. My facilitator had personally recommended me as someone who he thought would make a great facilitator and that played a big role in my getting invited back.

    Being a facilitator was a totally different role from being a camper the summer before. My co-facilitator and I were responsible for ten campers. In each activity, we had the chance to observe everyone individually and as a group. It was amazing to see kids grow from the first day to the last.

    One activity my L.E.G. did that I will never forget is the wall. When we arrived at the wall, I doubted their ability to get over it. It is a fifteen foot wall, and they did not look like they would physically be able to surmount it. I was hoping they would prove me wrong. Everyone got up the wall except the last person. There were two people left on top to help the girl on the bottom. She kept running and jumping off the wall, trying to reach the fingertips of the two on top, so they could pull her up.  After half an hour of numerous attempts, she ran, jumped off the the wall, and the two boys on the top just barely grasped her arms. They pulled her up safely over the wall onto the platform. The three of them embraced each other; everyone roared with cheers.

    Tears welled up in my eyes and started trickling down my face. The other facilitator, an 18-year old young man, came over and looked at me. I glanced at him speechless. He responded, "nothing can explain what we just witnessed right there. That was ecstasy."

    That ecstasy I cannot fully explain in words. It was one of the most special moments in my life. I  saw my group of ten campers accomplish something that I truly thought was impossible for them to do. I saw them persist and remain resilient. No, I was not one of the campers that succeeded at getting over the wall. but I was their their faciltator.I relished their victory. I was ecstatic to have helped provide them with the opportunity that they had. I saw them succeed, and it felt better than anything that I have succeeded at before.

    My mission had been completed. I had truly given back to RYLA for the life inspiring experience I had as a camper. Additionally, I learned even more as a facilitator and was able to see how other people's success can be savored just as much as your own. Attending RYLA as a facilitator and camper helped define, enlighten, strengthen, and continue to inspire me to be a better person every day. RYLA is far more than four letters to me.  

    Please click on "Photo Album" for a picture of Katelyn speaking to our club.