COVID

Consistent with Rotary as an organization that encourages and uses vaccines, we suggest all participants involved in RYLA camps get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. D5495 will not require vaccination or maintain proof of any volunteers’ or participants’ vaccination status.
Consistent with the CDC and the Arizona Department of Education, we encourage testing for the COVID-19 virus in order to prevent the spread. There will not be a requirement to test for the virus prior to attending RYLA camp.
Consistent with the CDC and AZED, we reserve the right to quarantine anyone who does test positive or contracts COVID-19 at the RYLA camp. If someone is known to have the virus prior to the camp starting they will not be allowed to participate— both volunteers and participants.
This policy is subject to change depending on the health requirements, guidelines, and suggestions of the CDC or AZED.

June 10-13, 2026

Help Shape the Jr. RYLA Experience

Jr. RYLA would not be possible without the incredible volunteers who make this camp come to life. Our volunteers are the backbone of the program—from developing curriculum and managing logistics, to leading teams, presenting programs, and creating an environment where middle school students feel supported, challenged, and inspired.

Volunteering at Jr. RYLA is more than giving your time. It’s about showing up with energy, heart, and a willingness to jump fully into the experience alongside our delegates.

Junior Counselors (JCs)

Junior Counselors are high school students who serve as the primary leaders for each delegate team. JCs are preferably (but not required to be) former RYLA participants and/or active members of an Interact Club.

Each JC leads a team of approximately 10 delegates and plays a key role in shaping the camp experience. They set the tone for their group by creating an upbeat, inclusive, and energetic environment where every delegate feels valued and encouraged to participate.

Junior Counselors are essential to:

Building trust and strong team connections
Encouraging participation and engagement
Supporting delegates through challenges and growth
Upholding Rotary’s vision of leadership and service

JCs help transform individual campers into cohesive teams—and often describe the role as one of the most rewarding leadership experiences of their lives.

Adult Volunteers

Team Mentors

Team Mentors are assigned to a delegate team alongside a Junior Counselor. While there are no formal requirements to serve as a mentor, Rotaractors and Rotarians are strongly encouraged to apply.

At Jr. RYLA, mentors are not supervisors—they are part of the team.

Mentors are expected to:

Participate fully in activities, games, and discussions
Support and guide delegates through the fast-paced program
Match the energy and enthusiasm of middle school youth
Encourage growth through participation, not observation

Mentors complete the same worksheets, join the same challenges, and celebrate the same victories as their delegates. When adults fully engage, delegates follow—and the experience becomes more meaningful, memorable, and fun for everyone.

This role is best suited for adults who are comfortable in a high-energy environment and eager to jump in, get messy, cheer loudly, and embrace the full camp experience.

Additional Adult Volunteer Roles

Beyond team mentoring, adult volunteers are essential to the smooth operation of Jr. RYLA. Supporting roles may include:

Program presenters
Camp security
Bus drivers
Archery supervision
Rope course supervision

All materials for presenters are provided by the Jr. RYLA curriculum chair, along with appropriate training for each role.

Safety & Selection

Adult volunteers are carefully selected from a pool of applicants and are often leaders within their communities. For the safety and well-being of all participants, all adult volunteers are required to complete an application and submit to a background check.

Volunteer privacy is respected throughout the process; however, the safety and security of our delegates is always our top priority.