Youth Service

Youth service recognizes that positive results occur when youth and young adults are involved in leadership development, community and international service projects and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.

Youth Exchange Program

With Rotary Youth Exchange, students participate in an international exchange program through Rotary International. These students become global citizens through appreciation of and exposure to new cultures. This program also helps to serve Rotary’s mission of peace-building throughout the world.
Newark Rotary Club has hosted and sponsored several students over the last few years.

• 2007-2008 Jakub Tomko from Bratislava, Slovakia spent a year attending school in Newark hosted by the Yost family.
• 2008-2009 Eduardo Zanella from Brazil hosted by the Yost family.
• 2011-2012 Marit Solhaug Naess from Enebakk, Norway hosted by the Wade family.
• 2012-2013 Pamela Sanchez from Santiago, Chile hosted by the Adams family, Mill family, and the Jurden family.
• Summer 2013 Eleanor Wade of Newark, OH and Anna Berta Dolari-Bondanini of Modena, Italy participated in a Short-term Family to Family Exchange.
• Summer 2014 Ian Billig of Newark, OH and Luiz Fernando Ferraresso, Jr. of Monte Alegre do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil did a Peer to Peer Exchange.
• 2014-2015 Eleanor Wade of Newark, OH was sponsored on her year-long visit to Podebrady, Czech Republic.
  2014-2015 Antoine Groutars of Brussels, Belgium was hosted by the Horvath family and the Wade family.
• Summer 2016 Carol Chen of Newark, OH and Marie Opressant of Cannes, France did a Short-Term Exchange.
• 2018-2019 Maulin Mehta from Surat,India is hosted by the Roach family and the Centofanti family.

Interact Club

RYLA

RYLA is an opportunity for high school students to join other outstanding youth from throughout central and southeastern Ohio for a three day leadership camp where they will learn about themselves, learn from others and have FUN!

District 6690’s annual RYLA conference, is based on a program initiated by Rotary International. The purpose of the program is to identify young people who have demonstrated leadership skills or show the potential to be leaders, and give them an opportunity to explore and develop those skills with others with similar capabilities.

During the conference, participants will

• explore their own style and strengths;
• learn skills that will enable them to be aware of and able to address community needs;
• interact with adult role models who are active in their professions and community;
• develop and learn leadership skills
• develop an appreciation for community service.

RYLA is a chance for students to meet other outstanding students from central and southeastern Ohio while learning about themselves, learning from others and having fun. An outstanding group of facilitators are planning for a successful RYLA event and are looking forward to our conference.

PROGRAM

Students will arrive on Thursday morning for registration. Students will be assigned roommates who are not from their school or hometown, and will be purposely mixed up throughout the weekend in order that they can meet all participants.

For three days students will be participating in group learning activities, discussions, speakers, interaction with peers and social activities. Participants’ days are filled from breakfast to lights out. Elements of the program build on each other and students must be willing and able to commit to the entire weekend in order to provide the best experience for all.

CONFERENCE TOPICS INCLUDE

Learning to Dialogue: how to share views in a constructive way, leading to better understanding;

• Behavioral styles: better understanding of oneself and the value of different behavioral styles and the effects of different behaviors on a group;
• Rotary: learning about and understanding the Four Way Test, and the purpose and activities of Rotary International;
• Society: looking at the role values play in our modern society and understanding the Pillars of Character.