Youth Service

 
Youth Service promotes and supports the Club’s Youth education and leadership programs. The centerpiece of our effort is the Interact Club at La Jolla High School, a community service club open to all students. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, coordinated with the district’s annual conference, sends promising students to a weekend camp at Idyllwild. Other activities include support for the Rotary Youth International Exchange, enlistment of youth into many of our Club Service actives, and an active, committed relationship with our La Jolla-Area Schools.

Our Youth Activities Report

Craig Schniepp, Chair of Youth Service introduced us to the LEAD (Leadership Ethics, Aspirations & Determination) Program at Muirlands Middle School. Our 6 LEAD Students who went to Camp Cuyamaca this year.  Questions abounded.  Did they like the program?  Yes, they loved it!  They only wished it could have lasted longer. Their favorites were the Inspirational speakers, finding new friends, the ethical questions, the games, and their mentor, Craig Schniepp, who was always with them, cheering them on. The food wasn’t the best, but then there were the brownies, and the breakfasts of pancakes and sausages. Their cell phones didn’t work up in the Cuyamaca’s, but it didn’t matter, as they just spent more time playing. They fully intend to stay active in Interact and participate in RYLA when they are in high school.
 
These 6 LEAD Students were chosen by their Muirlands counselor Christian, who said they were the leaders and standout kids in their class.  In all, this was a win for everyone involved, including we Rotary members who had the fun of meeting them, and hearing about their experiences.
Craig Schniepp told us they had 150 students sign up for our Interact Club at LJHS this year. He works at the school with these kids every week.   Their current project is building 4 homes in Mexico before Thanksgiving this year. Later this year, District Rotary 5340 will sponsor a Musical competition, offering $2500 as a prize.  Craig also has plans to set up a model UN Program later in the year.  In Spring, our Club will sponsor 8 Students from La Jolla High and Bishops for RYLA which will be in Idyllwild. As their presentation ended, Barbara Brown told the LEAD students to stay involved.  Our Rotary Club gives $220,000 in college scholarships to local high school students each year.