APRIL 26, 2016 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Camp RYLA
President Carla Hauge brought the meeting to order at 12:19 p.m. on a cloudy spring day at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Today was the Camp RYLA 2016 Closing Celebration! RYLA campers led the assembled Rotarians in singing The Star Spangled Banner accompanied by Bill Givens on the piano. A RYLA camper (Abdi) provided today's invocation. Today's Greeters were Mary Britts and Matt Halley.
Mindee Kastelic facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. There were many visiting Rotarians from all around the State befitting the Camp RYLA festivities! RYLA parents were recognized and applauded. All other RYLA celebration visitors were asked to stand and were recognized.
President Carla asked that a bit of Club 10 business be conducted. Patrick Brown rose to provide a Feed My Starving Children project wrap up. Patrick was Doug Bruce's Co-chair this year. Feed My Starving Children is in its seventh and final year. Club 10 started FMSC as a “Centennial Project”. Over 163,000 meals were packed this year bringing the seven-year total to over 1,000,000 (one million) meals! RYLA campers also participated packing 33,945 meals. RYLA rocks!
Carla then turned meeting management over to RYLA campers Britta and Isaiah. There were presentations by all teams, especially team cheers, slogans and shirts: Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple Teams all presented. Campers commented about their experiences, about developing trust, becoming family, the unbreakable bonds formed and the life changing experience that is Camp RYLA. There were brief reports about the team initiatives; the RYLA High problem-solving exercise; and, the RYLA Olympics.
John Bradford conducted a live auction to raise RYLA funds. Camper Emy Dominquez from the Purple team also reported on guest speakers Marianne Badar Ohman ("Understanding Yourself & Others") and John Crudele (Leadership) and stated: "Thank you, Rotary, for making this possible."
Brian Vance rose to speak about his experience. He thanked his fellow Junior Counselors and Adult Counselors for a great experience. He also advised the campers to get some needed sleep.
Brianna Vujovich was recognized for her efforts. She, in turn, recognized the adult counselors and junior counselors and reminded the audience that the attendees are the Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipients. It is an honor to attend RYLA. President Carla recognized Club 10 Board member Steve Gerber, Board Co-Camp Director.
Carla thanked Camp Director Brianna for being 2016 Camp RYLA Director and noted that a donation in her name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Reading Together" program. President Carla also noted that this was the 60th anniversary year for Camp RYLA. She then led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). The meeting was brought to a close at 1:11 p.m.
Chuck Standfuss, Scribe