Barton Community College will host the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp Friday through Sunday at Camp Aldrich. RYLA is a worldwide program that provides future leaders the opportunity to expand and hone their leadership skills. The program enables young people to debate issues of professional responsibility and human relations, improve leadership and communication skills, and meet Rotarians while having fun and making friends.

The camp is sponsored by Rotary District 5670 for high school juniors and seniors who are sponsored by their local Rotary clubs. The district is comprised of 31 clubs, located in the northwest quarter of the state. Students will attend from as far west as Goodland and as far east as Washington.

"I have been with this leadership camp from the beginning since 2001," said Odetta Marietta, past district governor of RYLA. "It pleases me greatly to see the skills and educational benefits these young people derive from this camp. I encourage all of the Rotary clubs in the district to send as many young people from their area as the club can afford and they will be greatly rewarded for this."

During the camp, participants will hear from speakers, and learn from volunteers as well as interact with other RYLA participants from across the state. Courses include Fundamentals of Leadership, Ethics of Leadership, Importance of Community Skills in Effective Leadership, Problem Solving and Conflict Management, Rotary’s Purpose and Service to the Community, Building Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem, and Elements of Community and Global Citizenship.