Service Above Self: Rotary trains young leaders

By Margie Booyens on March 29, 2025.

Are you 30 years of age or younger and looking for an amazing experience?

Oh, to turn back the clock! Rotary offers so many opportunities for young people, to develop leadership skills, serve communities, increase world understanding, and build friendships! Here’s a summary:

Are you in the 18-30-year bracket? The New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) program opens the world to you! The purpose of this custom-made program is to offer you, in a country of your choice, for the time you have available, exposure to your chosen career in that country, as well as the opportunity to serve others through volunteering, and to enjoy a cultural exchange. Interested? Email newgenerations@rotary5360.ca

For youth who wish to participate in a three-day leadership development program, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is just the job. This opportunity is open to secondary school students, university and college students, and young professionals. The focus is on leadership fundamentals and ethics, communication skills, problem-solving and conflict management, and community and global citizenship. Read more: https://rotary 5360.ca/page/ryla

Rotary Youth Exchange is well-known globally. Many Medicine Hat families have participated in it over the decades. More than 8,000 students participate each year. The long-term exchange offers young people (ages 15.5 to not yet 18 at the time of departure), the opportunity to spend up to a year, living with host families and attending school in a different country.

The short-term exchange program (STEP) is a reciprocal family-to-family exchange for High School students between the ages of 15-19 at the time of the exchange. It is a great way to gain international understanding, while becoming familiar with another culture, over the summer months. Read more on: https://rotary5360.ca/page/rotary-youth-exchange

Know anyone between 13 and 17 years who has demonstrated courage, perseverance and resourcefulness in their daily lives? Connect them to the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). This is an annual 4-day camp for aspiring leaders, held in May, on the Little Bow Travers Reservoir. It is ideal for teenagers looking to develop their leadership skills, expand their comfort zone, and try out a new adventure. Sound good? For more information: https://rotary5360.ca/page/rypen

And then there are the Rotary ADVENTURE programs!

A new Rotary Adventure program has been designed for 15-18 years old individuals interested in an exploration of activities, history and current issues in the Canadian Rockies. Adventures in Mountain (AIM) participants will experience a variety of expert-guided explorations of recreation and educational activities, in and around the Canmore region. AIM participants will focus on an understanding of the existing landscape, while engaging in creative thinking, regarding the future of mountainous regions in Alberta and other parts of our country. In addition, students will be treated to outstanding Canmore hospitality and can make new friends from all parts of our great country. For more information, email: RotaryClubofCanmore@gmail.com

The Rotary Adventures in Career and Financial Wellness Camp is a transformative experience designed to help teens ages 14-17 make informed career and financial decisions. This camp offers hands-on learning, interactive sessions, and real-world insights from industry professionals, giving participants the tools they need to design a prosperous and secure future.

For more information about the Career and Financial Wellness Camp, as well as Adventures in Citizenship and Adventures in Technology, email: info@adventuresin5360.ca

There are two more opportunities, so please read on!

For young people, 13-15 years, interested in business, Rotary offers a one-week entrepreneurial-based camp which combines business education training with a summer camp atmosphere: Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp (RAYEC). Campers are put into business teams where they develop a business idea, meet with suppliers and bankers, and build a product or service. These ventures are open for business on the final day of camp. For more information, visit: https://rotary5360.ca/page/rayec

Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Currently, there is just one Interact Club in Medicine Hat, located in the Medicine Hat High School. Though guided by the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, it governs and supports itself. The long list of projects undertaken by this Interact Club includes the decoration of a children’s ward in the Provincial Hospital in Medicine Hat, fundraising for Polio Plus, and support of the Root Cellar and the women’s shelter.

Please spread the word! These are opportunities for our youth that have the power to change their lives, in turn impacting our communities and our world, in a myriad of positive ways! Thank you, Rotary, locally and internationally!

Why not change your life? Become a Rotarian! https://rotary5360.ca/page/become-a-member

Submitted by Rotary Club of Medicine Hat member, Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com).