RYLA 2019

Hi! I’m Camila Nagashiro, an exchange student from Bolivia, currently living in Marblehead MASS. My exchange year is about to end and I could not be more grateful for this opportunity. I heard about RYLA when I was in a Rotary Conference they were talking about implementing the programs of Rotary Youth Exchange and RYLA in more Clubs. I had never heard about RYLA before but after listening what was it about I asked if I could be a part of it because I thought it was going to be an amazing experience, and it definitely was.

The first time that we met everyone I was really nervous because I didn’t know a lot of people. But from the beginning of the camp, we started doing ice breaker game like Ninja, The Name game, and a couple more. They divided us into 8 families and I was part of Family G. We got on the bus and we went to the Camp that was located in Marlborough NH, and it was a beautiful place. We had about 30 minutes to settle in our rooms and to walk around before the activities started.

On Day Two we did activities that helped us to connect with our families and also to get to know them better. The first activity made me think that It was impossible to accomplish our goal but it was easier than we thought. We had to talk to each other and listen because everyone had great ideas. We tried a couple of things that didn’t work at first but then we worked as a team and we did it. It was one of my favorite activities because it helped us understand that communication is the base to solve problems, and it was not just talking it was also listening.

For Breakfast, lunch, and dinner we would be sitting with our families and that was a great way to bond and get to know each other a little more, we would talk, tell stories and laugh.  It was so special having a good connection with your family because we would trust each other and it’ll make the activities easier and even more fun! By the end of day two, we had a Fire Camp and it was actually my first one, so it was a very special moment and I will remember it forever, we made smores talked about our experience and also thanked all the people that made it possible.

The whole experience was amazing and I could not be happier to have been part of it, we played so many games and had so much fun doing all of them, but also we learned so many things from them. Most of the activities were based on building communication and problem-solving skills but also in finding strategies to become a leader in your school or community. So If you ever have the opportunity of being part of it you should totally do it! You will not regret it, I promise.