Youth Protection
Rotary takes youth protection very seriously, and it relies on Rotarians to foster safe environments that prevent physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and to respond appropriately when it occurs.

RYLA youth protection policies address foreseeable risks.  All RYLA committee members and volunteers (Rotarian and non- Rotarian) must attend a youth protection training.  RYLA facilitates these trainings over the months leading up to the camp as well as at the Junior Leader training which occurs the day before RYLA camp.  The training material is in the RYLA Leader Manual.
 
All non-RYLArians at the camp must have a completed background check if they are 18 or older on the last day of the camp and are staying in the dorms overnight.

Crisis Management Plan

  • Ropes Course - Professional ropes course personnel are responsible for managing the students while at the ropes course.  Any crisis that happens on the ropes course will be handled by the ropes course personnel with RYLA leaders supporting as requested.
  • Other medical emergency -- Information found in the medical release each student submitted as part of the application will be used to attempt to contact parents and guardians if a child is seriously hurt, needs to see a doctor, or requires a prescribed medicine. In the event the parents or guardians cannot be reached, the terms agreed to in the medical release will be followed.
  • Reporting abuse - Report to RYLA chair, Rotary District Governor, and in accordance with Idaho State law.
  • Emergency contact - RYLA will provide parents and guardians the name and phone number of the RYLA emergency contact in case a participant needs to be contacted.  The information is in the Welcome Letter sent to each student’s home address in early June.

Idaho Law
Idaho statute 16-1605 : REPORTING OF ABUSE, ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT. (1) Any … other person having reason to believe that a child under the age of eighteen (18) years has been abused, abandoned or neglected … shall report or cause to be reported within twenty-four (24) hours such conditions or circumstances to the proper law enforcement agency...
RYLA leadership camp consists of:
  • Big group activities (around 100 people), mainly in the Rick Allen room in the Herrett Center. Activities include talent show, description of next small group activity, a couple of presentations, board breaking, culture walk, sing off, RYLympics competition, skits and dancing.
  • Small group activities (around 10 people), such as sharing and reflection. Small group activities are often held outside Rick Allen room on the grass.
  • RYLA is a camp where students get in touch with their emotions, fears, uncertainties, strengths, and dreams. Most students cry at some point during the camp – either out of sympathy or joy.
  • RYLA uses both low and high elements at the Trinity Pines Ropes Course. Professional trained personnel are in charge of all aspects of the activities while the students are at the ropes course.
  • Sleeping accommodations in various cabins at Cap Cascade with students providing the bedding. The students sleep 8-10 per room, in individual beds. 
  • DELICIOUS food is provided by staff at Camp Cascade.