RYLA Testimonials

RYLA has touched many young leaders lives in a multitude of ways. While it is impossible to predict how and where each camper will grow, RYLA provides the tools and the environment to cultivate the world’s next generation of innovative leaders. Hear what past campers and current counselors have to say about RYLA.

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“Out of all the extracurriculars I participated in during high school, RYLA had and continues to have the biggest impact on my life and my development as an individual and as a leader.”

 

 

 

 

“Come to RYLA with no expectations, but allow the week to fill you with new experiences. If you do this, RYLA will change your life.“

 

 

 

 

 

“On the drive to Camp Hinds for my first year at RYLA I was feeling anxious, nervous, excited, and had no idea what to expect. Instantly I could feel a sense of inclusion and open-arms that I had almost forgotten existed with students my age. This sense of inclusion and willingness to actually make the world a better place was everywhere at RYLA, and I left determined not to forget how good life can be. I am not sure what my life would look like if I hadn’t attended RYLA. I didn’t know it at the time, but the moment I stepped onto Camp Hinds my life had changed, and now, looking back, RYLA has shaped much of what I will remember as my high school experience.“

 

“I can assure you that experiencing RYLA yourself is an experience like none other. You, and only you, will determine the growth and impact you choose to have on yourself and others.”

 

 

 

“This program has not only helped me grow as an individual but it has given me the opportunity to impact the younger generation year after year in hopes that they will take what that have learned and go into their community to do the same.”

 

 

 

“RYLA is an adventure that enables people to visualize their best selves, and then become whoever that might be. “

 

 

 

 

 

“Attending RYLA was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I will be forever grateful for the experiences I have had and the friendships and support system I have gained. To anyone considering attending RYLA, just do it. What you gain will far surpass any apprehension you initially have.”

 

 

“RYLA to me is so much more than just a camp tucked away in the Maine woods. RYLA is a mindset and a lifestyle that I try to embody everyday through the way I live my life. It is leading by example and knowing when to let someone else take the reins. It’s listening, and not just hearing the opinions of others. It’s recognizing that people are people and no two are the same. RYLA is something that changed my perspective on the world and life when I went as a camper and it continues to act as compass everyday since.”

 

“RYLA is like no other program. It is a phenomenal opportunity to help students navigate so many difficult situations in life as a strong, thoughtful leader. I have personally gathered so much from this as a camper and now as a facilitator. I learn so much from my co-facilitators and campers every day and am adamant that this has developed my character more than if I had not become part of this program. Every year at RYLA, it is a refresher for who I want to be, what my personal and community-oriented goals are, and I get to do all of this personal growth while helping others do the same. It is an incredible opportunity to be part of this program!”

 

“RYLA is where I become my best self. Surrounded by people who foster your strengths, you learn how to be confident in your contribution to your community. Becoming a better leader isn’t about changing, it’s about recognizing and growing upon the strengths that are already inside of you. Whether you know what they are or not, RYLA provides the opportunity to become your best self, long term.”

 

 

“RYLA provides a unique opportunity to be vulnerable. The fast-paced schedule encouraged me to take chances and try new things with people I had never met before. Through challenging activities and provocative group discussions I developed a surprising amount of trust within my LEG that allowed me to think critically about who I am and how I can be an effective leader in my school, community, and relationships. As a facilitator, I have been able to witness how others experience camp and try my best to help them embrace discomfort as an opportunity for growth. Four days doesn’t seem like much, but the experiences RYLA produces will last for years.”

 

“RYLA is like a sports camp for leadership. During my camp year, the supportive RYLA community allowed me to take risks with my leadership style and take on different roles that I would not have had the confidence to do in my everyday life. This allowed my leadership skills and my awareness of them to grow exponentially in my four days. I have continued to return to Camp Hinds each year to provide that experimental space for more rising juniors!

 

 

I think that RYLA is important because it’s an opportunity for kids to tap into their truest self. Campers should come to RYLA because it’s a once in a lifetime experience and there truly isn’t anything out there that can compare to it. It is an opportunity to grow, learn, and discover about yourself and about the world around you. RYLA is the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had and I think that all people should have the opportunity to come to RYLA and experience that for themselves.

 

The opportunity to explore and discover at Camp Hinds will always be the sprinkles on top of my ice cream. RYLA did give me the chance to find out who I was as a leader but then it took this one step further. It gave me the tools to grow into the leader I wanted to become. I had never made this distinction before and yet it was so empowering that I needed to come back

 

 

Every person deserves to experience the power of RYLA. Those who utilize every aspect of this program will most definitely walk away a better person, leader, and community member. Furthermore, coming to camp is only the first step; the essence of RYLA is planted during camp and grows with the passing years.  By coming to camp you are taking a huge step in developing how you will perceive the world for years to come.