maryvillerotary@gmail.com | Rotary International

“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Youth Opportunities

Interact – Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 14 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact.

Rotaract – Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. Rotaract clubs are either community or university based, and they’re sponsored by a local Rotary club. This makes them true “partners in service” and key members of the family of Rotary.

RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary’s leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth.

Youth Exchange – Rotary Youth Exchange students spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country….making a difference! More than 8,000 young people each year have experiences like these through Rotary Youth Exchange. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. High school students age 15-19 are eligible to participate.

Youthact – Youthact is a program of Service Above Self for middle school students ages 11 to 14. Very similar to Interact (high school) and Rotaract (college/university/community), Youthact is the next level downward in age as it relates to Rotary youth programs.