Youth Service is the fifth and most recent avenue of service as it was approved as a permanentRotary International committee during the April 2010 Council on Legislation. Although Rotarians have always supported youth activities, the creation of this fifth committee will strengthen our commitment to this vital segment of our community. This initiative, as reported in Rotary International News – 9 September 2010, will “acknowledge the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.” It has been stated that Youth Service is the future of Rotary.
Specific programs include:
- RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, 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.
- Rotaract is the collegiate level of Rotary. The Shepherdstown Rotary Club sponsors an extremely active Rotaract Club housed at Shepherd University.
- Interact is the high school level of Rotary. The Shepherdstown Rotary Club is currently in the preliminary stages of discussing the creation and sponsorship of an Interact Club in one of our county’s high schools. The goal would be for Rotaract students as well as Rotary members to serve as role models and possible mentors for these high school students.
- Rotary Youth Exchange.
Students are given the opportunity to spend up to a year living with a few host families and attending school in a different country.
Youth Service Projects
Upcoming Youth Service Sponsored Events
Rotary Youth Leadership Award Retreat
Youth Service News

Shepherdstown Rotary Club Awards Reading Grants
The Shepherdstown Rotary Club has awarded “Rotary Reads” grants totaling $1,135 to three Shepherdstown institutions to promote reading. The first grant, for $350, went to

Rotarians Read to Jefferson County 1st Graders
Volunteers from the Shepherdstown and Charles Town Rotary clubs read to all the children in the 1st grade classes at four Jefferson County elementary schools

Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Alma Cedillo, Presents Her Year Abroad
Our newest Rotex, past Exchange student, Alma Cedillo presented her year in Belgium at the morning August 13th breakfast meeting. Cedillo participated in many Jefferson

Rotary Clubs of Shepherdstown and Charles Town Award $5,000 Youth Exchange Scholarship
The Rotary Clubs of Shepherdstown and Charles Town have awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Kate Colbert of Shepherdstown, to cover most of the travel, insurance,

Current Rotary Youth Exchange Student Raises Awareness on Devastating Flood
Rotary Youth Exchange is a special thing that our club supports each year. Students go abroad and live an entire academic year. They are often

Rotary Club of Shepherdstown Supports Jefferson County Schools Special Needs Field Day
Jefferson County Schools held its 2nd Annual Special Needs Field Day Saturday April 20, 2024. The event was led by Jefferson High School Student Ja’el

Rotary Youth Exchange Host Families Needed Fall 2024
We are currently seeking Rotary Youth Exchange Host Families in our community to potentially host our incoming exchange student. The student will attend Jefferson High