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Youth Conference Gets Green Light from Board of Directors

Download Registration Form
Download Registration Form

At the August meeting, the Board of Directors gave the go ahead for the planning of a Youth Leadership Conference in the summer of 2007. Clubs will be asked to sponsor young Ruritans and Ruri-Teens (either from their club or from other clubs in their district) to take part in this fantastic opportunity for fellowship while learning leadership skills and increasing their enthusiasm for serving their communities through their membership in Ruritan and/or Ruri-Teen.

This event is proposed for July 20-22, 2007 (pending sufficient interest) and will be held at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center, located on Smith Mountain Lake, about 70 miles northeast of the Ruritan Home Office in Dublin, VA. This has to be one of the most beautiful and exciting settings possible for this Youth Leadership Conference. Every club in Ruritan is being provided a DVD about the center in their 2006-2007 Club Kit materials. You can also visit the website to see more about the facility at their website. The conference will be open to students ages 9 - 19 who are members of Ruritan or Ruri-Teen clubs at a cost of $100 per student plus transportation to and from the center. The fee will include all activities and meals during the conference.

The conference will include: horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, riflery, archery, swimming (pool), low rope course, climbing wall, teambuilding, campfire ceremonies, flag ceremonies, field Olympics, computer lab and recreation time are some of the programs that will be available. There is also a possibility for ceramics, sewing, art or leather classes if enough interest is shown. In addition there will be times for leadership training and specific workshops about what it means to be a Ruritan.

Representatives from the Youth Committee noted, "There is nothing in Ruritan more important than our youth. Without them there is no future for Ruritan. We do not want any youth left behind because they could not afford to be a part of this exciting event that could shape their future and the future of Ruritan. The Youth Committee’s goal is for these young people is to build their leadership skills while they learn more about Ruritan and community service. We will wrap all this great education in a fantastic, fun time full of fellowship and joy. The facility provides a safe and inviting space for all of this to take place."

Ruritan clubs are asked to respond to the flyer in their club kit, letting the Board know if they have youth members who might be interested or if they are willing to sponsor a youth from another club who might want to attend this conference. Send no money at this time. Early in 2007, applications for the conference will be mailed to any club expressing interest and will also be available through the Home Office, RURITAN magazine and Ruritan website.

Anyone with additional questions is invited to call the Ruritan National Service Department toll free at 877-787-8727 ext. 28 or email Ruritan National Service Department. You may also contact National Director Wayne Owens, member of the Youth Committee, at 480 Dogwood Club Road, Spartanburg, S.C. 29302 or call him at (864) 585-8683 or email him directly.