Camp Royal

Camp Royal is the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Conference organized each June in the mountains of northern California.  The 71 Rotary Clubs of Rotary International District 5160 have been providing this leadership learning opportunity for high school students who have finished their junior year since 1979. This is a premier leadership training opportunity provided to worthy young people by our Rotary Clubs, as part of Rotary’s Youth Programs mission.

The Rotary Club of Walnut Creek has been supporting this effort since its inception. Club member Adrian Mendes (who was Club President and became District Governor) and his wife Joan were among the first to organize and provide counseling and direction for this effort. Many other Club Members have followed in these footsteps. The Club has consistently offered scholarships to deserving Walnut Creek high school juniors to attend Camp Royal since its inception.

Camp Venture

Camp Venture is a five day training and motivational camp for high school students who have finished their junior year and are interested in pursuing a career in business, particularly as entrepreneurs. It is held in late June at the Maritime Academy California State University in Vallejo. Students, sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs, have the opportunity to interact with experienced business people and meet with other students in District 5160 who have similar interests.

Since its inception in 1996, the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek has actively participated in Camp Venture by providing scholarships to local high school students and sending Club members to act as counselors/coaches.