The Rotary Club of Sedona Village celebrated a year of impactful youth service during its May 7 meeting, highlighting leadership programs, scholarships, theatre experiences and international exchange opportunities that benefited local students and families.
One parent shared how Rotary programs profoundly affected their family:
“It was really the most incredible experience hosting exchange student Samuel Knigge. It was really good for our daughter, too. She seems like a different person ever since RYLA (Rotary’s leadership camp). Rotary has been such an amazing influence on all our lives. Thank you, really, from the bottom of our hearts.”
The Youth Services Team began the Rotary year by hosting Missoula Children’s Theatre in July 2025, serving 55 youth actors and an audience of 269 attendees. The production is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Sedona Village, Sedona Community Library and Sedona Parks and Recreation.
Exchange student Samuel Knigge arrived from Norway before the school year and spent a busy year in Sedona through Rotary Youth Exchange. He lived with three host families, played four high school sports and participated in Rotary-sponsored trips and leadership activities, describing the experience as unforgetta Village Rotary also continued mentoring the Sedona Red Rock High School Interact Club, whose 50 student members completed 464 hours of community service through more than 18 projectsIn partnership with Sedona Rotary and Red Rocks Rotary, the club sent 15 students to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in Prescott. Students returned with increased confidence, leadership skills and a stronger commitment to service. No other school in Rotary District 5495 sends as many students to RYLA.
In March, 13 Rotarians and community volunteers taught Life Skills Classes for 161 middle school students on topics including first aid, entrepreneurship, financial planning and conflict resolution. Due to the program’s success, the school requested its return next year.
This summer, nine students will attend specialized camps through Rotary scholarships, including soccer, ballet, music and cross-country training programs. Additional scholarships will support Parks and Recreation camps, and Fernando Quisumbing will attend the Sister Cities Youth Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
Club members also assisted with the launch of a Lunches Out of Landfills program at West Sedona School and plan to expand it next year to the middle school. Village Rotary will additionally support local students attending Junior RYLA this summer.
To ensure student safety, the club has implemented Youth Protection Protocols requiring Rotarians who work frequently with youth to complete background checks and online safety training designed to promote awareness and proactive youth protection measures.
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village welcomes visitors and new members interested in supporting local youth. Meetings are held at the Big Park School Sedona Community Library on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:30 a.m., moving to 8 a.m. beginning in July.
For more information, contact president@SedonaVillageRotary.org. All are welcome!