Another outstanding session of RYLA Camp took place July 14-16 at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center!

34 high-schoolers from all around District 6360 were exposed to a wide variety of activities, presented to them by 8 Rotarian counselors, 1 outside guest presenter, and 5 members of the BCOEC staff.

On Friday, there were several inclusion maker activities, hosted by Connie High, designed to give the campers a chance to get acquainted. DG Sharalyn Davis welcomed the campers with an overview of Rotary and the 4-way test.

Saturday was filled with both mental and physical challenges, giving the campers the opportunity to explore the outer limits of their comfort zone. Leslie Wood and Emily Doherty presented an outstanding lesson regarding ethics, using the 4-way test and a guide to evaluate difficult situations. There were team challenges, a high ropes course, and the campers planted a pollinator garden! The pollinator garden effort was led by Michelle Skedgell and George Gormley. Saturday night, both Gaga Ball and a bonfire were on the agenda.

Sunday brought an opportunity to relax and enjoy canoeing on Clear Lake, before the afternoon with a family picnic, with about 50 guests.

The weekend concluded with the presentation of the team cheers, and the team projects.The campers work together as a team, throughout the weekend, to identify an issue in the world that is important to them. They then work together to find solutions to the problem, and present them to the camp staff, their families, and guests.

The projects this year were, as always, powerful, emotional, and thoughtful. One team explored the opportunity to find ways to utilize food waste to feed the hungry. Another team considered that student stress in school contributed to the excessive mental health struggles being experienced by teenagers. Finally, there were 2 teams that identified educational disparities as a major issue. One team focused on the Dominican Republic and another on Afghanistan as having among the lowest educational outcomes in the world.

All teams are encouraged to continue to pursue their concepts, and Rotary has committed their vast global network to support their pursuits.

Thanks to all Rotarian volunteers, and other volunteers, including Stephen Wood, Luke Froncheck, and Dr Troy Hendrickson. Finally, a special thanks to our camp nurse, Teri McCrum, who is vital to the success of the camp. Thanks also to all Rotary Clubs that worked with their local school districts to sponsor students. Finally, a huge thank-you to our camp registrar and administrator, Donna Tellam, for all of her hard work and dedication to make certain that all campers had the necessary documents in—lace for camp. Donna’s commitment to Rotary and RYLA are unequalled and we are all truly grateful for everything that she does.

Next year the goal is to host 60 campers. If we all work together, we can impact the lives of even more young people! View the students' RYLA Video HERE!

A wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since our earliest days. The first design was made by Chicago Rotarian Montague Bear, an engraver who drew a simple wagon wheel, with a few lines to show dust and motion. The wheel was said to illustrate "Civilization and Movement." Most of the early clubs had some form of wagon wheel on their publications and letterheads. Finally, in 1922, it was decided that all Rotary clubs should adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians. Thus, in 1923, the present gear wheel, with 24 cogs and six spokes was adopted by the "Rotary International Association." A group of engineers advised that the geared wheel was mechanically unsound and would not work without a "keyway" in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft. So, in 1923 the keyway was added and the design which we now know was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.  

On June 16th, MIDDLEVILLE ROTARY held its third annual sharpening event at the farmers market. We sharpened anything that has a sharp edge except saws with offset teeth. It took six members four hours to clear $700 in a community of about 4500 people. It took a lot of advertising in various ways but was a great service to the community and there was no charge for services. We only put out a donation container.

The club has offered the same services to the Hastings club tentatively scheduled for Aug.27. Their community has over 10,000 people so we expect a big turnout.   

With the use of drones being fairly new in law enforcement, earlier last year, the Sheriff’s department contacted other departments nationwide regarding the use of drones, as well as their associated policies and procedures. Through this research, it was determined that the drones have evolved such that they are and would be an asset to community safety and as such established a Drone Project fund through the Branch County Community Foundation. The Sheriff’s department belief is that with the drones having the ability to see more, whether from a higher elevation or with thermal camera capabilities, we will have the ability to keep the community safer, along with our officers. Late last year, through substantial donations from the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary and Union City Rotary clubs along with generous public donations to this fund, the Branch County Sheriff’s department was able to purchase a multi-purpose drone. This drone can and has already been used for searches and rescues, critical incident overwatch, crash and crime scene mapping along with assisting with felony fugitive apprehension.  

Recently, a drone presentation was given to the Coldwater Twp. Sunrise Rotary club by the Sheriff’s department. As a result of a matching District 6360 Foundation Karl Sandelin grant, the club presented the Sheriff’s department with an additional $2500 for additional accessory equipment, additional training and a smaller, more quickly deployable sister drone. The Sheriff expressed his heartfelt appreciation for Rotary’s significant contributions to the Drone project which will help the department more quickly and efficiently serve and protect the community.

Click HERE to view an AWESOME video about the recent trip to the Dominican Republic by the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Interact Club. Way to go, students!

The 26th Annual Duck Race hosted by the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club was a HUGE success, and they sold every duck- all 4,670 of them!! If your club has any rubber duckies they would like to donate to the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club, please contact Rotarian James Conroy at jconroy45@gmail.com!