Destinations - North America

Build a Snowman Experience a White Christmas Ride on a Skidoo Experience the joy of skiing

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/Unofficial/Canadiana/Travelogue.html

http://www.abasefortravelinfo.com/usatourism.html

The statement that “Lions Youth Exchange is GREAT! Is a gross understatement, it is FANTASTIC!” Says a previous Youth Exchangee

Join the fun and mateship with many other youth from all parts of Australia for Lions Youth Exchange to somewhere in North America, maybe 3 weeks in Canada and 3 weeks in the USA.

Your adventure begins when you travel to your International Departure City where you will meet your chaperone(s) and the other Lions Youth Exchange group going to Brazil.

Perhaps you need to do some last minute duty free shopping and collect any GST paid on ‘duty-free’ goods already purchased before you board your international flight to your first port of call, either San Francisco or Los Angeles. On arrival you say goodbye to your travelling companions and your chaperones and board your plane for Vancouver or maybe other famous North American towns.

On the Application Form you may nominate 3 preferences of states/countries that you may wish to be hosted in. However your Youth Exchange Chairman will make the placements, according to availability of Host Families. In past years the range of Canadian Provinces have included Ontario, Saskatchewan including North & South Dakota in U.S.A., Alberta and British Columbia including Washington and Idaho states in the U.S.A.

Maybe you wish to see more of California or Texas and parts of the North east of the USA, which places you in the USA for 6 weeks.

The exchange is for approximately 6 weeks during the Australian School Holidays departing early December and returning mid January. Six weeks of exciting new experiences in a new country, living with a host family sharing their everyday life and learning a new culture. You can expect to have two host families for a period of three weeks each, or in some cases more host families for a shorter time with each.

Living with the first Host Family, you will experience the excitement and magic of Christmas (most likely a "White Christmas") in Canada or Northern USA, the extravagant and magical Christmas decorations, the real pine decorated Christmas Tree, the gift giving, the large family gathering and activities, and of course Christmas dinner. With the second Host Family enjoy the New Year celebrations.

All host families undergo rigorous security checks and you can be assured you will be in safe hands. Many Host families are also Lions Club members.

You may experience the excitement of a National Ice Hockey match, maybe a National/College Basketball Game. You're sure to experience making a snowman, tossing snowballs, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and other snow based activities. Youth Exchange is a cultural exchange and not a tourist exchange. Youth Exchangees will not attend school on a regular basis.

You need to nominate through your local Lions Club to apply for the Lions Youth Exchange Program. If you are unable to make contact with the local Lions Club you will need to contact the Lions Youth Exchange Program Chairman to establish a contact.

Applications for Youth Exchange must be made through your local Lions Club and be received by the 30th June with a $500 non-refundable deposit. An earlier application will ensure that your choice of country will gain preference.

The Program Cost includes almost everything including return International Air Fares, Airport Taxes, Travel/Medical Insurance, All internal travel within the host country, Administration costs, stopover in Los Angeles on return trip including hotels, transfers, fun parks, sightseeing. Lions Backpack, name badge and Lions Youth Exchange Trading Pins.

All Lions Youth Exchangees are required to wear the Youth Exchange uniform which includes a navy and green Lions Youth Exchange Polo Shirt and a Youth Exchange Polar Fleece top, smart jeans or Navy slacks, Black shoes.

Excellent and thorough supply of information is available through Lions Youth Exchange Program Chairmen, Lions Youth Exchange District Chairman and the local Lions Club. All applicants must attend a District seminar.

contact MD 201 Lions Youth Exchange Program Chairman.

Departs early December. Returns Mid January. Approximate cost $4600.

For further information, contact MD 201 Lions Youth Exchange Program Chairman Helen Topp    hlntpp0@gmail.com