Welcome to the wonderful world of Lions Youth Exchange. Each year the Lions of Multiple District 5, which is comprised of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and South Dakota provide assistance to the youth of their nine districts to take part in what has become a truly wonderful experience of learning about other cultures of the world.
The nine districts in our multiple also take in many youth from foreign countries during the winter and again in the summer.
Youth who are not necessarily Lions children are chosen by Lions clubs to take part in this unique opportunity.
Exchanges generally last from three to six weeks and some may also spend an extra week at an International Youth Camp where they will get to learn the cultures of many more countries from the youth attending this camp.
MD5 has a camp each year with the three geographic areas of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and South Dakota alternating in the hosting of the camp.
This year it will be hosted by North Dakota and already youth from 16 countries have applied to attend the camp.
Youth Exchange provides cultural knowledge not only for the youth that are involved but also for the parents hosting these youth. Many life long friendships have been realized from some of these exchanges.
These exchanges are not to be considered a holiday nor are they to be conducted for the purpose of a formal education, employment or career advancement.
All youth are expected to serve as representatives of their communities and countries.
Youth Exchange was officially adopted in 1962. It is founded on the first object of Lionism, TO CREATE AND FOSTER A SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG PEOPLES OF THE WORLD.
What better way for Lions Clubs to do this than have the youth of our communities take part in a program that offers opportunities of a life time.
Please consider the Lions Youth Exchange Program for your club, just open a door, a whole new world is waiting on the other side. We are always looking for host families for youth who would like to learn about our cultures and ways of life.
