Discover Ireland
The Irish Lion have run a highly successful Youth Camp - Discover Ireland - for many years. Youths have been hosted by Lions Clubs around the District for 2 weeks and then spend a third week together in Maynooth College, Co. Kildare.
Agreements are in place with several different countries to offer places for youths in Ireland in exchange for making places available to Irish Youths in foreign camps. This gives youths from Ireland a chance to participate in the Lions International Youth Exchange, perhaps the most successful programme of this type worldwide.
This is a great opportunity to take part in one of the major Lions international projects. Most family hosts maintain ongoing contact with the young people for many years after their visit to Ireland.
In 2007 we hosted 24 youths from 16 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, The Netherlands & Turkey.
The Aims of the Irish Exchange are:
- To enable participating youths experience Irish life in the homes of Lions Host families.
- Youths will sample the diversity of life in Ireland, our history, heritage, culture and the beauty of Irish cities,countryside and coastline.
- Through Irish families and in the youth centre our visitors will gain an understanding of Ireland and her people & at the same time become aware of the variety of customs and cultures of their fellow travelling youths.
- New friendships will be formed.
Twenty Irish youths attended camps in various countries throughout the world during Summer 2007.
Types of Youth Exchanges
Exchanges: Host family stays can be arranged in any of the more than 190 countries in which Lions clubs exist. Most exchanges last three to four weeks and the participant (ages 17 to 21) stay with one or more host families. Participants experience life as part of the host family and enjoy excursions with the host Lions club.
Camps: One or two week long camps bring together young people (ages 16 to 22) from around the world. Camps usually include a host family stay (exchange) that lasts between one and four weeks. More than 100 Lions youth camps in about 39 countries are held each year. Activities vary and can include visits to places of historic or natural interest, sports, and country presentations by camp participants.
How to Participate
Participants of the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program must:
• be between the ages of 17 and 22.
• be sponsored by a Lions club
• have a basic knowledge of the language of the host country.
• be suitable to represent their community, sponsor Lions club, and country.
• be willing to accept the customs of another culture.
• provide proof of health, medical, travel insurance, and a liability release agreement.
Contact your local Lions club for further information.
Costs and Travel Arrangements
Travel arrangements for participants are usually made between the Lions youth camp and exchange chairpersons in the sponsor and host countries. Details are passed to sponsor/host Lions clubs and participants.
Financial arrangements for transportation costs (including actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties, and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsor Lions club. Some camps require a camp fee. Lions-approved host families are an important component of the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program.
Host families share their home with a young person from another country and include the participant in the daily customs of their culture. Understanding different customs helps participants learn to accept the ways of others. At the same time, host families learn about the customs of the participant.
Host families should include the participant in their daily routine, including family meals. Local excursions are not required of host families. Often, the host Lions club arranges for a participant or a group of participants to visit local points of interest and organizes picnics and get togethers.
The sponsor Lions club, by the participant, the participant’s family, or a combination of these sources, may pay costs. The host Lions club covers arrangements for food and lodging, during the exchange.
Participants are responsible for personal expenses such as phone calls home, souvenirs, etc.
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