5104 N Louis River Way, Tucson Arizona 85718 USA
ARIZONA YOUTH EXCHANGE CAMP HISTORY
The Arizona Lions Youth Exchange was originally founded as C. Kirby Smithe Lions International Youth Camp in 1981, Arizona District 21B, now a non-profit 501 C(3) organization. We are now doing business as (DBA: Arizona Lions Youth Exchange). In 2021 we will be entering our 40th year serving youth Ambassadors from around the world. We have hosted over 370 young men and women from a variety of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Between the years of 1981 and 1996, the camp enjoyed the honor of hosting the International President at our farewell dinner. Each year we host up to ten students, between the ages of 16 and 20. We provide them with a two week experience living with an Arizona host family.
The camp provides touring throughout the beautiful state of Arizona, enjoying the natural wonders of our state and learning about the diversity and culture of our area. The north trip includes visits to Wickenburg, Prescott, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mogollon Rim and Camp Tatiyee. The south trip includes Globe, a mine tour in Morenci, Safford and a visit to the Melvin Jones Memorial,Sierra Vista, Cochise Stronghold Ranch, Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Tombstone, Bisbee, Phoenix and Tucson. Our campers fly in and out of Tucson International Airport and our base camp is at a hotel in central Tucson.
We are trying to promote greater participation for outgoing students to other countries. The opportunities are vast. The student should be within the ages of 16 and 20 and must be sponsored by a local Lions club. Most camps have a minimum fee, which can be paid by the sponsoring club or the student. If you know of any youth who would like to spend a month free in any of 186 countries in the world, all you need do is contact the Arizona Youth Exchange Chairperson at the email site listed. The youth can be a son, daughter, grandchild or the child of a friend. The candidate is expected to provide transportation to and from the country of choice and to have spending money for incidentals. As a sponsor, you are expected to vouch for the good conduct and character of the youth. The time to initiate the application process is late Fall or early winter. All applications must come from the local Lions Youth Exchange Chairperson in each country, which is then sent to the Arizona Youth Exchange Chairperson for screening and final acceptance.
HOST FAMILY EXPERIENCE
Host families are always needed. The host families and the students are introduced by email and/or Facebook prior to the visit and can become acquainted through this exchange. The two weeks with a host family provides the student the opportunity to observe the American way of life and gives the host family the opportunity to learn about other cultures. This will be a truly enriching experience for any family. Host families are not required to be Lions.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR INCOMING YOUTH EXCHANGE Contact: Lion Bernie Engelhard at 520-909-8506; bengelhard@comcast.net.
SEE THE APPLICATION PAGE ABOVE TO APPLY TO NEXT SUMMER'S CAMP. WE RECOMMEND YOU APPLY PRIOR TO DECEMBER TO HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE AS THERE ARE ONLY TEN SLOTS FOR YOUTH AVAILALABLE EACH SUMMER WITH EXPECTED APPLICATIONS IN EXCESS OF FIFTY EACH YEAR. PLEASE FOLLOW THE APPLICATION DOWN LOAD INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY. FOR APPLICATION QUESTIONS
PLEASE CONTACT LION TONY LUICK, ARIZONA YOUTH EXCHANGE CHAIRPERSON AT arizonayouthexchange@gmail.com.