Rotary Youth Exchange Winter Orientation
More than 100 people involved in District 5010's Rotary Youth Exchange gathered at Pike's Landing in Fairbanks Alaska to work with exchange students (inbounds, outbounds and rebounds) and youth exchange counselors (adults who provide guidance and role models for Rotary's youth exchange mission of building world peace one student at a time!)
Students received counseling on cultural awareness from renown psychologist Dr Dennis White from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; training on awareness of sexual abuse, and substance abuse; participated in a variety of culture role playing activities (Bafa-Bafa). Adults received training in the latest US State Department youth exchange program requirements and shared issues of working with young adults. Best of all, the District's 24 outbound students learned where they would be spending their upcoming exchange year and had the opportunity to meet with inbounds and rebounds from their respective countries to begin the discovery journey! The event's team building activity involved everyone learning how to "curl" at the Fairbanks Curling Club. Local Rotarians and Club members worked with the Youth Exchange group to teach the fundamentals of curling and then let everyone try their hand! I don't think we will be sponsoring a Rotary Youth Exchange team in the upcoming Winter Olympics, but everyone had a great time!
Thanks to Cheryl Combs (District 5010 Inbound Coordinator) and Cheryl Keepers (Northern Regional Area Coordinator) for their time and energy coordinating this amazing experience!
If anyone is interested in getting involved in Youth Exchange (as a YEO or as a host family) please see you local Youth Exchange Officer for more information!