The 2014 Quad Cities Youth Exchange Weekend presented students with an introduction to our Midwest holiday season. After assembling Saturday morning, students attended the 2014 Festival of Trees Parade in Davenport, taking in the holiday spirit generated by the parade floats, giant balloons, bands, and of course, Santa Claus. Students also visited the Figge museum and enjoyed the "Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge".  Students then retreated to the offices of MidAmerican Energy where Rotarian Gretta Knight hosted the students for lunch and a tour of the stunning views of the Mississippi from the facility. After lunch students attended the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees at the Davenport River Center where they viewed many beautiful holiday displays of both American and International flavor.

Rotarians then transported the students to the Quad Cities Family Entertainment Center, Moline. Students enjoyed hours of laser tag, bowling, arcade games and a pizza party. The students had a non-stop blast during their four hour experience of an American family recreation center.

Later, the students moved on to the beautiful home of Rock Island Rotarian John Daly and his wife Sandy where they enjoyed fellowship, board games and more food. The students stayed overnight at the Daly's and were treated to a great breakfast Sunday morning before returning to their host Rotary Club towns. The students will long remember their great weekend in the Quad Cities!

Thanks to Moline Rotarians Angela Moody, Gretta Knight, Kimberly Crane and Gary Francque, and Rock Island Rotarians Scott VanDeWoestyne, Jeff Dismer, Tom Hamer and John & Sandy Daly for organizing, staffing, and chaperoning this event. SEE PHOTOS under Photo Albums / 2014 Quad Cities Youth Exchange Weekend.