The Youth Exchange Program is well underway for 2016-17.  On Saturday, August 20, the Inbound students had their orientation and first overnighter at Camp Stambaugh.  This year’s class of Inbound students represents the following 13 countries:  Denmark, Italy, France, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, Taiwan, Mexico, Germany, Chile, Spain, Argentina, and Japan.  District 6650 has 14 Outbound students.  They have been departing to their host countries since early July, with a few more to depart by early September. 
 
The Youth Exchange Committee would like to thank the following Rotary Clubs for hosting Inbound students this year:  Jackson Township, Canfield, Wooster, Canton, Poland, Boardman, Millersburg, North Canton, Sugarcreek, East Canton, Massillon, Louisville, Salem, Orrville, Minerva, Champion, and Dover.  We know finding host families can sometimes be challenging so thank you for stepping up and agreeing to participate in the program.
 
The Committee would also like to recognize those Rotary Clubs that host overnighters for the Inbound students.  These clubs always plan a fun evening for the students and many of the following clubs have participated for years.  They include: Boardman, Sugarcreek, East Palestine, Malvern, Minerva, Wooster, Youngstown, and Dover. 
 
Finally, it’s the time of year where we need to start identifying students who may be interested in participating in the Youth Exchange Program for 2017-18.  Any student interested in applying must complete a long-term exchange application found at District 6650’s Youth Exchange website.  The application is lengthy so interested students should start the application process now because applications are due by October 31, 2016.  Applicant interviews will be conducted at Louisville High School on December 4 and 11, 2016.  District 6650 also recently started offering short-term exchanges.  An interested student must complete the short-term exchange application also found at District 6650’s Youth Exchange website.  Short-term exchanges are reciprocal four-week exchanges that occur over the summer months. 
 
If you have any questions about the application process for either program or would like to volunteer to serve as an interviewer in December, please contact co-chairs Bill Wood at (330) 284-4779/wmawood@juno.com or Aletha Carver at (330) 614-1367/acarver@kwgd.com.