Promoting the Program
To inform local youth (ages 15-22) about the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program, some clubs or districts organize essay contests to select participants. Or, clubs may consider distributing notices to:

• local schools
• youth centers
• community centers 
• houses of worship
• local media

Interested young people, usually with the help of the sponsor Lions club or district youth camp and exchange (YCE) chairperson, completes a participant application form. 

Preparing Participants
The YCE chairperson explains requirements to the young person regarding:

• passport
• visa (in some instances)
• immunizations
• proof of travel insurance, health insurance and indemnity papers (required for all participants).
• travel arrangements

The host YCE chairperson/host Lions club arranges for host families and then communicates this information to the sponsor YCE chairperson. All final arrangements should be shared with the host family, host club, sponsor club, participant, district governor and multiple district YCE chairperson

Successful youth camp and exchange programs include cultural orientations. Both the sponsored participants and the host families should attend an orientation meeting.  This can be conducted by the host/sponsor Lions club and/or YEC chairperson.

After the exchange, invite participants to take part in other Lion activities (Leo club, fundraisers, YCE promotion etc). Visit the Past Participants page.

To order youth camp and exchange publications, click here.