Organizing and participating in a youth exchange program is a big commitment. Before you get started, it’s important to understand the steps you should take to qualify for this exciting program.
Before being approved for a YMCA Youth Exchange Canada program, organizers should:
- Write an exchange proposal that reflects YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada objectives
- Design a project geared to a specific field of interest, such as geography, history, the arts, sciences, the environment, second language or community development (where appropriate)
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Organize the exchange experience, including activities before, during and after the exchange, in keeping with YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada objectives
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After the program is approved, organizers should:
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Raise awareness of the exchange with parents and throughout the community using information sessions, letters, local media, etc.
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Find meaningful ways to involve participants in all aspects of the exchange
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Assign a twin to each participant
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Plan a varied program of activities with the twin group
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Organize fundraising activities and establish partnerships with sponsors such as municipalities, businesses, community organizations, the local media, etc.
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Take appropriate measures to ensure participants’ security; conduct the mandatory screening of host families; make sure members of the group are adequately insured; make note of any medical conditions among group members
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Return the required documents to the address indicated by the assigned due date
During the exchange, organizers should:
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Take responsibility for the group at all times while staying in the host community
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Take responsibility, along with parents, for hosting the twin group
After the exchange, organizers should:
Youth participants in YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada are also expected to play a part by:
- Taking an active role in all three phases of the exchange experience: planning and preparing the exchange, organizing activities while hosting the twinned group, and taking part in post-exchange activities including the evaluation
- Bringing commitment and energy to the exchange process
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Sharing the experience with other youth, schools, and the community at large (meetings, articles in local newspapers, interviews, etc.)
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Filling out the participant’s evaluation form
Last, but by no means least, the YMCA is also committed to adhering to certain roles and responsibilities. As part of this program, we:
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Evaluate group applications
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Facilitate the twinning of groups where required
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Coordinate travel between the twinned communities
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Support the organizers by answering their questions, helping them solve problems, and providing documentation and orientation sessions when appropriate
