The Annual Lions Multiple District program, sponsored by clubs in Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Â鶹´«Ã½AV Dakota was another successful venture this year. These three areas take turns hosting youth from countries around the world for three weeks every summer.
The North Saskatchewan District gathered in Meota on July 20 so the students could have one last day together, having fun. One host from Christopher/Emma Lake brought down his big pontoon boat and gave rides while Rene Sansregret brought his boat with a big tube and also gave rides. Some went swimming as well. This went on until 2 p.m. when they gathered for a delicious lunch hosted by the Meota Lions at the campground kitchen.
All youth attended one week at Camp Shekinah, a retreat centre near Waldheim.
The two to three weeks spent with their host families are spent doing whatever can be arranged, usually some travelling to show them more of our great Canada, especially the Rocky Mountains, West Ed Mall, Drumheller, Calgary and more. These students learn how people live in another part of the world, learn their customs, their language and foods, and have fun doing it.
Marie Milnthorp of Battleford, has resigned her position as chairperson after arranging host families and visiting youth for 10 years. This year there were 27 youth and 19 host families and everyone agreed it has been another great educational experience.
Families who hosted the exchange students, and where they were from are as follows: from Meota - Nicole Griffith, two from Finland; Gilbert and Audrey Griffith, one from Brazil and one from Turkey; Sandy and Brian Gerow, two from Mexico; from Spiritwood - Donald and Tanya Clark, one from Austria; from North Battleford - Harold and Ellie Mae Bishop, one from Brazil and one from Lithuania; David and Pauline Dishko, one from Italy and one from Germany; Janet and Garth Swanson, one from Greenland; from Battleford - Neil and Rhonda Gosling, one from Denmark; Jack and Marie Milnthorp, one from Germany and one from Mexico; Evan and Suzanne Reid, one from France; from Waseca - Troy and Michelle Donavon, one from Germany; from St. Walburg - Erin and Kevin Forbes, one from Finland; from Maidstone - Brad and Alisha Bishop, one from Finland; from Duck Lake - Leo and Bonnie Guigon, one from France; from Rosthern - Sammia Ahmed and Salmav Tahir, one from Germany; from Rosthern - Bernie and Marianne Kramchynsky, one from Mexico; from Saskatoon - Tom and Brenda Armstrong, two from Belgium; from Lake Lenore, one from Brazil; from Christopher / Emma Lake - Liz Deshenko and Gary Pederson, one from the Netherlands.
