Participation as a Lions international youth exchangee and/or Lions international youth camper is often a life-changing experience. Traveling to another country, living with a host family, and experiencing another culture are milestone events.

To read an article about youth exchange and youth camps that appeared in the international headquarters edition of THE LION Magazine, click here.

Every Lions international youth exchangee and youth camper must receive sponsorship from a Lions club. Lions often sponsor young people for participation in both the Lions International Youth Exchange and Lions International Youth Camp Programs.

Lions international youth exchangees are between the ages of 15 and 21. Lions international youth campers are between the ages of 16 and 22. Both of these youth programs fulfill the First Purpose of the Lions:

        To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. 

Officially adopted in 1961, the Lions International Youth Exchange Program is not conducted for tourism, education, or employment. Instead, it is a unique cultural learning opportunity.

Participants of the Lions International Youth Exchange Program must:

• be between the ages of 15 and 21;
• be sponsored by a Lions club;
• have a basic knowledge of the language of the host country;
• be suitable to represent their community, Lions club, and country;
• be willing to accept the customs of another culture.

Potential youth exchangees must request local Lions club sponsorship. When multiple requests are received or in the absence of requests, Lions clubs often conduct speech contests, essay writing contests or personal interviews to select youth exchangees.

Exchanges can occur in any of the countries in which Lions clubs exist. Most exchanges last about four weeks. Often, exchangees also participate in a one or two-week Lions international youth camp.

Travel arrangements for exchangees are made between the Lions youth exchange chairpersons in the sponsoring and hosting regions.

The costs of transportation (including actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties, and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions club. These costs may be paid by the club from district funds (if available), by the youth, his or her family, are by some combination of these sources.

Food and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the hosting Lions club.

Exchangees are responsible for personal expenses (approximately US$75 per week) such as phone calls home, souvenirs, etc.

Exchangees with physical disabilities have successfully participated in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program.

If you are interested in becoming a Lions youth exchangee, begin by contacting your local Lions club or district youth exchange chairperson.

Click here to access the Multiple District and District Youth Exchange Chairperson Directory.

If you cannot locate your local Lions club, click here.

Lions International Youth Camp Program  

The objectives of the program are:

• To bring young people of different countries into meaningful contact with each other
• To permit the sharing of ideals and cultural viewpoints
• To promote international understanding and goodwill, and to work toward the goals of world peace and human understanding
• To develop leadership potential in outstanding youth
• To encourage respect in young people for the thinking of others

The first international camp was organized, supervised and financed by the Lions of Sweden in 1974. Since that first camp, Lions clubs all over the world have continued to invite young people to their countries to attend Lions youth camps as a means of fostering international understanding.

All Lions international youth camps include: the word "Lions" in its official title; a minimum one-week program; the participation of young people from different countries; and activities consistent with the program's objectives.

These activities include visits to places of historic, industrial, educational, scientific, religious or natural interest; visits to the homes of representative families (if applicable); structured group activities such as folk dancing or flag presentations; non-political, non-nationalistic discussions concerning world issues; physical activities such as team sports, rafting, or singing; and quiet, relaxing activities such as writing entries in a camp journal.

Lions clubs, districts or multiple districts around the world have hosted international youth camps. Some camps have been held in rural settings while others have occurred in urban settings, college dormitories and on sailboats!

Examples of Lions international youth camps include:

• A traveling camp throughout North Carolina, USA. The campers slept in tents.
• A Massachusetts, USA, camp for young people with diabetes.
• A winter camp in Canada for youth from the Southern Hemisphere.
• An arctic camp sponsored by the Lions of Norway.
• A 10-day sailing camp around Finland.
• A camp for physically disabled young people located in Italy.
• A '"Sound of Music" camp for musicians and vocalists held in the Austrian Alps.
• A cruise from Moscow to Saratov down the Volga River.
• An outdoors camp held in New Zealand.
• A cultural camp in Thailand which featured a visit to the Grand Palace.
• A nature conservation camp in the Republic of South Africa which included a hike through a wildlife reserve.

Click here for the current list of Lions International Youth Camps.

Travel arrangements and the cost of international travel (actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions club. Sources of income include the club (after implementing special fundraisers or using district funds), the youth and/or his family, or a combination.

The cost of arranging a Lions international youth camp is the responsibility of the host Lions club. If a Lions-approved home stay is added before or after a camp program, the host club is responsible for financing. The host family agrees to provide lodging and meals for the young person.

Lions youth camp participants are expected to provide their own spending money during both the youth camp and youth exchange experiences. In some cases, campers or their parents may be required to provide some financing.

If you are interested in becoming a Lions youth camper, begin by contacting your local Lions club or district youth exchange chairperson for sponsorship.

Click here to access the Multiple District and District Youth Exchange Chairperson Directory.

If you cannot locate your local Lions club, click here.