Wimberley Lions Club Hosts International Exchange Students
On July 15, 2024, Wimberley became an international hub for foreign exchange students hosted by the Wimberley Lions Club. Fourteen students from Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Mongolia, and Sweden enjoyed living with local Lions families. The incoming youths stay with host families in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Lake Texoma, Wimberley, and Lubbock, TX. Two of Wimberley’s youth, Lea and Maia Martin, are exchange students in Italy and returned home last week. The exchange camp allows juniors or seniors of Wimberley High School and Katherine Ann Porter Charter School to travel abroad.
The visiting exchange students and their host families received a grand welcome at the July Lions Club meeting, complete with local Mexican cuisine. “The camp program enriches all of our Lions with an opportunity to laugh, learn, and enjoy these amazing kids,” stated Lions President Doug McLean.
Lion Vanessa Jones, the exchange committee chair for the club, said, “The Julien C. Hyer camp in Texas is the only one of the 123 worldwide Lions Youth Exchange Camps located in Texas.”
https://sites.google.com/site/julienchyerlionsyouthcamp/home. Each year, an average of 30 youths visit Texas to attend the Camp. Throughout the 5-week program, the kids receive the complete Texas experience, including rodeos, line dancing, and BBQ. During their stay in Wimberley, the students experienced the Alamo, Natural Bridge Caverns, San Marcos tubing, Jacobs Well, and Blue Hole. The kids and their host families report that the experience is truly enriching.
The Camp, organized in 1973, was named in honor of past International President Lion Judge Julien C. Hyer. Hyer served as Judge Advocate during WWII, prosecuting war criminals during the Nuremberg trials. From this experience, he wished to find a way to create an exchange program that created or fostered a spirit of peace and understanding across cultures. He felt that understanding begins with the youth of the world.
“We encourage kids aged 17-19 to take this opportunity to enrich their cultural knowledge. We welcome applications if your child wants to become a foreign exchange student next year. Please visit our website https://www.wimberleylions.com/youthexchange for information on the application, eligibility requirements, and fees. Additionally, on this site, you can view a video of four of last year’s KAPS and Wimberley High School students describing their international experiences.” said Vanessa Jones.
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