Japanese Exchange Program Opportunity

From Brian Wibby:

I am an Educator with the 4-H Youth Development Program of Michigan State University Extension.  I coordinate an international exchange program which brings a delegation of youth (ages 12-16) from Japan to Michigan for 4 weeks this summer.  I am desperately searching for Michigan families who would be able to host a Japanese student in their home July 27-August 23, 2013.   Families do not need to be involved in the 4-H program in order to host, this program is open to ALL Michigan families! 

A flyer with information about the exchange program, as well as the profiles of the Japanese youth who I need to find host families for is available to see here:http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.630942/workspace_id.-30/Michigan%204-H%20Japan%20Delegate%20List.pdf/

Host families have the option of picking-up and dropping off their Japanese student in Dearborn, Lansing, Mount Pleasant, Grayling, Mackinaw City, or Marquette.  During the exchange, host families are not required to participate in any specific activities, although many host families choose to attend some local 4-H events, county fairs, or get together with other host families in their area.  Host families do not need to be able to speak Japanese in order to host.  The Japanese youth can sleep in a bedroom with a child of the same sex, but they do need to have their own bed or mattress. 

Families interested in hosting one of the students may contact me to receive an application packet, or they can download a packet from here:http://4h.msue.msu.edu/uploads/files/2013%20Japan%20Summer%20Inbound%20-%20Host%20Family%20Application%20Packet.pdf

We generally have quite a few homeschool families participate in this exchange program, and the hands-on, experiential learning nature of the program fits especially well with the educational philosophies of many homeschooling families.  I would be greatly appreciative if you would consider sharing this with other families that you know who might be interested in hosting one of the remaining students! 

I'd be grateful to answer any questions you have about the exchange.  Thank you very much for your time and consideration!

Brian

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Brian Wibby

Extension Educator

Michigan State University Extension

184 US Highway 41 East

Negaunee, MI 49866

phone: 906.475.5731

Summer Art Camp Week

An Art Sculptures Class with Elizabeth Howe will be held June 24-28 from 1-3pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Negaunee. 

If you have already responded with the names and ages of your children, you do not need to reply as I have them registered. However, if you have not RSVP'd and would like to take part, please email me the names and ages of the children participating.  

Please take note that this is not a drop and run event.  Parents are to be responsible for their own children, and siblings who are not participating are not to be running around unsupervised.  Parental involvement and help is encouraged during the class.

For those participating in the class, Elizabeth would like the kids to begin looking now for objects they can turn into a sculpture. She encourages everyone to "think outside the box".  Also, if you have paper tubes, please start collecting them for the class.

Cost of the class will be posted soon.