WHAT IS OPERATION FRIENDSHIP?

Operation Friendship is an organization dedicated to encourage international friendship and understanding among youth and adults through exchange visits. The program is a two year program. One year for hosting a group and the next for travel. Hosting a group is a commitment to accept a group from a foreign country, provide a home environment for the delegates and an organized program for their stay with transportation provided to and from scheduled activities.

The size of the group may vary. The international definition of a group is ten (10) youth delegates plus one advisor. The youth delegates will be between the ages of 15 and 21. Any over-age, under-age or increase in group size must be authorized by the National Boards of the countries involved.

Host families provide accommodation, meals and local transportation for their assigned travelling delegates who are then expected to participate in all scheduled group activities and tours which are fully funded by the local chapter.

Operation Friendship has expanded over the years to include England, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, The Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Wales in addition to Scotland and The United States. A distinguished honor was bestowed upon Operation Friendship several years ago when The United Nations selected it as a non- government organization member.

The basic OF program is a three week home stay in which a visiting delegate becomes part of the family they visit, participating in a program designed to introduce all aspects of life in the host country. It broadens horizons tremendously and provides an experience which cannot be duplicated by any other existing national or international youth program.