The camp name, "Cho Yeh", is an Indian phrase which means "where tall trees grow".  The camp name is used to reflect "where young people grow tall" through the inspirations at the camp.  The camp was ideal for our needs.  We plan to return there next year.

We arrived Friday at noon and conducted training and team building activities until Sunday noon.  The students were very much motivated and bonded together like you would not believe, unless you have attended such sessions before.  They are now ready to go abroad and be our ambassadors.

The 7 Rotexes, as always, were the key to the camp.  They told their stories - what worked for them, what were the challenges, etc.  Because of the Rotex students, the outbound students now have a much better understanding of the "Magic of Rotary Youth Exchange".

The students and their parents had already attended two orientation sessions back in January and March.  During the camp, we told stories, showed videos, conducted Role Plays, etc, to more deeply reflect the importance of adapting and being members of the host families, doing well in school, getting to know their counselors and Rotary clubs. 

We played cultural awareness games (Ba Fa Ba Fa, Barnga).  We went over the rules - the joy of naturally integrating into the rules environment, and the problems that would occur if they had to go home early.  We addressed how to react to the unlikely event of abuse or harassment.  We discussed the features of Rotary (Paul Harris, the foundation, ambassadorial scholars, etc.). 

We discussed the importance of discuss, not debate.  The importance of smiles and good body language.  The importance of observing the features of the new culture before making unintentional cultural mistakes.  The importance of asking for help when help is needed, knowing that Rotarians will always be available to help. 

We suggested that they learn the four way test in their new language and ask their clubs if they could lead the four way test (an idea to consider for next year's inbound students).  We discussed questions of international interest.  We discussed how homesickness would be natural at the beginning, the importance of finding the right set of friends, and how difficult it will be saying good-bye at the end.

Sunday, we handed out certificates to each of the students and to the Rotex students.  Then we cleaned the camp and said good-bye, which took a while.  Lot of hugging going on.