Wimberley became an international hub for foreign exchange students when they were hosted by members of the Wimberley Lions Club last week. Fourteen students with the Julian C. Hyer exchange camp from Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Mongolia and Sweden stayed with Lion host families in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Lake Texoma, Wimberley and Lubbock.
The visiting students and their host families received a grand welcome at the July Wimberley Lions Club meeting, where they dined on Mexican cuisine from local restaurants.
Each year, an average of 30 students visit Texas to attend the camp. Throughout the five-week program, the kids receive the complete Texas adventure, complete with rodeos, line dancing, barbecue, museums and historical sites. During their stay in Wimberley, the students traveled to San Marcos to see the Alamo, Natural Bridge Caverns, and to experience river tubing. Because of rain in Wimberley, they were unable to attend Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well. The kids and their host families report that the experience was truly enriching.
“The camp program enriches all of our Lions with an opportunity to laugh, learn, and enjoy these amazing kids,” said Lions President Doug McLean.
The Texas Youth Exchange Camp, organized in 1973, was named in honor of past International Lion president, Judge Julien C. Hyer. Hyer served as Judge Advocate during World War II, 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.
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.”
The Wimberley Lions Club actively participates in the International Lions Club Youth Exchange. The exchange allows juniors or seniors of Wimberley High School and Katherine Anne Porter Charter School to travel abroad. In 2024, they sent Lea and Maia Martin to Italy.
“We encourage kids aged 17 to 19 to take this opportunity to enrich their cultural knowledge,” said Jones. “If your child wants to become a foreign exchange student next year, we welcome their applications. Visit our website, wimberleylions. com/youthexchange for information about the application, eligibility requirements and fees.” Applicants can view a video on the site of four KAPS and Wimberley High students who described their international experiences.
