Lions and Youth

Lions Clubs are active in major youth projects. The following are the principal ones. Most provide opportunities for young people to travel abroad, geared to safeguard the future well being of our youngsters.

LIONS YOUTH AWARD

Every year, Lions Clubs throughout the UK and Ireland organise a national YOUTH AWARD SCHEME which focuses on young people who have given freely of their time to serve their local community.

Lions Clubs identify local young people with a view to supporting them in their community service and sponsoring them for a possible regional and/or national award.

A major objective of the scheme is to promote and publicise the best in the youth of today. The main objectives of the scheme are for Lions Clubs to support community work by young people and to promote and publicise the best on the youth of today. In this sense all candidates are winners.

A number of regional and a national bursary, to be spent on projects with which the winners are actively involved are awarded each year.

Often participants are sponsored on Youth Exchange visits and International Youth Camps.

YOUTH EXCHANGE

The first object of Lionism "to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world" provides the foundation for the Lions Youth Exchange Programme. Young people (male or female) spend a period of time living with a host family in another country. For many of them it is one of the most significant experiences of their lives. The host family and the youth, learn about each other's way of life and deep friendships form which surpasses national boundaries.

The youth represents his Country and his Lions Club. He is selected because he already shows outstanding personality and leadership potential. The experience invariably enhances his abilities and helps him to become a more effective member of society.

ANNUAL YOUTH CENTRE

British and Irish Lions hold an annual Youth Centre every year, as do Lions in many other countries.