Rotary in search of families for youth exchange program

The Dryden Rotary Club has an exchange student in line for the 2024-25 school year. Now, the club is in search of families to host the student from southern India.

Dryden Rotary is bringing in Darsh Desai from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. He will come to the United States and attend school for a year in the Dryden Central School District.

The club’s youth exchange program is looking for three families to host Desai for three-and-a-half months apiece. Dryden Rotary is part of CNY Rotary, which is set to welcome 30 out-of-country students and send 20 students out to various countries around the world.

“Rotary is one of the oldest and most respected youth exchange organizations because you have a support system of a local club behind you,” said Cathy Wakeman, Dryden Rotary’s youth exchange officer.

Desai — who enjoys hiking, photography, reading and more — will arrive in August, Wakeman said. Desai is also interested in playing sports at Dryden CSD.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program, which began in 1958 in the United States, originated inCopenhagen, Denmark in 1927. Students interested in the program, which is designated as an educational exchange, go through a series of interviews that start between August and September. This process occurs before students are considered for a school year in another country.

According to Wakeman, each Rotary club has its own youth exchange programs that focus on peace building and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, community economic development and protecting the environment.

“We encourage the kids that they are ambassadors of their hometown, of their family and the Rotary club,” Wakeman said. “We also encourage them to get involved in some area of focus in service while they’re here.”

Wakeman said that Rotary searches for host families year round. If the first family isn’t locked in by the time Desai or any other exchange student arrives, an emergency backup family is in place “if things aren’t established [yet],” Wakeman said.

Wakeman noted that with training and preparing families being a “constant” process, interested families can take virtual training courses and apply online. The application includes pictures of a family’s home and a description of where the exchange student will stay.

As exchange students attend school, Wakeman said it’s also an opportunity to “live life as an American teenager.” The goal, Wakeman added, is for one of the families to be a “forever family” for the student.

Families and people who get to know exchange students “never stop learning” about students’ culture, their language and their country’s natives.

Any families interested in hosting Desai can contact either Wakeman at 607-279-0276 or Kim Schenck at 607-423-9694.

Wakeman noted that Rotary programs in Ithaca, Lansing and Trumansburg are also looking for host families for their respective exchange students.

“Open your hearts. It will change your life,” Wakeman said in regard to hosting. “It’s a phenomenal experience. It’s about learning so much about other cultures, and about seeing our part of the world through the wonder of someone else.”

Further information on the Rotary Club Youth Exchange program is available at cny7180youthexchange.org.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Registration open for youth soccer in Dryden

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department has announced that registration for youth soccer is open.

Youth soccer games are Sept. 14, 21 and 28 and Oct. 5, 12 and 19 at Dryden High School. Ages 7-8 will play at 9 a.m., while games for ages 5-6 and 9-13 are at 10 a.m.

Practice time and days have yet to be determined. Ages 5-6 will not have practice; ages 7-8 will practice once, and ages 9-13 will practice twice per week.

The registration cost is $25. Coaches will reach out to players regarding team assignments, practices and games. Shin guards are required, and cleats are recommended.

For more information, go to drydenrec.recdesk.com.

Southworth Library to host programs in August

The Southworth Library in the village is hosting a couple of programs in August.

Each program will take place on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Scheduled programs include:

• Aug. 3: Lilly Silly puppet show
• Aug. 10: Dan the Snakeman

For more information, go to southworthlibrary.org.

Two locations for Freeville Farmers Market

The Freeville Farmers Market now has two locations every week until October.

The farmers market’s original location is at 43 Main St. in the village, where the market is held every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The new location is Hopshire Farm & Brewery at 1771 Dryden Rd. (Rte. 13) and the market occurs every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, go to freevillefarmersmarket.org.

Southworth House schedules summer tours

The Dryden Town Historical Society (DTHS) will hold tours of Southworth House at 14 North St. in the village this summer.

The guided tours will be held on the first Saturday of each month until October. The tours are scheduled for Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5.

Each Saturday with scheduled tours will have three time slots: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon.

To make an appointment for a tour, call 607-844-4691. Further information is available in the DTHS’s recent newsletter at drydennyhistory.org.