The Rotary Youth Exchange summer camp is an opportunity for young people, generally aged 16 – 18, to meet equivalents from other countries and exchange ideas and cultural values. It is found to be an excellent opportunity for developing international friendships and goodwill, which is one of Rotary’s primary objectives.
On Friday 22nd July 2016, 14 students from a variety of countries including Poland, Portugal, Australia, Macau, France, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania visited the Isle of Man for the weekend as part of this year’s District 1285 Summer Camp when members of Rushen & Western Mann Rotary Club hosted the group for the Friday afternoon.
Working with Manx National Heritage the students were given a brief taste of Manx history, politics, culture and coastal scenery. The afternoon started with a visit to Castletown, ancient capital of the Isle of Man where first up was a look around Castle Rushen one of the best preserved medieval castles in the world. Then the students were treated to a talk about the Manx Parliament – Tynwald. Manx politics past and present were detailed by club member and former President of Tynwald Noel Cringle at the Old House of Keys, the former home of Tynwald. The group then moved onto Cregneash Village with its buildings showing the traditional Manx farming and crofting way of life. Finally the group went to see the Sound and Calf of Man rounding of the day with a meal at the Sound Cafe.
The students and Rotary Club members enjoyed an educational afternoon together exchanging cultural values, a great opportunity to promote the Isle of Man Worldwide.
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
