Young people from across the Diocese of Leeds are being encouraged to take part in a trip of a lifetime to the USA next summer to visit one of our link dioceses, Southwestern Virginia.
Regular exchange visits between Leeds and Southwestern Virginia have been taking place for several years and in the past young people from our diocese have had the chance to visit local historical sites, take part in outdoor activities including canoeing and tubing, volunteer at local projects, spend time meeting Christians from the area, and visit cities including Washington DC.
“We really hope a trip like this will give young people an amazing experience that they can learn loads from, and hopefully use their experiences to enrich their churches and communities,” said Katherine Grasham, from the Children, Young People and Families Team.
This summer links were strengthened when a group of young people from Southwestern Virginia visited Yorkshire. Excursions included a trip on the Leeds Liverpool canal, visits to Parcevall Hall, Bolton Abbey, the Worth Valley railway, and curry at Bradford’s best restaurants as well as trips wider afield to Whitby, Rievaulx Abbey, York and London.
Now those aged 15-18 in the summer 2018 are invited to make a reciprocal visit. It will take place from July 25 to August 12 (dates to be confirmed) and will cost in the region of £1000 with the diocese encouraging and facilitating as much fundraising as possible to help with this.
For more details visit the Children, young people and families webpage here or email Katherine from the Children, Young People and Families Team at katherine.grasham@leeds.anglican.org for an application form. Please return it to the same email address by Friday 5th January 2018.
Katherine adds, “You’ll also need to be free on Saturday 13th January 2pm-4.30pm for our selection afternoon at St Christopher’s Church, Holmewood, BD4 9EJ so we can meet you in person!”