The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) has initiated an exchange program involving the children and grandchildren of SAR members in France and the United States.  The exchange includes young ladies and young gentlemen between the ages of 12 to 20 years old.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for young people from both countries to experience a different culture and develop new relationships with other SAR members, sharing our mutual heritage of freedom.

The exchange program will be on a reciprocal basis.  The youth that participate in this program will be paired based upon common interests and age.   The time period for those participating from the United States could occur during the summer months of June and July, when most schools are on vacation.   In France, the time period for the exchange could occur from the end of June to the beginning of September, when their schools are on vacation.  Thus, upon agreement between the paired families, the United States and France will be visiting during the time periods mutually convenient.  It is recommended that the duration of the visit to both countries be approximately two to three weeks.  However, these time periods and duration of visits can be changed based upon individual preferences.

If your children or grandchildren are interested in this exchange program and do not possess a French or U. S. Passport, please file for the passport immediately.   For youth under the age of 18, both parents' consent and proof of parental relationship are required.  Each participant in this exchange program must also show proof of medical insurance and have the appropriate immunizations for visiting France or the United States.

All responsibility for travel arrangements, costs and liability of these exchanges rest solely with each candidate.  The SAR will not be responsible for any expenses whatsoever.  The role of the SAR is to merely collect each candidate's interest and then identify and match each participant based on common interests.

Both French and United States candidates are encouraged to submit their respective applications as soon as possible.  April 1, 2009 is the deadline for submitting your application if you wish to participate in the exchange program for the year 2009.  The application and other data relating to this program are posted on the following web site: http://www.sar.org/youth/ReciprocalYouthExchange.pdf

For more detailed information on the exchange program, please contact Lindsey Cook Brock at:  lindsey.brock@comcast.net or 1-904-251-9226 in the United States or you may contact Pierre de Vasson at:  devasson@msu.edu or 1-604-561-9333 in Canada.  You may also contact John P. Miller at:  miller.paris@gmail.com or 33 (0) 9 52 56 72 73 in Paris, France.