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In early June,
District 6970's Outbound Class of 2004-05 returned to Camp Montgomery, for
their final orientation weekend, a series of activities, exercises, and
sessions affectionately known as "Cultural Boot Camp." We were joined by ten
outbounds from District 6990 (south Florida and Grand Bahama Island).
We all benefited from the participation of four "Rotex"
members, former outbounds who came to share their experiences and viewpoints
with those that would follow in their footsteps. Tierney Elison and Shaina
Moore, who represented D6970 during 2001-02 in Brazil and France
respectively, were joined by Edi Bibergall (D6990, Japan, same year) and
Allie May (D7150, Argentina, 1999-2000). All of them added a lot to the
weekend. We were also fortunate to have with us Dr. Dennis White, a
Rotarian, Youth Exchange enthusiast, clinical psychologist, and expert on
inter-cultural living and culture shock, from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He
provided several sessions for the students, and one for the parents on
Sunday morning.
The weekend was capped off with our "Send-off Luncheon,"
at which the outbound students were congratulated for completing the
orientation process, and given certificates to mark the occasion. Tierney's
closing speech, on "Being an Exchange Student," left many in tears for the
ride home.
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