Delegation of the USA YMCA visited Kyiv to get acquainted with YMCA activities in Ukraine, experience exchange in youth work, namely organization of international camps, volunteer movement activation.
During the visit the meetings with the representatives of the Ministry in Family, Children and Youth Affairs, Synod Department of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youth Affairs, Youth Labour Center, School of Social Worker in Kyiv-Mohyla  Academy, Vice-Consuls of US Embassy in Ukraine, the representatives of youth non-governmental organizations of Kyiv were held. Two days were occupied with the interviews with this year ICCP participants, which helped some of them to get the placement in a US camp. A separate day was devoted to the acquaintance with the activities of Ukraine YMCA National office as well as the programs of YMCA which work in Kyiv.
Linda Jacobson conducted a training for the National office employees and the representatives of YMCAs of Kyiv and Kyiv region. She also visited Sevastopol where she was invited by the President of Sevastopol YMCA O. Bodrichenko.

The delegation consisted of:
1.Amarilis Soler – ICCP Director;
2.Julie Watkins – ICCP Committee member/Director, YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado;
3.Les Watkins – Julie Watkins’ husband; YMCA volunteer, Colorado;
4.David Fermoile – Director Environmental Education, Frost Valley YMCA, New York ;
5.Emily R. Ironside – International Coordinator, Estes Park Center, Colorado;
6.Elisabeth D. Miranda – Director of Sports and Family Services, YMCA of Greater New York;
7.Marvin Raps – ICCP Committee member/Director of NY Service for the Handicapped;
8.Jon Vance – ICCP Committee member/Director of Human Resources, Camp Sea Gull, North Carolina;
9.Linda Jacobson – President & CEO Global Vision Strategies and Board member at
O’Fallon YMCA in St. Louis, Missouri.

Feedback from the delegation:
Amarilis Soler: “Victor, I want to officially thank you and each of your staff for making our trip to Kiev such an unforgettable experience. The program and the personal touch exceeded our highest expectations. All I heard were good comments from the people in my group. This would not had been possible without you and your staff taking such good care of every little detail to make sure our stay was pleasant and our goals were met. You should be proud of your staff, especially Marina. She was extremely professional, represented your YMCA very well everywhere we went and she made a lasting impression in each of us personally. You have the right person giving face to your organization. We could had come to Kiev and done the sight seeing and interview applicants but without the person to person affiliation that we had with you and your staff, the experience would had never been what it actually was: a learning, enriching cultural experience for all of us. Thanks so much for everything you did and for showing us what Ukrainian hospitality is all about. I look forward to our continuing collaboration and strengthening of our programs.”

David Fermoile: “Marina! Thank you for all of your warmth and understanding during our trip to the
Ukraine. Your attention to detail made the trip both educational and fun.  I will be looking at how we can assist you with your camp needs for the coming summer. Thank you again for all of kindness and I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Emily Ironside: “Marina, Thank you SOOOO much for all that you did for us during our trip to
Kiev. I really enjoyed my experience in Ukraine and hope to return someday. ”

Linda Jacobson: “Thank you so much for the warm welcome you showed me in your beautiful city and country. All of you, especially Vlad, Marina, and Sasha in Sevastopol, were generous beyond reason with time, patience and commitment to the greater good that we can all achieve together. I wish you the best of luck as you pursue national organizational status with your government, and what that may entail for the Y in Ukraine as a result.
Viktor, above all, your friendship means the world to me. Now that I know where you work, I can visualize you there, with all those wonderful people, working hard to make magic for so many others around you. Please thank everyone at the office for their patience and kindness to me, and tell them I will never forget them, either. Hugs and blessings to you all!”.

Brian Cormier: “Dear Victor and staff, I spoke with Amarilis from ICCP following their trip to Ukraine and she said it was a big success and was very impressed with the leadership.I was so pleased to hear this as I have often lifted up the Ukraine leadership as among the best in the CIS and Europe.Congratulations to you and your staff for making such a good impression.”