American hosts learning about life in Carrick

A GROUP of 10 young people from Carrick are in the US this week as part of a year-long cross-community leadership development programme.

The participants in the Friends Forever programme complete a 14-day stay in Mid-Coast Maine on Monday. Comprising 5 Protestant and 5 Catholic teens, their base is Camp Kieve in Nobleboro and their goal is that they “teach their peers about peaceful coexistence”. Each signs a 12 month contract to continue their efforts as a team at building peace upon their return home.

The 14-17 year olds, five girls and five boys, are supported by three adult chaperon/group leaders; two from Carrickfergus, and one Friends Forever USA staff person.

Their itinerary includes visiting Lincoln Academy in Newcastle for two days, spending an evening for a meal in family homes with teenagers, and working alongside Rotarians in a community service project at the Carpenter’s Boat Shop and the CLC YMCA. They will also be hosted by the St. Patrick’s Catholic Senior Youth Ministry group and by the Second Congregational Church of Newcastle Youth Ministry group. At the end of the visit, the entire group will be making a presentation about life in Carrick at the Bath, Booth Bay Harbor, Damariscotta-Newcastle, Brunswick Coastal and Falmouth Rotary Club meetings.

Town Manager Greg Zinser, of Damariscotta, welcomed the group to the Twin Villages and was presented with the symbolic interlocking ‘Friends Forever’ pin.

Jackie Bingham, one of the two adult staff members of Friends Forever, thanked the Rotary Club and Friends Forever for their generosity in making the trip to the U.S. possible.

Friends Forever Co-ordinators in the US Judy and Gary Speers expressed gratitude to the Rotarians and town officials for the support the entire community has provided to make this international peace initiative possible.

The programme is funded and supported by Carrickfergus Borough Council and The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle and Kieve-Wavus Education Inc who are hosting the ‘Friends Forever’ visit to the States.