The camp wraps up with a final "Farewell Pot Luck Pool Party" with a special ethnic dish prepared by each exchange student. Host families from both the Del Mar/Solana and Encinitas Rotary Clubs attended and enjoyed the fellowship of Rotary. It was a farewell that will remain in our hearts forever.
Host families gather in the home of Susan and Dennis Cook.
There's plenty of food for everyone.
Alberto treats Dalma to his specialty Italian cuisine. (Dalma's favorite photo)
Laurens with his host families.
And Dalma with her "parents".
Juan and his families.
And Regina with two of hers.
Kadri with her two great "dads."
And Serkan with his " Southern California parents."
Alberto with his.
And Katrina with hers.
Julia with her families.
And finally, Paul with his.
"I forgot my bathing suit, so throw me in"
"Wait, I changed my mind".
Regina seizes the moment, and they all go into the pool.
Katrina is next.
And in she goes.
Kadri and Julia enjoy the good fun - and each other.
Paul encourages his host "father", Mak Allyn, to get wet. "Let's get some of those adults in the pool."
Kirk Collins from the Del Mar/Solana Rotary Club complies and receives well deserved applause.
More host "fathers" join in and we all receive a wave of approval.
"So, let's gear up this pool party". Dalma and Kirk battle Alberto and Serkan.
And down she goes.
John Conover, the Encinitas Rotary surfer star, passes out souvenir t-shirts with his own unique flare.
There's just time for one last group shot before it's time to say "good-bye."
And then it's time for the final farewell. Mark Allyn and Juan had a great time.
And the warm hugs begin with Alberto and Juan.
And more hugs. Hugs all around.
Regina enjoys one of many hugs.
And Dalma's turn. Jon Fish, our master camp coordinator from the Del Mar/Solana Club, looks on with approval.
Our close circle of friends. "We promise to meet again."
Hurrah for Rotary Youth Exchange!
And now the real tears begin.
And more tears.
Juan brings our emotions back on track with a final farewell song. And then, it's finally the last "good-bye."
