Macedonia International Festival Mission/Cultural Exchange Trips

MACEDONIA

The Somerset Hills YMCA offers a wide variety of community based and international programs, including:  Partnership with the YCS YMCA in Skopje, Macedonia The Somerset Hills YMCA has formed an official partnership with YCS YMCA in Skopje, Macedonia. Goals of this Partnership: To further the worldwide YMCA movement by providing support for the emerging YMCA movement in Macedonia. To broaden the worldview of YMCA members by providing cultural exchanges and information. To expand the work of both partner YMCAs by sharing best practices and program ideas, goods, and resources. Specific areas of collaboration include: Youth Leadership Training, Staff Development, Volunteer Development and Long Range Planning. History of Partnership: May 2006: YMCA Board Chair and staff person visit YCS in Skopje, Macedonia and several other Balkan YMCAs to learn about Balkan YMCA movement and explore potential partnerships January 2007: YMCA Board approves partnership February 2007: Partnership Agreement signed by YMCA president Bob Lomauro and YCS General Secretary Alexandar Kirkovski June 2007: Two young leaders from YCS work in YMCA summer camp program August 2007: Four YMCA teens and chaperones attend Balkan Youth Festival February 2008: Two Leaders from YCS, Aleksander Kirkovski and Ljuben Tevdovski, visit Somerset Hills YMCA and attend the Annual Meeting. Click here for Aleksander's Speech during the Annual Meeting, February 19. August 2008: Youth Festival in Prague. Teens and adult chaperones traveled via Macedonia to Prague. Click here for the pictures! Click here for the 2011 Application Forms! For more information and to learn more about getting involved in the Somerset Hills YMCA’s International Initiatives, please contact Sylvia Velez, Director of Volunteer Services at 908-630-3530 or email