City Seeks Host Families For Black Ships Festival

From July 18-July 29 the City of Newport will host four ninth grade students(two boys, two girls)and their teacher from Newport’s Sister City of Shimoda, Japan here for the Black Ships Festival.

The Newport Hospitality Commission is recruiting families who would like to open their homes to these students. The students are eager to learn more about American family life and to practice speaking English. They all have studied English, will have their own travel insurance and will cover their own expenses. They will attend official Black Ship events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there will organize  activities for them during the following week. Primarily, they would like to experience American family life.

Host families should be willing to:

• Offer a shared or single room from 7/18-7/29
• Provide transportation to and from other organized activities, when neede
• Be willing to participate in an informational meeting before the students arrive and organized family activities during the visit
• Include the hosted student in family meals and activities.

In return, Host Families can expect a very special opportunity to form international friendships, learn more about Newport’s Sister City of Shimoda and share the welcoming spirit of the City of Newport.

If you are interested, please complete the attached form or have your student stop by the main office. If you are interested or have any questions about hosting, please call Brenda Bachman, Newport Hospitality Commission at 662-1282 or e-mail atbrendabachman@cox.net.