The members of Stone Lions Club believe that the future of any community depends upon its young people. We are committed to providing youngsters with the opportunity to become caring and valued members of our community.
We promote and participate in the majority of projects organized by Lions Clubs International and believe that we are helping our young people achieve their full potential.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, and recognise the importance he has always placed on conservation and environmental issues, Stone Lions wanted to deliver a project to local primary schools. We sourced a series of environmental books, written by a primary school teacher in a manner that children will find it easy to relate to and presented them to a total of 12 local schools. The remaining set will be presented to Stone Town Library during the summer holidays, providing every child living locally with the opportunity to read and enjoy learning from these books.
PEACE POSTER CONTEST
The Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest is an annual competition which has involved more than 4 million children from nearly 100 countries during the last 20 years. The competition is open to children who are aged 11 - 13 years of age on November 15th of the current year.
Each year a different theme is chosen which is designed to encourage children to visually present their ideas and dreams of Peace. Past themes have reflected the Lions' concern for the environment, the welfare of all people and the belief that the journey to world peace begins with a small step.
Walton Priory Middle School and Christchurch Academy are currently taking part in this competition and we hope that St Dominic's Priory School will join in this year. A selection of their posters are displayed in Stone Town Library during the autumn.
YOUNG LEADERS IN SERVICE
The Lions Young Leaders in Service Awards recognise young people between the ages of 11 and 18 (school years 7 to 13) for their community service within a 12 month period.
- 50 hours of community service = Silver Award Certificate
- 100 hours of community service = Gold Award Certificate
Community service projects can include a combination of a number of activities including Environment, Public Health, Safety, Literacy and Education, Community Improvement and Helping Children and Elderly People.
YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF THE 21ST CENTURY
The aim of the scheme, which operates throughout Europe, is to recognise, encourage and support young people who are actively involved in the welfare of the community, supporting the best of our Lions' ideals. In previous years, candidates have been involved in helping young and older people, disabled, able bodied and disadvantaged and have organized projects in conservation, crime prevention, promoting healthier lifestyles, hospital radio and other initiatives.
To be eligible, candidates must have reached their 15th birthday, but not their 19th birthday, on or before 30th June.
YOUTH EXCHANGE AND YOUTH CAMPS
One of the key aims of Lions Clubs International is 'to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world'. There can be no better way of doing this than to encourage young people of different nationalities to get together and learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
Each year, youngsters from across the world are hosted by Lions families in their homes and live as a member of that family for around 10 days. They then take part in a Youth Camp where they meet other Youth Exchange visitors from aroud the world and spend 10 days together.
Members of Stone Lions Club have acted as Host Families to a number of overseas students and were privileged to take part in Youth Camp 2009 at Keele University. In 2012 we were very proud that Katie Farley, who represented us in the 2008 Young Ambassador finals, was selected to attend Youth Camp in Finland.
