The Oliver Tourism Association partnered with the Town of Oliver and the past sister city committee, was pleased to have the honour of hosting a student exchange delegation from our sister city, Bandai Japan. Ten students and two adults (six girls, four boys, English Teacher and School Principal), arrived Sunday August 2nd, 2015 for a 3 day whirl wind experience of our beautiful town. The families of our Oliver students who traveled to Bandai last year billeted our guests in this cultural exchange.

As a large group of locals and delegates we had a great time experiencing our community. We canoed Vaseux Lake, hiked to local pictographs, swam in the river, partied with a potluck dinner at River Stone Estate Winery, toured Covert Farms, picked fresh fruit and berries, visited the High School, played sports, jumped on trampolines and ate ice cream (lots of ice cream).

Tuesday night we celebrated with a farewell BBQ and Pool party hosted by the Mattes family. We sang songs, shared gifts and listened to speeches in both English and Japanese, “We have learned much about the similarities of our two cities and the differences between our cultures,” share one of the Bandai students, “We will remember our experiences forever. Thank You.”

A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this exchange a success: The Gabriel-Baptiste family, McGibbon/Gale family, Harrington family, Abellan/Williams family, Podmorow family, Kane family, Jim Cade, Ron & Tara Hovanes, Terry Schaffer, Ron & Diane Worth, Dave & Brenda Mattes, Tracy Harrington and all who helped organize canoes.

Wednesday morning, the delegation and a new group of friends carried on to visit Vancouver and then home, “We will share with our community the warm welcome and great experiences you have shared with us.” said Principal Machida, “We look forward to hosting our new Canadian friends in Bandai, Japan.”