IDAHO FALLS - It's a chance of a lifetime and several Idaho Falls kids are getting the opportunity. They are the youth delegation in our Sister Cities Program and I caught up with one of the kids going to Japan next week.

Payton McGriff is very excited and ready to learn all about the Japanese culture. At 13 going away from home without mom or dad can be a little scary. "I've never been anywhere without my parents."
But that's not holding this girl back. She's ready to fly to Japan and live with another family for a week and a half. "Well there's a 9 year old daughter, a 16 year old daughter and a mother and father."

There are 16 youth delegates in all going as part of the Idaho Falls Sister Cities program. Group Leader, Cindy Ozaki says once they're in Tokaimura, they'll have activities during the day.

"They will be taking us to places like a nursery school, one of the high schools." -Cindy Ozaki, Group Leader
"And we're gonna take a Kendo class." -Payton McGriff
"We're also going to visit their city in terms of meeting with their mayor, going to their city recycling center, which they have a phenomenal recycling program." -Cindy Ozaki, Group Leader.

Payton says at night, the kids go home with their host families. "It's gonna be cool, I think becoming more independent in my travels and it's a huge opportunity to learn about a new culture.

Even though she has taken some Japanese, communicating in the new culture is the only worry Payton has. "I hope that I do pretty well with language. They're really good at reading and writing but they have problems understanding pronunciation. So as long as I can write, I should be alright."

But from what I've seen, I don't think she will have a problem. And what's a trip of a lifetime like without a whole lot of fun packed in.
"They're taking us on an overnight camping trip. So we'll get to see what camping is like Japanese style." -Cindy Ozaki, Group Leader.

Don't forget Tokyo Disneyland. And here's the icing on the cake. "I'm gonna be 14 on August 4th down in Japan, so that'll be exciting."
The group takes off on the 28th and they return August 8th.

If you're interested in finding out more about the program, you can email Cindy Ozaki at cindyozaki@aol.com