Guidelines
Friendship Exchange Guidelines:
Rotary Activities will include Club Meetings, District Events, visiting District Projects and partaking in lots of Fun and Fellowship.
An Itinerary of activities will be put together and emailed to the exchange partner prior to their arrival. The Itinerary will consist of rotary activities, sightseeing on Long Island and in NYC, shopping, dinners, lunches, free time.
Costs and Fees include pre-purchased museum tours, concert tickets and/or group dinners at restaurants and/or pre-purchased bus & train tickets. Information on these fees will be sent to the exchange partners RFE Team Leader prior to arrival.
Dates of Travel here will not exceed 12 days total. The 12 day stay here will include 2 travel days (arrival and departure day) and 10 full days of activities.
All RFE guests must fly into JFK or LaGuardia Airports in New York City.
Amount of Guests cannot exceed 12 persons, mostly couples for easier hosting arrangements.
Guests biography’s will be sent in advance of the start date of the RFE between both Rotary Districts. Biography’s include information on age, profession, family status, years in Rotary, Rotary positions, dietary needs, allergies and contact information of all team members.
Guests Host Families will consist of 2 -3 different families in 2-3 different areas of Long Island. A list of Host Families and their contact information will be sent to guests prior to your arrival.
Monetary Responsibilities include any transportation outside of our District 7255 (train, tax, uber, ferry etc.), meals eaten outside of your Host Family Home (restaurants, café’s, luncheonettes, deli’s etc.) and admissions to museums, art galleries, etc. unless otherwise specified.
All About Rotary District 7255 – Long Island
Our rotary district covers the geographic area of Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens. It is approximately 115 miles long from Brooklyn and Queens at the western end, to Montauk at the easternmost point. At its widest the island is approximately 20 miles from north to south.
Long Island is noted for large numbers of excellent beautiful beaches along Long Island Sound on the North shore and the more famous south shore, which is home to the Atlantic Oceans waves and white-sand beaches. The North Fork is also home to many wineries, farms and culinary outlets. Other attractions include the North Shore harbour- towns such as Port Jefferson, Huntington Village, Stony Brook and Northport where a variety of eateries and small businesses thrive in a bohemian atmosphere.
Tourists can swim at any of the great South Shore Ocean beaches, enjoy its water parks, amusement parks, splurge at the many shopping malls, dine at famous eateries and partake in the exciting night life that Long Island is known for.
History is all over Long Island. To mention a few: Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory is where DNA was discovered. The Oheka Castle listed on the coveted National Register of Historic Places is devoted to establishing the art of entertaining since 1919. Sagamore the former home of Theodore Roosevelt with museum, nature trails & beaches. Montauk Point Lighthouse offers scenic views & a museum at the historic 1776 lighthouse authorized under President George Washington. The Cradle of Aviation Museum, an aerospace museum located in Garden City commemorates Long Island’s part in the history of aviation. The famed Louis Armstrong’s home along the Queens Jazz Trail is very exciting. The Panorama of the City of New York at the Queens Museum is a sight to behold. The very beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden will keep your cameras busy. The famous Brooklyn Bridge and gorgeous 85acre waterfront park offers history and beauty all wrapped up in one.
New York City (Manhattan Island) is approx. 30 minutes to 2 hours away by car or train depending on the Long Island location you would be traveling. New York City is famous for its sights, museums, shopping, eateries and theatres. Many Long Island tourists visit New York City during their stay and get to enjoy all the fun and exciting attractions that both islands have to offer.
The best time to travel to Long Island is:
Autumn, September to November: Enjoy beautiful foliage, the leaves on the trees change colour to make for a lovely landscape. Enjoy Fall Harvest Season and visit Long Island farms and wineries for great food, great drink, great scenery and great fun. And…experience Halloween where children dress in costumes and go door to door for candy. And…adults dress in costume and party at restaurants, clubs, homes etc….
Spring, later part of March to May- Enjoy the blooming of flowers, trees and landscape. The weather is lovely this time of year, not too hot, not too cold. Long Island farms and wineries are in bloom and offer a variety of activities that attract many tourists. Enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing etc.
Summer, June to August- Enjoy Long Islands beautiful beaches, visit the beautiful Fire Island. Enjoy many outdoor activities, attend a baseball game or a sporting event. Go boating, fishing, golfing, biking, hiking etc… The landscape offers lush greeneries sprinkled with colourful flowers.
The weather is more accommodating during these seasons, however, do not rule out winter on Long Island as it still offers many of the same attractions. The weather tends to be very cold and snowy.
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