Youth Cultural Program to Poland

Youth Cultural Program to Poland

Organization: Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation

Program Type: Educational cultural trip/exchange program

Geographic Scope: Poland (participant destination); United States (eligibility)

Focus Areas:

Program Overview

The PACCF sponsors annual cultural trips for youth of Polish descent to Poland. Participants engage in:
• Intensive Polish language classes (typically 45+ hours over 2 weeks)
• Sightseeing tours of major Polish cities (Krakow, Warsaw, etc.)
• Visits to historical sites (Wawel Castle, Salt Mines, Auschwitz, etc.)
• Cultural activities and workshops (traditional dance, pierniki making)
• Sporting activities and competitions
• Film showings and museums
• Social activities and group bonding

Eligibility

• Age: Typically 13-15 years old
• Membership Requirements: Participants must be either:
- An insured member of one of the Polish fraternals (including FCSLA, Polish National Alliance (PNA), Polish Falcons (PFA)) - A dues-paying member of a local Division or the National Polish American Congress

Funding

Program is funded by:
• Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation (primary sponsor)
• Wspolnota Polska
• Individual fraternal organizations' members
• Participant fraternals

Recent Programs

• 2019: 35 students, two-week program at Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Explorers' Summer Polish Language and Culture Camp)
• 2017: Organized through School of Polish Language and Culture at Jagiellonian University; 45 hours language instruction
• 2015: 24 students, visited Jasna Gora, Czestochowa, Krakow, Wieliczka, Warsaw, Torun, Biskupin, and other sites
• 2011: 13 students, used Dom Polonii in Pultusk as homebase
• 2010: Two groups of students departed in July and August

Contact Information

• Phone: 773.763.9942
• Email: paccf@paccf.org
• Address: 6645 N. Oliphant Ave., Suite A, Chicago, IL 60631