Welcome Parents & Guardians!
Embarking on an Experiences Canada exchange is the adventure of a lifetime for your child. Through this unique, reciprocal homestay program, youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will travel to another province or territory, discover Canada’s rich history and diverse cultures, and build lifelong friendships.
As a parent or guardian, you are a foundational part of your child’s exchange journey. Your involvement, support, and enthusiasm contribute to the safety and success of each youth. Your Group Organizer and the Experiences Canada team are here to support you every step of the way.
Why Say Yes to an Exchange?
Sending your child on an exchange is about so much more than a week away from home. It’s an investment in their personal growth, confidence, and understanding of the world. By stepping outside the traditional classroom, youth are given a rare opportunity to experience learning in the real world.
Here’s why parents across the country say yes to an Experiences Canada exchange:
Firsthand Experiential Learning
Instead of just reading about Canadian history, geography, or culture in a textbook, your child will see and experience it live.
Language and Cultural Immersion
Whether they are participating in a bilingual exchange or exploring a community with a different lifestyle, youth expand their cultural horizons and build an authentic appreciation for diversity.
Life Skills & Personal Growth
Navigating a new environment, staying with a host family, and collaborating with peers build self-reliance, leadership, and adaptability.
Lifelong Connections
This program uniquely pairs youth with a peer from another province or territory. The bonds created during an exchange can turn into lifelong friendships that span across the country.
Your Role & Key Responsibilities
An exchange is a team effort involving youth, Group Organizers, families, and Experiences Canada. To ensure a smooth experience, parents are asked to be actively engaged in the following ways:
Be Part of the Planning: Attend all mandatory group information sessions hosted by your local Group Organizer and take part in group preparations, which may include fundraising events to help cover local activities and transportation costs.
Complete Required Forms & Deadlines: Fill out and submit all required participant documents, medical forms, and registration fees on time.
Host Family Screening: Because many exchanges include homestays, safety is our top priority. All host families must successfully complete a screening process. Every adult (18+) living in your household will need to provide a clear police record and vulnerable sector check.
Communicate & Support: Stay in regular contact with your Group Organizer and build a strong connection with your child’s twin family before the travel dates arrive.
Share Your Feedback: Once the exchange wraps up, both you and your child will complete a post-exchange survey to help us continue improving the program for future youth.
How We Support Safe Exchanges
At Experiences Canada, your child’s safety, security, and well-being are our top priorities. Every adult (18+) living in a host family household must complete criminal record and vulnerable sector checks, and all chaperones are thoroughly vetted before approval. Each travelling group is accompanied by at least two screened adult chaperones aged 21 or older, with a minimum ratio of one chaperone for every ten youth. We also collect detailed medical, health, and emergency contact information for every participant to ensure their needs are understood and supported throughout the exchange. Additionally, our dedicated 24/7 emergency support line gives chaperones and Group Organizers direct access to our team whenever unexpected situations arise. With multiple layers of safety measures in place, you can feel confident that exchanges focus on discovery, friendship, and unforgettable learning experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child has never travelled without our family before?
An exchange is a great opportunity for young people to build confidence, independence, and new friendships in a group setting. Group Organizers help coordinate the experience and support participants throughout the exchange. Parents are welcome to discuss any concerns with their Group Organizer before departure.
How much does an exchange cost?
Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Department of Canadian Heritage, round-trip travel costs for eligible youth and chaperones are covered. Families are responsible for individual registration fees and contributing to local hosting/activity expenses (usually raised through group fundraising activities).
Is financial assistance available for families who need extra support?
Yes! Experiences Canada is committed to making exchanges accessible to all Canadian youth. Additional funding, known as Special Measures funding, is available to help reduce barriers for youth from low-income families, youth with special needs or disabilities, Indigenous youth, visible minorities, and youth from rural or isolated areas. Speak with your Group Organizer to request this support.
Can I alter my child's travel dates so they can stay longer or leave early?
To keep groups together and ensure a safe, coordinated exchange, individual travel dates cannot be altered. All individual participants, including youth and chaperones, must depart and return together with the group.
My child has a medical condition or special needs. Can they still participate?
Absolutely. We want all youth to be able to participate safely and meaningfully. Please fill out the appropriate medical forms provided by your Group Organizer and communicate any relevant needs as early as possible. Your Group Organizer and Experiences Canada can work with you to understand what support or accommodations may be available.
What happens if our family cannot host a youth in our home?
We understand that homestays aren’t possible for every family due to space, health, or other circumstances. In these cases, alternate housing arrangements – called “common stays” – can be organized (such as staying together in a school gym, dormitory, camp, or community centre). Special Measures funding can also be requested to help offset eligible costs.
Any Other Questions?
Feel free to consult our Host Family Guide or get in touch with your Group Organizer. Because they handle the direct coordination for your child’s specific trip, all parent questions, forms, and updates should go straight to them. They will touch base with the Experiences Canada team whenever needed to keep everything running seamlessly.
An exchange takes a village, but the rewards last for a lifetime. Reach out to your Group Organizer today, help your child get their registration moving, and let’s give them an incredible Canadian adventure they will celebrate for the rest of their lives!
