About 30 years ago I was introduced to Up With People when they paid a visit to my home town in Northern Ontario. There was something so enticing about the cast and the production that many of us quickly applied for a chance to travel with a future tour. Although I failed in my first attempt a friend of mine from high school was successful in his first bid and travelled with Up With People the following year. I applied again the next time they came to town and this time I was accepted…unfortunately various circumstances prevented me from joining the cast it’s something that has stuck with me ever since.

The experience of getting to know the cast members (we were a host family) and seeing the impact they have on the community was something I’ll never forget so when I heard that Up With People was coming back to Canada I knew I had to reach out to help them spread the word!