Between Stockholm and Venice, the Rothes visited with more than 100 of their “kids” in Europe earlier this summer and enjoyed meeting their extended “grandchildren.”

As volunteers for Youth for Understanding since 1981, Bob and Judy Rothe have made the experience “a family thing.” The Rothes have hosted 28 students from all over the world, ranging from Lithuania to Brazil. Besides being a host family, the Rothes also have held many different positions within YFU.

Youth for Understanding is one of the oldest and largest high school exchange programs in the world. The private, nonprofit educational program is dedicated to preparing young people for responsibilities and opportunities through the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, master new languages, and create friendships that last a lifetime. The program offers young people between the ages of 15 and 22 a variety of intensive exchange opportunities.

“One of the things that’s a real positive is seeing these kids grow, mature, have families and become responsible,” said Judy Rothe. She was introduced to the program in 1962 when her parents hosted a YFU student in Chicago. Three generations later, the Rothes’ daughter and her family are hosting their first YFU student from Norway.

When the Rothes’ grandson is old enough, they hope he will select as his host family one of the Rothes’ first host student’s son’s family, creating three full generations of YFU exchange experience.

Bob Rothe was the “social butterfly” for YFU exchange students in the Denver area for many years. He would arrange an activity every month to six weeks for the students, such as a day in Denver that may include a visit to the state capital and the mint. In January, he would host a trip to the stock show, and over Presidents Day weekend in February, Rothe would host a skiing weekend.

During the summer, Bob Rothe ran The Colorado Experience, an 18-day wilderness program involving backpacking, river rafting, mountain climbing, boating at Lake Powell and non-stop wilderness activities for YFU students and their host brothers and sisters.

“Bob and Judy have been a rock to lean on for many students. Both of them have been outstanding volunteers, and YFU USA has been very lucky to have them,” said Tangi Lancaster, volunteer coordinator for YFU.

For information about volunteering with Youth for Understanding or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.