Local families are needed to host Japanese exchange students, ages 12 to 18, for four weeks this summer as part of a two-way exchange program sponsored by 4-H.

The Japanese teenagers will stay with their American host families from July 24- Aug. 20.

In order to be a host family, the family must have a child within two years of the age of the child they will host and also be of the same gender. All international delegates must have their own beds.

"We can only place one delegate per family," says a spokesman.

Families are responsible for all meals and transportation including pickup and return for the child. Health insurance is provided.

Families without children in this age range will be considered as hosts for the adult chaperones from Japan.

"You don't have to be involved with 4-H to host," says the spokesman.

"You just need a willingness to share your home and your world. There is no need to know Japanese. The students have all studied English and are anxious to use it."

The program gives host families a chance to share their culture, friendship, and family life with an exchange student and at the same time learn about Japanese life.

The home stays last only a month during the summer vacation, but the effects last a lifetime.

This 4-H Japanese Exchange program is one of the largest exchange programs involving North American and Jap-anese youth in the world.

Since it was begun in 1972, some 43,000 students have stayed with families in over 39 states, including North Carolina, and more than 7,000 American students have made reciprocal visits to Japan.

Information about the students may be found at the Web site: www.ces.ncsu.edu/ depts/fourh/labo/.

Host applications and brochures about the program are available through 4-H, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Moore County Center, 707 Pinehurst Avenue, Carthage.

Questions may be directed to Linda Gore, extension agent, 4-H Youth Development Moore County at (910) 947-3188.