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Encinitas showcases 37-year sister‑city youth exchange with Japan; Supervisor Nicole White details weeklong visit
Summary
Supervisor Nicole White told the Encinitas Youth Commission that six students and two adult chaperones from Omoxa, Japan, visited Encinitas July 29–Aug. 4 as part of the city—s long‑running sister‑city exchange, highlighting cultural programs, donated activities and host‑family participation.
Supervisor Nicole White presented the Sister City Exchange Program to the Encinitas Youth Commission on Sept. 3, describing a weeklong visit by students from Omoxa, Japan, that included community activities and hosted home stays.
The program, she said, has operated in Encinitas since 1988 and gives local youth the opportunity either to host international delegates or to serve as delegates themselves. "What is most important about this exchange is the friendships that are formed, the new perspectives that you gain when you share your home and your community with someone from across the world," White said.
White told commissioners the city hosted six students, all about 14 to 15 years old, and two adult chaperones from Omoxa during July 29–Aug. 4. Activities included surf lessons, beach volleyball at Moonlight Beach, an e‑bike tour along Coast Highway 101, skateboarding lessons with local Olympian Bryce Weststein, screenprinting and art sessions at Pacific View Arts Center, and a Padres facility tour and translated visit. Local businesses and organizations donated goods and services, including Encinitas 101, the Encinitas Chamber, Cardiff 101, Hansen's, Sunbelt, Concept Surf Shop, St. John Smith Volleyball, Trek and Charlie's e‑bike rentals, Swami's Cafe, El Nopalito, the Encinitas Fire Department, Alyona's Party Rentals, Choice Juicery, Broad Street DoCo and The Baked Bear, White said.
White and commissioners emphasized that host families and the Sister City Committee made the exchange possible. She noted three youth commissioners served as hosts and a fourth joined one activity. White described the program as youth‑centered: hosts act as cultural ambassadors while delegates experience daily life in Encinitas.
The presentation included a short video summarizing the week and closed with White thanking the Sister City Committee, host families and city staff for their participation. Commissioners who had participated in the exchange described personal benefits, saying the program created lasting friendships and broadened participants' perspectives.
No formal action was taken by the commission on Sept. 3; the item was presented as a special presentation and informational update.
