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Englewood plans student exchange with Belm, Germany; council funding and itinerary under review
Summary
City staff described a revived sister‑city program with Belm, Germany that brought six Englewood students to Germany last year and proposes returning delegates for a weeklong student‑centered exchange; commissioners discussed activities, host‑family logistics and a $5,000 council allocation that will need to cover most expenses.
City Manager Sean Lewis outlined plans to host student delegates from Belm, Germany as part of a revived sister‑city relationship that the city has sought to make more educational and youth‑focused.
Lewis said Englewood sent six students to Belm last year and that the proposed itinerary for incoming delegates prioritizes school‑based cultural exchanges, tours of the civic center and local museums, recreation and a short mountain outing weather permitting. He said the city’s budget currently includes a $5,000 allocation for the exchange and that Rotary contributed nearly $2,000 last year to cover student fees for those who qualified for free or reduced‑price lunch.
Commissioners and participants suggested program changes and alternatives to higher‑cost activities, including replacing an Empower Field visit (estimated at $653 for a large group) with less expensive options such as Coors Field, Meow Wolf, the Littleton Museum or Red Rocks. Commissioners also asked staff to confirm travel, entry fees to Rocky Mountain National Park for non‑U.S. visitors, and host‑family logistics. Lewis said the city is using short‑term rentals for adult hosts and school‑arranged host families for students to keep costs down.
Why it matters: The commission framed the exchange as a cultural and educational opportunity that could be repeated annually, with an emphasis on including students who might not otherwise have access to international travel. Commissioners asked staff to refine the itinerary and return a finalized plan in March so council and partners can finalize logistics and confirm budget details.
Next steps: Staff will solicit follow‑up input from commissioners, finalize logistics with the school district and host families, and present a refined itinerary and cost breakdown at the March meeting. Lewis said the city aims to have delegates arrive Sunday, March 8, with formal activities beginning Monday.
Direct quotes: "We sent six students to Belm, Germany, and they were selected by the Englewood High School superintendent," Lewis said. "We’ve only got a budget of $5,000 for this whole thing that's in the budget."
