Twenty-two campers from around the world are making a stop at Troy University to participate in leadership seminars as part of the Lions International Youth Camp.

The camp is sponsored by the Montgomery Lions International Youth Camp, which provides an opportunity for young men from around the world to learn more about the world in which they live, said Drew Tatum, Troy University student who is assisting Dr. John Kline, director of the Institute for Leadership Development, with the planning and training of the conference at the university.

“Hosting the Lions International Youth Camp exhibits Troy University’s continued commitment to training tomorrow’s leaders from around the world,” Tatum said. “We have campers here from Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Israel and Italy and Hawaii in the United States.”

While at Troy University Monday, the campers participated in seminars on topics including international affairs, leadership, teamwork and communications.

As part of the camp, they further develop leadership and communication skills by participating in sports activities and touring historic places, military institutions, museums, beaches, manufacturing facilities and amusement parks.

The campers for the five-week camp are between the ages of 16 and 22 and will travel more than 8,000 miles by bus and van to visit points of interest in the Southeastern United States.

“The campers have visited our nation’s capital and many of the sites there including the Capitol, White House, the Smithsonian, many of the memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the Supreme Court,” Tatum said. “From there, they went to Virginia and visited Williamsburg where there is a great deal of history.”

The campers made a stop in Atlanta where they visited Kings Dominion theme park, the Department of Public Safety, CNN and the World of Coca-Cola.

“From there, they went to the Aquarium and Point Park in Chattanooga and on to Alabama where they visited the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and Helen Keller’s home in Tuscumbia,” Tatum said. “They came to Montgomery before coming to Troy University for the leadership seminars.”

From Troy, the Lions International Youth Camp participants will travel to Pensacola where they will see the Blue Angels in flight and visit the Naval Museum.

“They will also visit the beaches in Pensacola and then go to Orlando to Disney World and the Wet and Wild theme park,” Tatum said.

“They will end their tour at the Alabama State Capitol and visit with Gov. Bob Riley. On Aug. 10, the campers will leave for home.”

Tatum said the Lions International Youth Camp attempts to maintain a good balance between educational opportunities and recreational activities while encouraging leadership and friendship building.