Sister Cities

Living Here

Sister Cities Twinning Program

Carleton Place is involved in the Sister Cities Twinning Program and has partnered with Comrie in Scotland and Franklin in Tennessee, USA.

The Sister City program promotes the agreement between communities in different countries to encourage the expansion of activities designed to help each other develop an understanding of historical, lifestyle and cultural similarities and differences.

Carleton Place has successfully run a Student Exchange Program with Franklin in recent years and we have started a similar program with Comrie. If you are a student and you are interested in participating and would like an application form, or for further information, please email mblakeley@carletonplace.ca or call 613-257-3822.

The Carleton Place Sister City Committee is now accepting applications for the 2013 Student Exchange Programs.

This year there will be an opportunity to participate in either the Franklin, Tennessee exchange, or the Comrie, Scotland exchange.

To download an application, click here

Applications are due back no later than: April 12th, 2013

You can return it to the Town Hall in person OR mail to:
175 Bridge Street
Carleton Place, ON, K7C2V8
OR email a scanned copy to: mblakeley@carletonplace.ca

FAQ

What is the Sister City Twinning Program?
The Sister City Program promotes the agreement between communities in different countries to encourage the expansion of activities designed to help each other develop an understanding of historical, lifestyle and cultural similarities and differences.

What is required of me as a participant?

Franklin, Tennessee
As a participant, you are required to host a student from Franklin, Tennessee in your home from May 31st until June 7th, 2013. Your Franklin "twin” will go to school with you in the morning and will eat most meals with you and your family.

Activities planned by the Sister City Committee (ex. Day trip into Ottawa) will be paid for by the Committee.

You will be required to volunteer at the Sister City Heritage Ball in September which is the primary fundraiser for the Student Exchange Program as well as the Sister City BBQ at the Bridge Street Bazaar.

Comrie Scotland,
As a participant, you are required to host a student from Comrie Scotland in your home from October 10th until October 21st, 2013. Your Comrie "twin” will go to school with you in the morning and will eat most meals with you and your family.

What are the benefits of participating in the student exchange?
In August of 2013, you will travel to Franklin, Tennessee or Comrie, Scotland to stay with your "twin” for a week. You will have the opportunity to school and experience teaching and lifestyle differences as well as sightsee.

How much does the trip to Franklin cost?
Typically, a return flight to Nashville, Tennessee cost approximately $600.00. The Sister City Committee of Carleton Place will be putting $300 towards the cost of each ticket. Upon acceptance in to the program, if you should wish to approach a local service or community group to sponsor some, or all, of the remaining portion of their ticket, the Committee will supply a verification letter stating the details of the exchange that can be submitted with your request. It would be the responsibility of the student, not the Committee, to seek these additional funds if they wished to do so.

How much does the trip to Comrie cost?
A flight to Comrie is significantly more expensive than Franklin. A return flight is estimated to cost anywhere from $950 - $1,200. The Sister City Committee of Carleton Place will be contributing anywhere from $500-700 depending on the cost of the flight. Upon acceptance in to the program, if you should wish to approach a local service or community group to sponsor some, or all, of the remaining portion of their ticket, the Committee will supply a verification letter stating the details of the exchange that can be submitted with your request. It would be the responsibility of the student, not the Committee, to seek these additional funds if they wished to do so.

How is the Student Exchange Program Funded?
The Carleton Place Sister City Committee has two primary fundraising events which support Committee initiatives, the student exchange being our largest. The Committee hosts a themed, black-tie Heritage Ball in September and also a wine tasting event, "Wine'd Around Downtown,” at the end of May.

Will there be chaperones?
Yes, the Sister City Committee will provide an adult chaperone to supervise on the trip to Tennessee. The chaperone will have a criminal record check and meeting will be arranged for parents and students to meet the chaperone and have any questions they might have answered.

Also, parents of both the host and visiting students will be required to submit a clean criminal record check.

Still have questions? Call Manda at 613-257-3822 or email at mblakeley@carletonplace.ca

For the fifth year in a row, the Carleton Place Sister City Committee will be hosting "Wine'd Around Downtown" on May 25th, 2013. Tickets can be purchased at any of the participating restaurants or at the Town Hall starting mid-April. Tickets are $25 each and includes your event "ticket" (an event t-shirt which will get you sample pricing), an event guide book and a chance to win 2 free tickets to the Heritage Ball in September. All samples (both wine and appetizers) are $2 each.

On the last Saturday in September of every year, the Sister City Committee hosts the annual Black-tie Heritage Ball. This event is considered the "Social Event of the Year". The evening includes jaw dropping decorations keeping with the theme of the year, dinner, dancing and entertainment. This year's event will be held on September 28th, 2013 and the theme is "An Evening in Paris" Stay tuned for more details!