The Julien C. Hyer Lions Youth Camp was organized in 1973 “to foster and create a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.” Each year an average of 40 youths (boys and girls) visit Texas to attend the Julien Hyer Camp, giving each attending youth the opportunity to learn about other peoples of the world while visiting Texas and the United States of America.
This year, the campers visited Crystal Beach: Diana Ezzell shares the following:
Thank you for your interest in this program. It is something very near and dear to my heart that David and I have been involved in for many years. The Chaperones this year were Karen Murray, President of the camp and Marcia Mathews. My sister Teri came on the Crystal Beach trip to help me mostly.
The Campers arrive each year in the Dallas/Fort Worth area the last week in June and depart the first week in August each year. While they are there, they stay with DFW host families. During the five weeks they’re in Texas, they have three trips. They go to Lake Texoma for six days, Austin/San Antonio for five days and this year, Crystal Beach for five days.
The host families in Crystal Beach were: Jana and Curtis Kelm, Daniel and Vivian Aimes, Don and Tonia Stringer, David and Diana Ezzell.
Others who contributed to their stay: Marsha and Moody Fredenburg, Tom and Mary Ann Harrison, Dennis and Elaine Rolfing.
During their trip to Crystal Beach the campers went to NASA (first time in the history of the camp), Moody Gardens, Kemah Beach.
Boat tours with David to see dolphins and Battleship Texas and historic Galveston Bay.
The campers particularly enjoyed their Crystal Beach time where they hung out at the beach, ate amazing food and rode golf carts up and down the beach each night.
The wonderful Crystal Beach families made their time here magical! I am hopeful that the powers that be vote to make Crystal Beach a permanent part of the camp. I’m also sending a list of the campers who participated this year and their countries.
2026 Julien C. Hyer Lions Youth Exchange Campers
🇧🇷 BRAZIL: Valentina, Giovana, Maria
🇩🇰 DENMARK: Benjamin
🇫🇮 FINLAND: Kyösti, Gabriela
🇫🇷 FRANCE: Marie
🇩🇪 GERMANY: Matti, Timur
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º HUNGARY: Dániel
🇮🇹 ITALY: Valeria, Matteo
🇱🇹 LITHUANIA: Saulé
🇲🇳 MONGOLIA: Duurenzaya, Enkhtsetseg
🇪🇸 SPAIN: Laura
🇸🇮 SLOVENIA: Tia
Total Campers: 17
The Camp is named in honor of Past International President Lion Judge Julien C. Hyer (1931/1932). He was an active Lion for 55 years and distinguished himself as Lion, Attorney, Judge, Writer, Poet, Theologian, Soldier, Father, Husband and as the Founder of the Lions Clubs International Youth Exchange Program. His friendship and love for others is living testimony of the Great Spirit of Lionism.
Photos from the party at the Ezzell home to welcome the group to Crystal Beach.
