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The teenager from Nantes, France, who was born on July 10, dreamed of visiting the United States for as long as his parents can remember.
When François and Christine Durand heard about the summer immersion program offered by Echanges Culturels Internationaux, they decided it would be the perfect surprise gift for their son.
If a host family can be found by this weekend.
"(Leo) doesn't even know, but his parents are really frantic," local program coordinator Susan Costley said Tuesday.
Costley also is anxious, as she searches for 15 families to host Leo and 16 other French teenagers from July 10 to July 30. She hopes to have homes by Sunday.
The scramble for volunteers is nothing new to Costley, who has been working with ECI for 14 years.
"I think some people may be afraid it might cost a lot of money," she said.
Other than meals, a host family only needs to provide a bed. Each student is covered with health and liability insurance and brings spending money.
The nonprofit program will take the 34 students and two chaperones on several field trips, including a Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game — where one of the teens will get to throw the first pitch — a day trip to Washington, D.C., and an overnight in New York City.
Families with teenagers are encouraged to host, so the French students can experience American life firsthand.
"It really helps with understanding more than what they read in the media," Costley said.
Laura Vangelist and her family hosted a boy in April and are excited to welcome a girl next week.
"It's a lot of fun to see things that we see outside all the time through someone else's eyes," Vangelist said, recalling their guest's reaction to the Amish.
Families can host a student for half the stay if they cannot commit to the full 20-day visit.
If not enough homes are found, Costley said, some students will be doubled up.
"We hate to put too many kids in a household, because then they feel like nobody wants them," she said.
To host a French student, contact Costley or Jessica Johnson at 393-3402.
ECI is partnering with Kids & Cultures this summer by donating $50 to the organization for each host family that mentions the agreement when signing up.
For more information, visit www.ecilancaster.com.
E-mail: smweaver@lnpnews.com
