Frequently Asked Questions

Ulster Project Delaware, Inc. (UPD) is a non-profit organization that promotes leadership, service, and peace. Each year, UPD brings 18 Northern Irish Catholic and Protestant teenagers to Delaware for a month of trust building and reconciliation activities.

Throughout the month of July, Northern Irish teens are hosted by American families with teens of the same age (14-16) and gender, who also participate in the daily activities.

You'll make friends from across the globe and expand your knowledge of history, religion and a new culture while living with your Northern Irish teen. Though they return to Northern Ireland at the end of the month, the bonds of friendships and understanding continue.

You'll watch your teen spend an unforgettable month building relationships and learning valuable lessons in leadership and acceptance. You'll see the joy and pride on your teen’s face as he or she becomes an integral part of a community with a positive focus.

Participation in the Project requires a serious commitment for the four weeks the Northern Irish teens are here.  American host teens will not be able to participate in Scouts, sports, camps, jobs, youth group, etc. 

Parents are not required to chaperone or attend the daily activities; however, there are various activities throughout the month (typically in the evenings or on weekends) that families are welcome to attend.

Most of our parents work; carpools are arranged to get to the teens where they need to be.

While all of the Northern Irish participants will be Catholic or Protestant, there are no religious qualifications for Americans.  Everyone is welcome to participate whether they are Christian or not, practicing or not.  

The group does attend a Catholic Mass and a Protestant service and visit a Synagogue, Mosque, and Quaker Meetinghouse, so participants need to be open to visiting various houses of worship and learning about others' beliefs.

American host families pay a Family Fee of $225.  This covers the cost of transportation to out-of-town trips, all admission fees, and t-shirts and other keepsakes.

Other expenses during the month include feeding and housing an extra teen, gas for transportation to local events, and food for potlucks and family events.

Take a look at a sample calendar.