The Amish and Old Order Mennonite Communities still use a horse-drawn carriage or buggy as their main mode of transportation. Weather permitting, you will enjoy a horse and buggy ride to get a sense of what life must be like without a car for transportation. And, if you are lucky, you may be allowed to take the reins and drive the horse all by yourself!

You will have the opportunity to meet an Amish family by sharing a meal in their home...something that very few "English folk" (that's you and me) have the opportunity to do. Miriam usually goes to great lengths to prepare a feast of homemade foods, such as Chicken Corn Soup and homemade bread and jam. She is a wonderful cook and this meal is usually a great event for CIH.

In addition to not driving cars or tractors, the Amish do not have electricity in their homes. You will see the gas lanterns that they use in their homes to provide light in the evenings.

After lunch, you may be able to explore the barns to see the horses and other farm animals (and, if you are lucky, puppies or kittens!)

Typically, as a welcome to guests, the students will share songs that they learning. In return, you will have time with those students to exchange a bit of your culture, whether that be talking about your country or your hometown, or sharing games that children play in your country. This sharing of cultures is always a great time.

Information provided on this activity is an example of past experiences.