Mediterranean Tradition is a trip to be taken as part of a People to People project.

Presently, there are 21 students from schools in the Lehigh Valley, Poconos, Saucon Valley, Palmerton, Northwestern and Lehighton.

They are attending monthly informational meetings at St. John's Lutheran Church, Slatington, to learn what it means to be an ambassador rather than a tourist before they leave July 10 for Spain, the only one of the three countries they will visit with home stays.

The other two countries are Italy and France. Their journey will last 19 days.

The program was the idea of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who hoped that People to People International would help promote world peace through understanding.

He felt the personal interactions could do more than governments to make the world a safer, friendlier place.

In January 1956, Eisenhower met with 100 American business leaders to help form the organization.

Two of the most influential men at the conference were Walt Disney and Joyce C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards.

Disney's It's a Small World attraction was one direct result of the conference.

The chapter of People to People in which the students are participating is known as Student Ambassadors. There are also Sister Cities and Citizen Ambassadors chapters.

At the Feb. 3 meeting, there was a quiz on the background of People to People.

"We go over things they need to know to be successful on the trip," said Barbara Campbell, who, with husband Tom, lead the local contingent of students. Helping are Amanda Kimmage and Maria Rousso.

Tom Campbell said there is normally a party at the home stay.

Participants must wear closed shoes, a lanyard with name and emergency information, and the body must be covered by clothing.

No T-shirts with offensive writing or pictures may be worn.

He also discussed the different cultures.

"It's not necessarily wrong; it's different," Tom Campbell said.

The group also has to do a local service project. They have chosen the Northern Lehigh Food Bank.

Each brought in canned soups, as Feb. 3 was Souper Bowl Sunday.

To better their speaking skills, each student was assigned a country to talk about. They may be asked to speak in front of groups at their host countries and need to practice.

There is a contest to design a T-shirt, which will be worn with khaki pants in situations, such as traveling.

Meeting groups of people or government officials are also "uniform" times.

Last year, on the shirt for a trip to China was written,"I am a Student Ambassador. The World is my Classroom, 2012."

The shirt also had a picture of a dragon on the front.

Each team of students had to name four traits of good ambassadors.

If they named more, they received more points. Some traits are to be friendly, respectful, responsible, caring and adventurous. Civics lessons were given to be sure students knew the U.S. federal and state officials, and major issues of the day such as the environment, homeland security and the economy.

They learned that the Pennsylvania State motto is "Virtue. Liberty. Independence."

Campbell said they would be learning some patriotic songs to sing and each student keeps a journal, which they have already started.

Upstairs in the church, the students' parents were discussing methods of fundraising. They also learn the requirements for their children and what to expect.

On March 3, state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, is scheduled to be the speaker for the informational program at St. John's, Second Street, Slatington.

Day is scheduled to speak at 1:30 p.m.

Students are still able to join the Student Ambassadors by calling Campbell at 610-432-3313. Applicants will be interviewed.