Challenger Chatter | June 28, 2025
A Cultural Experience Without Leaving Home: From Hosting Soccer Coaches to Welcoming International Students
Every summer, families across the U.S. open their homes to international coaches from Challenger Sports, turning a week of soccer camp into something much more meaningful — a cultural exchange, a family memory, and often, the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
At Challenger Sports, we believe in the power of connection. Yes, we coach soccer — but what we really do is help kids grow, build confidence, and create global friendships. Our international coaching staff, primarily from the United Kingdom and Europe, but also occasionally from further afield, don’t just teach soccer drills. They share stories, cook favorite meals from back home, play backyard games, and become honorary family members, even if only for a week. Our team also includes North American based staff who are looking to travel and expand their experience on their own continent.
Hosting a Challenger Coach: A Unique Opportunity
Each year, hundreds of coaches travel to the U.S. to lead our weeklong soccer camps. During that time, they stay with host families in the communities they serve. For many families, this is the highlight of their summer.
“Gemma was a fantastic guest. She is easygoing and appreciative. My girls really enjoyed the opportunity to host her — and we don’t want her to leave!”
— Ella D.
“This has been the best experience. Henley has been an absolute joy. He’s so polite and engaging with our family. Our children have just fallen in love with him.”
— The Mense Family
“We enjoyed having Duncan join us for the week. He was a great conversationalist at dinner and loved telling us about his homeland, Scotland. My little girl absolutely adored him!”
— Jamie T.
These aren’t isolated stories. We receive countless emails every year from families who are surprised by how impactful just one week can be. Many keep in touch with their coach long after they’ve gone, exchanging holiday cards, WhatsApp messages, and even planning future visits across the globe.
How Does Hosting Work?
When you sign up for a Challenger Sports camp, you’ll typically be asked if you're interested in hosting one of our coaches. Our regional team then checks your local area to see if we’re in need of host families. Even if your child isn’t attending the camp, you can still be a host — and you’re more than welcome to apply through our host family membership group anytime during the year.
As a thank-you, host families receive either a free Challenger Sports day camp or a $100 rebate. But for most families, the real reward is the connection they build with someone from a different part of the world — all without leaving their own home.
And if you’ve ever thought, I wish this cultural exchange could last longer, there’s good news: it can.
Taking Cultural Exchange a Step Further: Hosting with YFU
Our partner, Youth For Understanding (YFU USA), makes it possible to extend the kind of connections made during a weeklong soccer camp into something even deeper and more transformative — by hosting an international high school student for a longer period of time.
Whether you’re new to hosting or have done it before with Challenger Sports, YFU offers a variety of hosting options to match your lifestyle and comfort level. Just like with our coaching program, YFU families often describe their experience as life-changing.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of hosting you can explore with YFU:
Full Academic Year Hosting
The most traditional and immersive form of hosting, this experience runs from August through June. During this time, your family shares everything from back-to-school excitement and Thanksgiving dinners to prom season and high school graduation.
You’ll have the chance to truly bond with your student, watch them grow academically and socially, and share in everyday moments that become treasured memories.
Winter Year Hosting
This unique model is designed around the academic calendars of many South American countries, with students arriving in January and staying until December. It’s a great option for families who might have more flexibility or who enjoy hosting during spring and summer.
Semester Hosting
Not sure about committing to a full year? Hosting for just the fall or spring semester gives your family the opportunity to dip your toes into the hosting experience. It’s perfect for busy households or first-time hosts looking to explore if long-term hosting is a good fit.
Arrival Family Hosting
YFU’s Arrival Families host international students for up to 12 weeks, helping them settle in as local coordinators find a long-term placement. This type of hosting plays a vital role in easing a student’s transition and can often lead to a longer-term bond — some Arrival Families even choose to become the student’s permanent hosts.
Emergency Hosting
Life happens, and sometimes an exchange student’s host placement needs to change quickly. Emergency Host Families step in to provide a safe, supportive environment while a new permanent host is located. This option is best for experienced hosts who are comfortable navigating unexpected changes.
Specialty Short-Term Hosting
If you love the short-term hosting experience with Challenger Sports but want to try something different, YFU offers specialty short-term programs. One standout example is the USA For You program, which provides a few weeks of cultural immersion for students from around the world.
Challenger Sports is proud to be featured in this category. Through our partnership with YFU, we support both short-term hosting of adult coaches and help pave the way for families to explore longer-term opportunities with teens.
Why It Matters
Whether you're hosting a soccer coach for a week or welcoming a teenager into your home for a year, you're doing more than just providing a bed and meals — you're changing lives. You're giving someone the chance to experience American culture firsthand, to improve their language skills, and to feel the warmth of family thousands of miles from home.
In return, you and your family gain a deeper understanding of the world, new traditions, and friendships that often span years — even decades. In many ways, hosting is one of the most rewarding things a family can do, and it all starts with saying yes.
Ready to Host?
Whether you're ready to open your doors for a week or a year, there’s a hosting opportunity that’s perfect for your family.
- Interested in hosting a Challenger Sports coach for a week? Click HERE to learn more and apply.
- Curious about becoming a YFU host family for a longer stay? Learn more HERE to explore options.
- Test
- Want to hear why hosting is so memorable, and gain more insight into this area? Listen to the podcast YFU's Kelsey Ross conducted with Challenger Sports Vice President, Grant Hall.
Join the thousands of families who have discovered that some of the most unforgettable journeys begin right at home!
