The Purpose of Operation Friendship is:

"To encourage international friendship and understanding among youth and adults, both foreign and domestic, and to introduce members to the industrial, social, educational, religious, and secular heritage of each member country."

Operation Friendship is a youth exchange program between European and American families. It was founded in 1964 when the first delegates from Scotland were hosted in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Today there are seven areas of Europe participating:  England, Germany, Holland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, and Wales.