SANDPOINT — Logan Buckhout has been planning to spend a school year in Denmark since his freshman year.

As he enters his junior year, the 17-year-old said he is one of two Sandpoint High School students who will spend the 2017-2018 academic year in a foreign country through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. With so many places to choose from, Buckhout said he didn't want to go to a popular tourist destination.

"Denmark was the cultural capital of the world last year, so I thought I would experience more there than other countries, and I've always been interested in European culture industry, so I thought it would be a solid choice," Buckhout said.

He said he is a bit nervous about the trip, but is excited to develop skills that will help him succeed in life, such as independent responsibility. After high school, Buckhout plans to go into medical sales, which he said is a fast-growing and tough business to get into.

About 40 local businesses are supporting Buckhout with "generous donations" toward his fundraising efforts. The items are split up into five packages, which are being raffled off individually, including a festival package, summer package, restaurant package, women's package and a men's package.

Buckhout has been working to raise about $16,000 to cover all the expenses for the academic year, including $6,000 to Rotary. Although he is getting close, more help is needed, he said.

Rotary, he said, wants students to get the full academic and cultural experience, so the students stay with multiple host families throughout the year. Buckhout has two families set up so far.

"And by the craziest coincidence, I met my host brother," Buckhout said.

He was attending a Rotary exchange camp for inbound and outbound students in the district, and one of the Denmark students happens to be his host brother, he said.

In addition, a fundraiser is being held at the 219 today from 6-9 p.m. and Buckhout will be out back selling tickets.

Raffle tickets for the extensive packages are $10 each, three for $25, or 15 for $100. The first two prize packages will be given away this month, and the other three will be given away in August. The purchaser has the option of which prize package they want to enter their raffle ticket.

To purchase raffle tickets, call Buckhout at 208-627-6127, or his mother, Karley Mollenberg at 208-304-9645.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.