Youngsters gained work experience in Võru municipality youth camp

In the last weeks of July, the Võru municipality youth camp took place. The camp, held in hot weather, offered challenges and interesting activities for both the municipality's youth and youth workers who participated in activities with the youngsters.

As usual, the camp took place over two weeks: the day camp from July 21st to July 25th, catering to youth who wanted to participate in camp activities but did not want to stay overnight, and the overnight camp from July 28th to August 1st, where besides working, there was a strong emphasis on social interaction, team activities, and simply spending leisure time together. This year, the day camp was held at Parksepa Youth House and the overnight camp at Sõmerpalu Community House. A total of 40 youths aged 13-16 from Võru municipality participated in the camp. It is gratifying to see that the camp is popular and that young people want to work during the summer. This year, there was a record number of applicants for the camp, and unfortunately not everyone could be accommodated. However, the youth did not let this discourage them, and as it emerged from discussions, many had contingency plans and activities in place.

Participation in the youth camp helps increase the awareness of young people without work experience or with little work experience about the world of work. It is a work educational activity that combines working and the opportunities of youth work. Young people gain a safe work experience regulated by an employment contract, while workdays are combined with non-formal learning activities to develop the general competencies and social skills of youth. The camp offers young people the opportunity to gain their first work experience, new skills and knowledge, and is a place to make new friends. The work is suitable for everyone, and under the watchful eye of group leaders, the primary work experience is safe and secure.

The youths' workday started at nine o'clock and lasted until one o'clock. The schedule included lunch and then various activities in diverse workshops and training sessions. The camp's work was planned so that the youths in the day camp mostly worked in their local area, while the youths in the overnight camp, accompanied by group leaders, moved to different locations in the municipality. For larger tasks, more youths were directed to the site so that the work could be completed more quickly rather than dragging on. In the distribution of work, care was taken to allow young people to try different tasks, rather than having to deal with the same task all week. This distribution of work gave young people the opportunity to learn various work techniques and made the work experience more diverse. The young campers visited various locations in Võru municipality, including Osula, Sõmerpalu, and Kose sports fields, Puiga kindergarten sandboxes and outdoor areas, Puiga amphitheater surroundings, Lasva lake area, Parksepa Kanariku playground and benches, and the football field near the school, Orava amphitheater, Harjumägi hill, Vastseliina kindergarten outdoor area, and Postitee benches with new paint. In addition, cleanup work was done at youth centers and community halls.

The camp afternoons were filled with various training sessions and activities. Before starting work, the youths underwent work safety training. During the week, they learned about the differences and benefits of organic food, solved various tasks, reflected on themselves with a youth well-being specialist, engaged in sports with a sports coordinator, and visited the Räpina paper mill. For the first time this year, the camp ended with two camp closing events - on August 1st, they traveled to Ida-Virumaa, where they spent time together, looked back on the past camp, and visited local attractions.

Most young people were satisfied with the work and activities that took place in the camp. Some mentioned that they did not like the activities because they would have preferred to go home after work. Certainly, the hot weather played a role in the onset of fatigue. It was nice to see that young people noted in their feedback that they learned patience and teamwork while working. Some young people also acquired new skills in cooking. Delicious meals were prepared for the campers by Ludmilla Kordemets, who has been the camp's caterer for several years. Two youths assisted in the kitchen every day, preparing the meal and ensuring that the kitchen remained tidy after the campers' lunch and kept the room clean.

The Võru municipality youth camp was supported by the Education and Youth Board and the Võru municipality.