Global Summer Camp: In the footsteps of a refugeeJoin us on a trip through Europe where we follow in the footsteps of refugees. We travel along the same route which many hundreds of thousands of refugees have been taken from Europe's coast and outer borders through Balkan to Germany and Denmark. You will gain insight into how it is like to travel the long way, when we visit refugee camps on the Greek coast, travel by train through Balkan, cross borders in Eastern Europe and meet refugees on our way. We start in Copenhagen and move south through Europe until ending up on the Greek island of Lesbos. A moving summer camp We travel by train, bus and ferry through Europe. It gives you a sense of the long distances you have to overcome to get to Denmark from the Mediterranean over land.Some stages will be longer, and we will book us into night trains with couchettes or sleepers. We make stops on our way – and gain new insightDuring our travel, we will stop at significant places and learn more about the conditions refugees live under, the policies regulating refugees' lives, and how the influx of refugees is being managed in Europe. You will get new and thorough knowledge on migration and asylum policies in Europe, and witness the debate unfold in countries in very different political situations. And you can gain something from participating, no matter your previous experience and knowledge of the issue. We believe in the fact that we learn the most from the people we meet on our way.
Travel route and program:
The camp will begin in Copenhagen, DenmarkThe camp will begin with 3 days of introduction at MS Denmark's hostel in Copenhagen. Here you will meet your fellow travel companions, and we get to know each other through various teambuilding activities. The introduction in Copenhagen will consist of workshops with experts in international law and human rights, history of the refugee crisis, and trauma management in crisis situations. We also hear the testimony of a refugee who have been traveling the long way from home to Greece through Europe to Denmark. We will visit a center for asylum seekers in Denmark, and learn more about the Danish refugee and asylum policy. And then, we board the train and travel to Berlin, Germany
Berlin:
Hope, community and creativityGermany is one of the European countries which has taken many refugees, and the debate is ongoing. We meet with both sides. The ones who want to close the borders, and the ones who want to open up. Our first meet up in Berlin will be with a Syrian refugee taking us on an alternative guided tour to the city. Through the streets of Berlin, we are told the story of a refugee and at the same time we get to know Berlin through the eyes of a refugee. Berlin is always one step ahead, and vibrating with community and creativity. We seek inspiration when visiting just a few of the many projects using community and creativity when welcoming refugees and improving their situation: People sharing their flats with refugees, the bike repair giving refugees tailwind, or professionals creating jobs for migrants. We will participate ourselves, and share our food traditions and stories with each other when we cook at a community kitchen with refugees and activists in Berlin. The border between Hungary and SerbiaThe Hungary/Serbia border is protected by a wall which is 4 meters high and more than 500 km long. It was build by the Hungarian authorities to stop the influx of refugees. But the refugees are still there, now just stuck in camps just before the border, until they risk their lives and try to cross the heavily guarded border. We will get first hand knowledge about the refugee policies of Hungary and the European Union seen from one of the EU's outer borders, and we investigate if it is actually possible to shut down a refugee route. From the border, we take the night train south through Serbia and Macedonia where we sleep in couchettes or sleepers. Bring your game cards, books and music, and be part of creating a real train travelling community! Volunteering in Thessaloniki, GreeceWhat can you do, if you want to improve conditions for refugees in Europe? We visit a refugee day center where volunteers have taken action and are helping by handing out clothes to refugees. We do our part, and we get an understanding of how you can volunteer and what it takes to become a professional in an NGO working with refugees.
Athens:
Unaccompanied minors and the financial crisisIn Athens, we will call on the responsible authorities. We will visit Frontex, the EU border authorities, and Greek authorities as well, and have a chance to confront them with our questions. We will visit a refugee center for unaccompanied minors, and a community center for and by some of the people in Greece who have faced the hardest consequences of the financial crisis. This will give us the opportunity to discuss what it takes to create less boundaries and avoid racism between socially marginalized people and refugees.
Lesbos:
The coast and outer border of the European UnionWe arrive to Lesbos by ferry, the same sailing route as thousands of refugees have taken to arrive to the European mainland. Here, we will witness the refugee camp Moria where refugees arriving on the coast of Lesbos are being detained, and we will meet the people receiving and working with newcoming refugees. The camp concludes by an action project, where you get the chance to put your newly acquired knowledge into use, before we says goodbye to each other by celebrating a farewell dinner.
NB:
The program is subject to change. When the camp ends, we will be on Lesbos. If you need to get home quickly, we can provide you with a flight ticket home at an extra cost. If you have good time, you can use your interrail pass and travel Europe by train – maybe even stop by Crotia's beaches, go hiking in the Alps, or discovering cities such as Budapest or Vienna. Or use some of your summer holidays for island hopping the Greek islands. Do you have even more time? Why not use some of your new insights to volunteer and help refugees in Greece. We have several contacts and partners – just contact us well in advance. Trainer and tour guideDitte Bloch Noer will be lead trainer and tour guide of the summer camp.
Presentation of Ditte in her own words:
'I have been working with refugee issues for several years, both in paid positions and as a volunteer, and I am looking very much forward to putting all my experience into use and give you an educational and eye-opening trip. I used to work inside the refugee camp on Lesbos, which we will be visiting at the end of the program, and this experience made a huge impression on me. I have also lived and worked for several years in the Middle East and Eastern Africa, and through the last 10 years, I have been committed to training and organizing youth in Denmark as well as abroad.'
Accomodation & food:
All accommodation during the 3 weeks is included in the extra fee.Breakfast is included all days, lunch and dinner on your own. Cities like Copenhagen, Berlin, Thessaloniki and Athens offer great possibilities for going out and trying local cuisine. This camp travels through Europe, so we are in more than one location.
Accommodation by location in short:
Copenhagen, Denmark: We will stay at Globalhagen, hostel of MS DenmarkBerlin, Germany: We will stay in a backpacker hostel in Berlin
Border Hungary/Serbia:
To be announcedThessaloniki, Greece: We stay in shared apartments Athens, Greece: We stay in a hostel in downtown Athens Lesbos, Greece: Flats or guest house
Location & leisure:
This camp travels through Europe, so we are in more than one location.
This is the route in short:
Copenhagen, Denmark: 3 daysBerlin, Germany: 4 days
Traveling by train gives us time to get to know each other. Please bring game cards and musical instruments, or your favorite song for singing when passing through the changing landscapes.The program is packed with exciting visits on our way through Europe, but you also have time for exploring the cities we visit on your own. Experience the historical monuments in Berlin, or have a great evening at one of the town's many venues, have dinner at a local restaurant, or stroll through the narrow, antique alleys in Athens, before we end our journey at the once so idyllic holiday island Lesbos.
Age:
18-29
Location:
Copenhagen (denmark), berlin (germany), subotica (serbia/hungary), thessaloniki, athens and lesbos (greece)
Language(s):
English
Airport:
CPH: Kastrup (Copenhagen, Denmark)Vegetarian food will be available
During the two week where the Work Camp takes place. There school has special teaching program. The first week the overall topic will be intercultural meetings. During this week you will tell the pupils about your home country and culture as well assisting in teaching about other cultures. The Work Camp participants will be spread out in different classes, meaning that all of you won't do the same. The teachers who normally teach the classes will be in charge of the teaching and instruct the work camp participants in how to assist in their classes. During the second week of the Work Camp the overall topic will be "Harvest". Here you will pick apples with the pupils and help producing marmalade, juice, cheese and etc. Apart of from assisting during class, the Work Camp participants might also do activities with the children outside class, during breaks. It will all be coordinated with the school staff once your are at the Work Camp. If you have any good ideas to activites that you would like to do, your are more than welcome to suggest them to the school staff.
Accomodation & food:
Sleeping facilities:You will be sleeping 8 nights at the school. There will be bathroom facilities. The rest of your stay (4 nights) you will be hosted by families who lives close to the school.
Food:
While staying at the school Work Camp volunteers wil be served lunch in the cafeteria. You can use the kitchen facilities at the school to cook breakfast and dinner. While staying with a host family, you will be served food.
Location & leisure:
In your spare time you can vistit the beautiful beaches and nature that is nearby. You will be able to use the public transportation to get to turist attractions such as the H.C. Andersens house.
Requirements:
A clean criminal record is required by Danish law when working with children. It is necessary to send a copy of your record as soon as you have been accepted to the camp. A motivational letter is required. Please write ½ a page, explaining why you want to attend this camp.
Age:
18-25
Location:
Brobyskolerne, skolevej 4, 5672 broby, denmark
Language(s):
English
Airport:
CPH: Kastrup (Copenhagen, Denmark)Vegetarian food will be available
« The most beautiful thing about volunteering obviously is the people you meet… the helpfulness the understanding…there is always someone who puts a plate of food in front of you if you say you are not hungry and not in the mood, or gives you a pep talk or simply a hug. »
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