The camp will take place in tiny Soometsa village of Parnu County. Local community sees in the international camps an important tool for local development – not just in terms of work done by the volunteers but mainly for introduction of multiculturalism to the population of small places in rural area through intercultural exchange and international contacts given to local youth. This project is organized by the initiative of NGO Soometsa Village Association for the children and youth of Soometsa. The project’s aim is to create new possibilities for communication between local youth and theri peers from abroad. This is to give local youngsters the opportunity to learn and practice English in a non-formal way and friendly atmosphere meeting new friends from different countries. Most of those kids have very little chance to meet foreigners, so they have an actual need to discover new cultures and try a new way of communication. International volunteers coming to such a small village will promote intercultural exchange and help the local people to broaden their horizons.
Work and study:
Volunteers will help maintaining nature trails in the nature reserve. Another job is to help general cleaning and tidying up in and around the Community House. The study part if this year is nature photography. The area is known for its diverse flora and fauna, a lot of birds can be watched and animals seen in the nature - it all gives excellent opportunity for the good shots. Participants will be taught photography by professionals. The exhibition will be organised at the end of the camp. Community House computer facilities allow to treat the photos and upload it to Internet. A group of local youngsters will be sharing work, study and leisure with the international group of volunteers.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will live in the two rooms of the Community House. Beds and linens are provided. Still you have to bring sleeping bags for the trips out. The house has toilet, shower and equipped kitchen. Volunteers will have to cook themselves from ingredients provided by community. It will be possible to try Estonian sauna.
Special requirements:
To participate in the study part, please bring your photo camera with you! Smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs is absolutely prohibited in the camp.
Age:
The age of volunterss is 15-17.
Location:
Haedemeeste area, where Soometsa is situated, is distinctive Estonian biogeographical region of bogs, holding a big variety of valuable nature species. Soometsa is surrounded by Luitemaa nature reserves. www.luitemaa.eoy.ee/main_eng.htm Soometsa is actually a group of farm houses. It is 7 km long, has only 150 inhabitants mostly farmers. It is located in the Pärnu County, lying 25 km to the South from the Estonian „summer capital“ - the city of Parnu, famous as the most delightful of resorts, featuring various attractions during summer season. More info about Soometsa at www.soometsa.ee
Terminal:
Airport, bus or train station, harbor in Tallinn; bus to Parnu; local bus to Soometsa.
Leisure time:
Camp provides an excellent opportunity to establish contacts with young Estonians and to experience local life. Possible activities to do: sport, games, workshops, exhibition, natural hiking, excursions to the places of interest of the area. Visit to Parnu, a summer capital of Estonia, is foreseen.
Hosting fee:
Due to the lack of financial support for this project a participation fee of 150 Euro is requested from the volunteers to cover the costs of board and lodging, teaching, leisure time activities as well as administrative and pedagogical costs. It has to be paid by volunteers upon arrival to the camp.
« We did a lot of conservation work, building hiking paths, tidying up wooded areas, removing weeds, planting trees, etc. The work was extremely successful and I found it very rewarding. »