Programme & action: ERASMUS+, Key Action 1: Youth Exchange
Venue: Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Youth Exchange Dates: 5 – 13 May 2017
Participants: Petr Svobodník, Klára Ubrová, Kateřina Kolomá, Anika Rychlíková, Karel Janásek, Markéta Zemanová, Zuzana Skalická, Natálie Zelinková
Group leader: Eva Valentová
Please read the info pack & daily programme (below)
Hosting organisation: P.E.CO. – Progetti Europei di Cooperazione
Participating organisations: Czech Republic, Italy, Estonia, Croatia, Spain
Project report:
Ciao! I have just arrived from Italy and I am glad that I could participate in the youth exchange called S.T.E.P.S. (Share Trekking Experience Promoting Self-awareness). This youth exchange took place in National Park Appennino Tosco-Emiliano from 5th until 13th of May 2017 and it was organized by Italian organization P.E.C.O. There were participants from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Croatia and Italy.
The first day of the exchange we all took the bus which was arranged by organizers from Milano to the hostel in the middle of the National Park Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. First days were dedicated to the activities to get to know each other, our fears and expectations, team-building activities and we did one activity called speed dating when we spoke every three minutes with a different person about various topics. It was great opportunity to get to know other people. Then we had the “rotating stations” activity for the preparation of trekking when we learned many useful things. Really important activity was learning how to lead the donkey as they helped us to carry luggage during the trekking.
After the preparation, we could start our trekking. We were trekking for four days and our journey led from Ca´Bracchi and we passed following places: Piolo, Cinquecerri, Caprile, le Vaglie, Ospitaletto, Ligonchio and back to Ca´Bracchi. It was a really great experience – trekking in the Apennines, leading and taking care of the donkey and enjoying activities. Trekking was used as a tool to raise self-awareness of the participants and to help them find their place in the world and motivate them in achieving their goals. Last day of the trekking we did an activity called “Desert” which means that each participant had to walk alone last part of our trek. This time was supposed to be used for thinking about the project, things we learned and our future plans.
I would like to thank Italian organizers, participants, EYCB and all the people who helped this useful and amazing project became true. In my view, it changed life and thinking of many involved people. Eva Valentová
