Wild Skills, Strong Minds II — Norway

When I first read the infopack for this project, I knew it was exactly the type of Erasmus+ experience I was looking for. Spending most of the time outdoors, learning practical skills and exploring Norwegian nature sounded like the perfect combination. Looking back now, I can say that the project fully met my expectations and became one of my favourite Erasmus+ experiences.

During the week, participants from different countries had the opportunity to learn and practice a wide range of outdoor skills. We discussed hiking preparation, navigation, risk management, packing backpacks, outdoor cooking and teamwork. Instead of learning only through presentations, we experienced everything in practice. Every activity encouraged us to cooperate, solve problems together and step outside our comfort zones.

The highlight of the whole project was definitely our two-day hiking expedition. We were responsible for different tasks such as preparing food, organizing the programme or taking care of the equipment. Although the weather was far from ideal and we spent many hours hiking in the rain, these challenging moments eventually became the best memories. Preparing dinner in strong wind, setting up tents and helping each other showed us that teamwork is often the key to overcoming difficult situations.

Another unforgettable experience was kayaking to a small island surrounded by the beautiful Norwegian landscape. Paddling together, enjoying the peaceful nature and reaching the island as a team made this activity both relaxing and rewarding. It was a completely different kind of outdoor adventure that perfectly complemented the hiking expedition and allowed us to experience Norway from another perspective.

We also learned several fire-making techniques and prepared different meals over an open fire, including salmon with vegetables, baba ganoush, cinnamon rolls and chocolate bananas. These activities taught us that cooking outdoors can be both practical and enjoyable when everyone contributes.

One of the final tasks was creating a booklet that summarizes everything we had learned during the project. Working in smaller international teams, we prepared chapters about hiking, outdoor cooking, packing, navigation and safety. It was a great way to reflect on our learning and create something that future participants can also benefit from.

Besides all the practical knowledge, this project gave me much more. I met amazing people from different countries, discovered breathtaking Norwegian nature and gained confidence in outdoor activities. I also found many ideas and methods that I would like to use in my future work with young people, especially when organizing non-formal educational activities in nature.

I would like to thank the organizers for their excellent preparation, friendly atmosphere and well-balanced programme. Everything was thoughtfully planned, communication was smooth throughout the project and it was clear how much effort had been put into creating this experience for us.

A huge thank you goes to EYCB for making this project possible. Every detail was thoughtfully prepared, the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming and I felt supported from the very beginning. I am also grateful to the Erasmus+ programme for giving young people the opportunity to learn, travel and connect with others through experiences like this. I am returning home with new friendships, unforgettable memories and many practical skills that I will continue to use in my youth work. I hope to meet many of these amazing people again on future projects.

Eliška B.