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Outdoor classroom

Tutuin, Serbia

In partnership with

The organizer of the volunteer camp is the High School in Tutin, an educational institution that, in addition to its basic educational role, actively acts as an open space for learning, creativity and social engagement of young people. The school continuously encourages students and teachers to connect knowledge with real life, community and contemporary challenges, through projects, volunteer actions and informal education.

The organizer's mission is to give young people the opportunity to become active participants in the improvement of their environment, developing a sense of responsibility, solidarity and environmental awareness. Special focus is placed on learning through practice, teamwork and creative problem solving, with respect for diversity and openness to new ideas.

The "Classroom without walls" volunteer camp is part of the school's broader vision to make the school space not only a place of teaching, but also a place of meeting, dialogue and joint creation. Through the organization of the camp, the Gymnasium wants to connect students, volunteers and the local community in a common goal - to create a sustainable and inspiring outdoor learning space.

The organizing team consists of teachers, associates and volunteers with experience in working with young people, projects in the field of education, ecology and culture. Their approach is based on trust, cooperation and support for volunteers throughout the duration of the camp. The organizer believes that small, local initiatives can bring lasting changes and that joint work and exchange of experiences form the basis of a healthy and active community.


Description of the Work

Volunteers will participate in the construction of an inspiring outdoor classroom in the courtyard of the Gymnasium. Activities include field preparation, primarily cleaning and leveling the area.

The work is planned for 5 working days (from Monday to Friday), 6 hours a day (from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a break), whereby the main part of the activity will be carried out in the morning hours to avoid high daytime temperatures.

The central part of the activity refers to the construction of the classroom itself, which includes the formation and installation of concrete benches for sitting, as well as the manufacture and assembly of wooden tables and work surfaces. After the construction works, the final processing and arrangement of the space follows: installation of the writing board, painting of elements with non-toxic paints, installation of canvas curtains to provide shade, as well as planting of trees and ornamental plants within the classroom.

All necessary professional support and material logistics are provided. The municipality will ensure the presence and leadership of an experienced construction master, as well as an architect who will oversee the implementation of the project solution. Also, complete logistics required for work, including transportation of materials and tools, are provided


Accommodation & Food

During the camp, the volunteers will be accommodated in the gymnasium of the Gymnasium, which will be adapted for temporary stay. Volunteers will use their own sleeping bags and personal equipment, and sanitary facilities, water and electricity will be available to them. The space is safe and allows all participants to stay together, which encourages team spirit and getting to know each other.

Food during the camp will be organized in solidarity and together. The meals will be donated by the students of the Gymnasium and members of the local community, which further strengthens the bond between the school, volunteers and the environment, a great contribution from Dace and the Tutin Tourist Organization. During the day, basic meals and refreshments will be provided, while a joint barbecue is planned as the central social event of the camp, intended for socializing, exchanging experiences and thanking the volunteers.

Participants will jointly participate in the preparation and organization of meals, with the coordination of the project team, and special attention will be paid to hygiene, safety and respect for different dietary needs. This model of accommodation and food contributes to a sense of community and makes the camp an experience that goes beyond volunteer work itself.

The organization of free time will be specially taken care of. The tourist organization of the municipality took responsibility for providing the content during the afternoon hours.


Location & Leisure

The camp will be held in the courtyard of the Gymnasium in Tutin, a town located on the Pešter plateau, surrounded by untouched nature, mountain air and a strong sense of community of the local community. Tutin is an attractive destination for volunteers who want to combine socially useful work, being in nature and getting to know a diverse cultural and spiritual heritage.

During their stay, volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in short trips and tours of natural and cultural sights in the area. Among the planned visits are Via ferrata Đurđevica, attractive for lovers of active vacations, Godovska Pećina and the site of Promuklica, as examples of authentic natural phenomena of Pešter. As part of the cultural excursions, a visit to the Crna Reka monastery, as well as the church with the oldest frescoes in this area, which testify to the rich history of the area, is planned.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to visit a mosque with one of the highest minarets in Europe, which further illustrates the multicultural character of the environment. A stay in Tutin offers a unique experience of meeting nature, culture and people, and leaves a strong impression on every visitor.


Appointment

Will be in info sheet!


Host Organization

Young Researchers of Serbia - Voluntary Service of Serbia (YRS-VSS) is a non-profit, non-political NGO officially established in 1976 as a network of organizations, societies, clubs and sections with research programmes, gathered around the coordinative office on the national level in Belgrade. Through its history the number of members changed, but there were over 50 different organizations taking part. In the 90’s YRS-VSS leaves the organizational form of vertical relationships following the current direction of civil sector development. Today YRS-VSS represents the organization on the national level and it unites three thematically different but interconnected sectors – Environmental Protection and Conservation Sector, Youth Sector and Voluntary Service of Serbia. Young Researchers of Serbia - Voluntary Service of Serbia involves mostly young people aged 15-30, but there is no upper age limit. We have developed in delivering good preparation and follow up of young people with fewer opportunities. THINK BIG - do little: start an avalanche! is our motto. Our vision is to be the driving force for all those whose aim is to make our planet a more peaceful, just and healthy place. Driven by science and education, our mission is to contribute: -to environmental protection and nature conservation, -to development of voluntarism and its values, -to scientific creativity and active participation of the youth. Our main aims are environmental protection, environmental education, youth exchange and work with young people, as well as the promotion of sustainable development, scientific creativity and volunteerism. We have organized hundreds of research projects and educative programmes for young people in various areas of natural and social sciences. INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE We usually send approx. 400-500 volunteers from Serbia abroad and host over 400 foreign volunteers to 35+ workcamps each year. Since 2015 our work on international volunteers exchange is supported by the Ministry for youth and sports of the Republic of Serbia. MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS YRS-VSS is a member of: Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, CCIVS – Coordinative Committee of International Voluntary Service, YEE – Youth and Environment Europe, ANPED – Northern Alliance for Sustainability, CEEWEB – Central and East European Working Group for the Enhancement of Biodiversity, and a partner of the network SCI in Serbia. YRS-VSS is one of the founding members of SEEYN – South East European Youth Network. IN THE ALLIANCE We are full members of the Alliance since 2005 and in the IVS movement since 1980’s. Our main contribution to the network has been in delegating representatives to the Executive Committee (Jelena Ristic Beronja, Vice President of the Alliance 2010-2016, senior trainer in the Pool of Trainers since 2014) and Management Committees (Bojan Beronja as SDWG coordinator 2012 – 2014 and again in 2016 – 2017) and hosting EC meetings, the first Joint Meeting in 2012, Alliance Capacity Building Training in 2014, Alliance General Conference and General Assembly 2016.