ESTONIE 2008

                 Places in: Family camp in August (EST 35)««««« 
New camp in October (EST 36, 37) «««Aventure (EST 22) ««

ESTYES

+18 ans (quelques projets ados 14-17 ans)

INTRODUCTION TO ESTYES
International Youth Association EstYES is non-profit, non-political, non-governmental organization which was established in 1991 with the purpose to promote youth and cultural exchanges for better understanding and just world. It is a pioneer organization in the field of youth voluntary service in Estonia.

Our objectives
* to increase international understanding and solidarity between countries and people;
* to promote continues dialogue between young people all over the world;
* to enable young people by living and working together to learn from each other, discover the variety of cultures, broaden horizons thus building bridges over differences; 
* to promote international voluntary service in Estonia as a tool for local development;
* to help solution of actual problems in Estonia by means of international voluntary service.

Our activities
* organize voluntary camps in Estonia and send Estonian volunteers abroad;
* send Estonian volunteers to mid- and long-term voluntary services abroad; 
* host volunteers from abroad on mid- and long-term projects in Estonia; 
* participate in EVS program as sending, hosting and coordinating organization;
* organize and run youth cultural exchanges of different kinds, study visits with various themes for youth foreign groups in Estonia and for Estonians abroad;
* take part in conferences, seminars, training abroad and organise those in Estonia.

Target groups EstYES works with
EstYES works mainly with young people 15 - 28. The majority of them are high school or university students. Young people with fewer opportunities are the group of special consideration of EstYES.

Our partners
From 1994 we have exchanges with branches of SCI (Service Civil International) and from 1995 - with members of Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, YAP (Youth Action for Peace) and their partner organizations. In 1996 we established cooperation with ICYE (International Christian Youth Exchange). In September 1997 EstYES participated in the creating the Network of East and Central European Voluntary Service Organizations – EASTLINKS. In October 1997 EstYES became a member of Alliance. Currently EstYES is a President of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations. 

Sources of income
EstYES income is mainly consists of contributions and subscription fees from the participants of our programs. EstYES also receives grants for the projects from foundations like Open Society Foundation, YOUTH Programme, European Youth Foundation, etc. EstYES does not have any grants from the state.

INTRODUCTION TO ESTYES INTERNATIONAL WORKCAMPS

Although there were few attempts to organize workcamps in Estonia in the very beginning of EstYES existence in 1991-1992 the first real workcamps took place in 1994. There were only 2 of them. In 2007 EstYES plans to host around 30 adult projects + 10 teenage camps, offering places to about 300 international volunteers, and hoping to send abroad the same number of Estonian participants.

Work
Usually workcamps last 2 weeks and take place from June to September. The number of international volunteers in the camp varies from 3 to 12. We try to avoid having more than two people of the same nationality in the camp. Usually English is a camp language, but there some camps where common language is German, French and even Spanish. As a rule volunteers have to work 5-7 hours a day 5-6 days a week for the benefit of local community. Hosts provide food and accommodation as well as social and cultural activities in return. 

Conditions for participation
Volunteers should be over 18 years old, except teenage camps where participants are 14-17 years old. For the work with kids the minimum age of volunteers is usually 20. There is no maximum age limit. Usually there are no special skills required from volunteers, except camps dealing with kids. Participants should be motivated to do voluntary work, be ready to meet realities of local life and have enough flexibility to accept it, be tolerant and open for the new experiences. In some camps (usually work with kids) a motivation letter is required from the volunteer.

Camp leaders
As a rule in the camp there is one leader, whose task is to be a coordinator and the link between participants and the host. Leader participates in daily life equally with volunteers. EstYES does invite camp leaders from abroad.

Insurance
In Estonian camps insurance is not provided, so volunteers have to bring their own insurance against illness, accident and third party risk. Participants from EU countries should bring EU health insurance form (former E111).

Some practical matters
For the majority of camps volunteers have to bring sleeping bag, work clothes and gloves, summer clothes and swimming suit, but also warm clothes and rain-gear as weather in Estonia is very changeable and unpredictable. It is vital to have a mosquito cream on project taking place in the country side! Volunteers are also asked to bring information about their country, photos, music, songbooks, games, musical instruments, etc.

Meeting point
Usually EstYES collects volunteers either at the bus terminal in Tallinn or in the office the day camp begins. Here they meet camp leader and travel together to the camp site. Tallinn Bus Terminal address: Bussijaam, Lastekodu 46

Infosheets
Camp details, practical information, travel directions, etc. will be sent to partners 3 weeks before beginning of the camp as latest.

Useful links:
www.visitestonia.com ; www.ilm.ee  ; www.inyourpocket.com/estonia/en  ; www.einst.ee  ; www.ibs.ee/dict ; www.gov.ee/en ; www.tallinn.ee 

EST 35     Family Camp at Kiidi Farm       25.08 - 05.09.2008     MANU/ Family       

Project
EstYES promotes camps where parents and children can participate together. The idea is to create a sort of temporary community where adults and children can share the idea of voluntary activity for the benefit of rural area. The schedule of the camp allows adults to act as volunteers like in any other voluntary camp (4-5 hours a day for practical tasks). Meanwhile children “work” as well, in the sense that they take part in the activities helping parents and sharing easy tasks with them. Local organisers supported by parents care about the children during the working activities, providing snacks, proposing games, etc. In the daily free time and in the days off group excursions will be suggested by the local hosts. Parents can join the camp in pair or alone with their children. The age of children is 5 to 14. Some English is necessary for parents in order to communicate among them and with the campleader. This camp follows positive experience of last two years.

Venue
It is a long tradition for EstYES to organize international workcamps in co-operation with Kiidi Farm located in the Voru County in the South of Estonia. With the support of the state and local authorities the eco- and farm sustainable tourism has been developed in this area. Besides promoting the environmental tourism, this initiative supports rural development, which is an important issue for Estonia . Estonian Association of Farm Tourism has launched several projects, and Kiidi Farm, where the camp takes place, is one of them. It is run by the large Piho family with 8 kids of different age. More information on Kiidi Farm is on site www.kiidi.ee

Location
The charm of Haanja Uplands in South Estonia lies in its lovely hilly landscape, winding roads and numerous lakes. Most of its ancient villages, special dialect, handicraft, and customs have been preserved until today. The whole area, called Vorumaa, is an area of outstanding beauty. It is famous for its diverse and very well preserved nature. Untouched forests with wildlife, deep valleys, hills, 170 small lakes with extremely clean water, rivers with caves in the steep banks - you can find everything there. Kiidi Farm is situated 15 km south of Voru, capital of the County, which has a population of 17 000 people and lies about 250 km south-east of Tallinn, very close to the Latvian and Russian borders. The closest village to Kiidi Farm is Rouge (3km) with a population of less than 1000 people. More information about Estonia www.visitestonia.com; South-Estonia www.werro.ee, www.southestonia.info

Work
Various works in the forest: cutting unwanted trees and bushes, burning old tree brunches and brushwood, preparing firewood for heating the farm; also diverse odd jobs in the farm buildings as well as general household work. Most of the work will be outdoors. There can be also some light building/ maintaining works indoors when the weather is too rainy. The work will be normally 4-5 hours a day, the rest of the time will be spend to get acquainted with the area, it s natural and historical sites as well as with local people. Some local families will join the camp for work and leisure.

 Accomodation:
In the farmhouse in 2-4-bedded rooms. WC, shower, hot water, & sauna are available. Hosts will prepare meals themselves, however, participants will be asked to help out in the kitchen.

Terminal
Airport, harbour, bus or train station in Tallinn ; bus to Voru.

Special requirements
The camp is open for families with their children aged 5 to 14. Parents can come in pair or alone. Please bring working clothes and gloves. English is the camp language.

 Leisure time
There are many possibilities for leisure time, especially for those who love nature: acquaintance with nature sights in the area, hiking, swimming, etc. Excursions to the historical sites of the County of Voru are planned as well. Volunteers will have a very good chance to get in close contact with the local people, experience local traditions and learn some customs like enjoying hot Estonian sauna!

 Participation fee
As EstYES does not receive funds to support your participation in this camp neither from the state nor from private sponcors, you are asked to contribute towards cost of board and lodging, local transport, leisure time program, etc. The fee has to be paid by volunteers upon arrival to the camp and it is 60 Euro for every adult and every child.

 
EST 36      KAREPA HERB GARDEN 6     KUNDA       17.09 - 30.09                     AGRI/ STUDY

EST 37      KAREPA HERB GARDEN 7     KUNDA       02.10 - 16.10                     AGRI/ STUDY        

Project

The camp will take place in Vihula Community in Karepa village at tourist farm, which is specialised on growing medicinal herbs, seasonings and unusual (for Estonia ) vegetables. Besides growing herbs and vegetables Karepa Farm offers various lectures/ courses such as:

• The the history and legends of medicinal herbs;
• Medicinal herbs and seasonings that should be in everyday use;
• How to pick and dry herbs and make tinctures and ointments;
• The use of plants in cosmetics and body care, in sauna, etc;
• Healthy diets;
• Naturopathy.

Trips to the nature to see and explore medicinal herbs are also offered throughout the year.

The farm is run by Katrin and Verner Luke, who would like to introduce their activities to the international participants and ask them to give a hand in the seasonal agricultural work.

 Work

All work will be mainly outdoors: picking up the herbs in the garden and in nature as well as berries and mushrooms in the forest. Also drying and packing the herbs, especially at rainy days. Occasionally some odd jobs in the farm house can be offered. There will be also a study part - everything about medicinal herbs and the use of it. Work will be ca 7 hours every day. One full day of the camp is reserved for the excursions or hiking.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay in the rooms of the guest house of the farm. Please bring a sleeping bag. Luxurious facilities cannot be provided, but shower and dry toilet is available. Food will be simple - homemade Estonian country food from the farm. And a lot of herbal tea, of course! Volunteers may be asked to help preparing meals and cleaning up.

Location

Karepa is a tiny village situated in a beautiful place on the sea side (about 300m from the sea) in Vihula community of Lääne-Virumaa County in North-Estonia. This area borders to the Lahemaa National Park. Nearest towns – Kunda 10 km , Jõhvi 55 km , Rakvere 35 km , Narva 100 km , Tallinn 110 km . More information on  www.visitestonia.com, www.lahemaa.ee, www.ravimtaimeaed.ee

Terminal

Airport, harbour, bus & train stations in Tallinn , bus to Rakvere or Kunda.

Special requirements

Volunteers should be interested in nature, herbs and healthy life style. Smoking and drinking alcohol is not allowed in this camp! Please bring your sleeping bag, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes and rain gear. Camp language is English. 

Leisure time

There are many possibilities for leisure time: enjoying the sea, hiking in the picturesque area of Lahemaa National Park , cultural visits, etc. Volunteers can visit different historical and cultural objects and places of interest in the area of Lahemaa National Park . Excursions to the other neighboring tourist farms, Mining Museum in East Estonia, Rakvere Castle are foreseen.

Participation fee
Volunteers are asked to contribute a modest fee of 30 Euro towards the costs of leisure activities and general administration. It has to be paid by every participant upon arrival to the camp.  

GENERAL REGULATION FOR HOSTING TEENAGERS 
IN THE CAMPS IN ESTONIA

Accommodation is usually separate for boys and girls, 5-8 people in the room. Washing in shower does not have to be provided every day, but 2-3 times a week, however in reality it can be available on request every day. The standard of accommodation and facilities are controlled by sanitary service. It has to be accepted for each camp before it starts.

 Food is normally given 3-4 times a day. There are special rules concerning food for children (amount of calories, nutrition, diversity, etc). Kitchen facilities and quality of food is regular checked by sanitary service.

Pick up service on arrival can be arranged upon request either by host families, where teenage participants stay, or by EstYES staff. In latter case we may have to charge modest contribution to cover costs of going to airport/ bus station/ terminal in the harbour.

 Each child has to present medical certificate to be accepted to the camp. In case of any decease additional information form parents is requested. If child has to take any medicine and brings it to the camp, it is kept by doctor or educator and given to child according to his needs. In case of serious illness, which cannot be treated at the camp, child is sent home. There must be a doctor in the camp available 24 hours a day. It is obligatory to have health insurance by foreign participants.

 Safety: the camp director and leaders have the responsibility for safety of children. There are certain restrictions concerning swimming, going alone from the camp, doing sport. Camp staff passes training and exams on first aid and fire situation. There is fire fighting equipment in the camp. Fire safety is checked by fire fighting authorities.

 Going out of the camp without adult is usually a matter of internal regulation of each camp and it takes into account the general situation, camp location, surrounding, etc. According to national legislation it is not allowed for teenagers to stay out after 22.00 without accompanying adults. If parents during camp visit want to take child for a walk they write voucher to the camp administration to take out the responsibility for child from administration to themselves.

 The number of leaders is counted as one per 10-12 kids. The educator is always an adult with pedagogical education. All leaders have to pass special training by Ministry of Education, make exam and get certificate, which is valid for 5 years. After this period they have to make new course and exam. There is also additional training on behalf of the camp.

 Swimming is allowed only under supervision of adults: one adult in the water, another on shore and in the groups of 7-10 people. Normally swimming should last 7-12 min depending on age of children and water temperature. For leisure time activities general discipline rules apply. The main idea is that games, exercises, etc. should not disturb or endanger other participants. Practically there should be always an adult with the group for the supervision.

  Working hours does not exceed 3-6 hours a day. Physically demanding work is not allowed. Camp organisers provide safety during work, explaining the rules and monitoring it.

 Smoking is prohibited in the camps. It is not allowed for those under 18 by Estonian law. Consuming of any alcohol is strictly prohibited in the camps. It is not allowed for those under 18 by Estonian law. Any drugs are strictly prohibited in the camps and by the Estonian law. All this is not only the question of legal responsibility of educator, but the matter of national legislation and administrative regulation, and in case of the violation of these rules the criminal or administrative responsibility may be applied to teenage participant!