See you again in the summer of 2026!
Work takes place in groups where you develop social skills
First work experience in a supported and safe environment
4-8 hours a day, depending on age and group
Joint activities, opening of the youth work camp summer, and reunion
The aim of the Tartu Youth work camp is to offer school-aged youth in Tartu aged 13-19 the opportunity to spend their summer holidays in a developmental way.
The youth work camp offers an opportunity to gain first work experience in a supportive and safe environment. Work is carried out in groups, allowing young people to also gain teamwork experience. Furthermore, they have the chance to develop social skills, as group leaders organize joint activities after work.
The main tasks for youth work camp participants include maintenance work, assistant work in service, on farms, in event organization, and harvesting garden and field produce. Workplaces include local governments, non-profit organizations, commercial companies, sole proprietors (FIEs), and business organizations.
Workdays last 4-8 hours per day, depending on age and the employer's possibilities. Youth work camp groups last 7-21 days, depending on the group.
The Youth Summer Camp includes, in addition to participating in a camp group, the opening of the Youth Summer Camp with an inaugural event in June and the camp's gathering in August.
Applying for groups in the Tartu Youth Work Camp❗Applications for the Youth work camp started today❗ Watch the video below to see what you need to do to apply for the Tartu Youth Work Camp groups in the Spoku environment. The link to the application page is here - linnaportaal.tartu.ee 🤩See you at the youth work camp this summer 🤩
Posted by Tartu Youth Work Camp on Sunday, May 12, 2024
2.1. Young people whose place of residence according to the population register is Tartu city can register.
2.2 Young people who are at least 13 years old by the start date of the group can apply to join the camp. Young people aged 13-19 can participate in the camp.
3.1. Members of the urban group will spend the night in their own homes.
3.2. Volunteers come to work independently, at a previously agreed time and place.
3.3. Depending on the work camp group and the age of the young people, they work 4-6 hours a day.
3.4. Work is performed five days a week, according to a schedule agreed upon with the employer.
3.5. Work camp participants are provided with lunch and a program of joint activities before or after the working day.
4.1. The out-of-town group works outside the city of Tartu.*
4.2. Volunteers will stay overnight in accommodation intended for the group.
4.3. Work is performed for up to 6 hours per day.
4.4. Work is performed five days a week, according to a schedule agreed upon with the employer.
4.5. Volunteers are guaranteed at least 3 meals, accommodation, transportation, and leisure activities.
* An in-city group with overnight stay operates on the principles of an out-of-city group.
5.1. The nature and content of the work depend on the employer's needs and vary from group to group.
5.2.Job descriptions and the duration of work camps are posted on the Tartu Youth Work Center website and social media channels, and the information will be made publicin the second half of April.
5.3. The workof the work camp group is supervised by the work camp group leader and/or the employer.
5.4. Work is performed according to a schedule agreed upon with the employer.
5.5. The employer has the right to terminate the employment contract with the work camp participant in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Employment Contracts Act.
6.1. Group applications are submitted via the Tartu city portal.
6.2. Applications for the camp can be submitted in mid-May, and the application form will be open for one full week. If necessary, additional applications will be accepted. The deadlines for applying for the camp will be announced on the Tartu Youth Work Center website and social media channels in February at the latest.
6.3.Admission to the work camp group is confirmed by a letter of confirmation sent by the group leader via e-mail.The letter of confirmation is sent to the young person and their parent/guardian in the case of a minor participant, and to the participant themselves in the case of an adult participant. The confirmation letter regarding admission to the group will arrivewithin two weeks after the end of registration.
6.4Young people who did not get into the group in the first round will be added to the reserve list.Notification of being on the reserve list will be sent to the young person and their parent/guardian by email within two weeks after the end of the application period. When places become available, new names will be drawn from the reserve list and offered the opportunity to participate in the camp.
6.5. An employment contract will be signed with the camp participant before the start of the camp.
6.6. When applying, you can choose up to three group preferences.
6.7. When forming a work camp group, the following will be taken into account:
6.7.1. the number of applicants for the group. If there are more applicants than the number of work camp places guaranteed by the employer, the groups will be formed on the basis of the motivation of the young people, their group preferences, or the results of group interviews.
6.7.2. the wishes of the employer;
6.7.3. the applicant's ability to participate in the work camp for the entire duration of the work camp;
6.7.4. first-time application to the Tartu Youth Work Camp;
6.7.5. gender balance in the group.
7.1. For the urban group, the camp participation fee includes meals or snacks, joint activities after the workday, a group leader (or group leaders) trained by the camp instructor, a camp shirt, and participation in camp events.
7.2. For groups outside the city, the camp participation fee includes three meals a day and snacks, transportation from Tartu to the accommodation and back to Tartu after the camp, accommodation and group activities, group leaders trained by camp counselors, a camp T-shirt, and participation in camp events.
7.3. Information on the payment of the participation fee will be provided in the confirmation letter of admission to the group.
7.4. Payment of the camp participation fee confirms that the camper can participate in the group for the entire duration of the camp. No later exceptions will be considered!
7.5 Camp participants will receive their employment contract after paying the participation fee. It is not possible to participate in the camp group without paying the participation fee.
7.6. The participation fee will not be refunded if the participant withdraws from the work camp.
7.7. Those who wish to participate in the Estonian Student Work Camps' nationwide gathering at the end of the work camp summer must pay a participation fee, information about which will be sent to the young people who have been accepted into the group during the work camp summer.
7.8 If you decide not to participate in the work camp gathering, the participation fee will not be refunded!
8.1. Group leader's duties:
8.1.1. Responsible for the functioning of the camp group and is the primary contact person for camp participants and parents.
8.1.2. Mediates information between camp participants, employers, parents, and the organizing team, including sending information letters to camp participants upon admission to the group, sending questionnaires to young people, participating in group interviews, forwarding current information about the camp group to camp participants, etc.
8.1.3. Guides camp participants in organizing their free time with joint activities, taking into account the suggestions and recommendations of camp participants and the theme of the camp group.
8.1.4. Is responsible for the well-being and safety of camp participants during the camp.
8.1.5. Guides and assists young people in their work, including drawing up and following work schedules for camp participants.
8.1.6. Contributes to the organization of the camp meeting, guides young people during the camp meeting
8.1. Group leader's tasks:
8.1.1. Responsible for the functioning of the camp group and is the primary contact person for camp participants and parents.
8.1.2. Mediates information between camp participants, employers, parents, and the organizing team, including sending information letters to camp participants upon acceptance into the group, sending questionnaires to young people, participating in group interviews, and providing camp participants with current information about the camp group, etc.
8.1.3. Guides camp participants in organizing their free time with joint activities, taking into account the suggestions and recommendations of camp participants and the theme of the camp group.
8.1.4. Is responsible for the well-being and safety of camp participants during the camp group.
8.1.5. Guides and assists young people in their work, including drawing up and following work schedules for camp participants.
8.1.6. Contributes to the organization of the camp gathering and guides young people during the camp gathering.
8.1.7. Collects feedback from camp participants about the camp group on an ongoing basis and after the group has ended.
8.2. The group leader has at least a secondary education, has completed camp group leader training, has a valid camp counselor certificate, and has a valid first aid certificate.
9.1. All rights and obligations stipulated in the Employment Contracts Act apply to members of the work camp.
9.2. Before applying to join a group, a member of the work camp shall familiarize themselves with the principles and rules of the Tartu Youth Work Camp, the job description and conditions of the group, and the schedule of the groups, and ensure that these are suitable for them.
9.3. The volunteer shall provide the group leader with timely information about their health, special diets, allergies, etc., so that these can be taken into account. Subsequent special requests and complaints will not be considered.
9.4. Participates in an information day organized by the group leader before the start of the group, where more detailed information about the camp group's activities and organization is provided. A parent may participate in the meeting on behalf of the young person.
9.5. Respond to the group leader's instructions and comply with the rules and regulations of the camp.
9.6. Work conscientiously and take responsibility for the quality of their work.
9.7. Participates in the joint activities of the work camp group after work, including participating in the opening event and gathering of the work camp.
9.8. Attends work on all working days and arrives at the agreed location on time.
9.9. Notifies the group leader as soon as possible of any illness or other reason for not coming to work.
9.10. Provides feedback after the work camp for the further development of the work camp.
10.1. The Tartu Youth Work Center implements the Tartu Youth Work Camp, including making the necessary preparations for the summer (finding employers, accommodation and catering establishments, transport, group leaders, organizing training and events, coordinating the activities of the work camp) and is responsible for the successful operation of the work camp.
10.2 The Tartu Youth Work Center has the right to use photos and video recordings taken in Tartu Youth Work Camp groups and events on the institution's website and social media, in publications, etc.
10.3. The information requested on the application form will be processed for the purpose of forming work camp groups, concluding employment contracts with work camp participants, and contacting work camp applicants or their parents/guardians.
10.4. The prerequisite for a youth work camp group to take place is the availability of an employer(s), which is why the Tartu Youth Work Centre has the right to cancel or postpone the youth work summer camp or group(s) and applications for the camp if circumstances qualified as force majeure prevent its organization (including, but not limited to, weather-related obstacles, pandemic, emergency situation, natural disaster, strike, state of war).
Director of Tartu Youth Work Centre
TARTU YOUTH WORK CAMP HOUSE RULES
The house rules apply to all participants in the Tartu Youth Work Camp groups. Participation in a camp group is voluntary.
Tartu Youth Work Camp Staff 2025
Director of Tartu Youth Work Centre
The Youth Summer Camp has ended for this year.
See you in 2026!
If you want to offer work experience to Tartu youth,
then contact us:
malev.tartu@tartu.ee
The Tartu Youth Work Camp can provide camp participants to companies to assist with their summer work. In addition to active young people, each group has group leaders who are trained camp counselors.
Youth work camp participants are Tartu youth aged 13-19, who form groups of 10 to 20 members depending on the nature and needs of the work. Participants work in groups lasting 7-21 days, both within and outside the city.
The entrepreneur generally pays the youth work camp participants in full for the work done, and also provides work tools and ensures safety. The staff of the Tartu Youth Work Camp takes care of the participants' food, joint activities, and group leaders' salaries, and, when outside the city, also provides them with accommodation.
Find out who the Tartu Youth Work Camp group leader is, what their role entails, and what group leadership means in the camp.
Contact us!
malev.tartu@tartu.ee
by nature assertive, supportive, cheerful, decisive, proactive, and responsible.
The youth work camp participant's primary contact person. They share information about the group and related matters.
as a link between different parties (young people, employer, organizing team, and parents)
a group leader who, while in the group, ensures the well-being and safety of the youth work camp participants and fills their free time with joint activities.
with secondary education and having passed the camp counselor (or director) exam, including first aid training.
ready to participate in all major camp events (group leader training, opening ceremony, gathering).
Group leaders prepare the group (group formation, planning joint activities), manage the operation of the youth work camp group (conducting joint activities, supporting and guiding young people, documentation, etc.), and participate in events throughout the youth work camp summer. One group is led by 1-3 group leaders.
you are at least 18 years old; have at least a secondary education; you enjoy working with young people and you are ready to be a leader and role model for them.
It is especially useful if you have also been a youth work camp participant yourself and know what an awesome youth work camp summer could be like. 
As a group leader, you should be aware of:
with trainings; leading a group for 7-21 days in the summer and participating in the opening and gathering of the youth work camp; with a valuable experience and a decent salary.
To apply, send your CV and a short opinion piece on a youth work camp-related topic important to you to the email address malev.tartu@tartu.ee.To apply, send your CV and a short opinion piece on a youth work camp-related topic important to you:
The aim of the Tartu Youth work camp is to offer school-aged youth in Tartu aged 13-19 the opportunity to spend their summer holidays in a developmental way.
The youth work camp offers an opportunity to gain first work experience in a supportive and safe environment. Work is carried out in groups, allowing young people to also gain teamwork experience. Furthermore, they have the chance to develop social skills, as group leaders organize joint activities after work.
The main tasks for youth work camp participants include maintenance work, assistant work in service, on farms, in event organization, and harvesting garden and field produce. Workplaces include local governments, non-profit organizations, commercial companies, sole proprietors (FIEs), and business organizations.
Workdays last 4-8 hours per day, depending on age and the employer's possibilities. Youth work camp groups last 7-21 days, depending on the group.
The Youth Summer Camp includes, in addition to participating in a camp group, the opening of the Youth Summer Camp with an inaugural event in June and the camp's gathering in August.
Young people who participated in the program last year
Organized a camp or outing
Project or training conducted
When applying, you may be younger than the age required for the youth work camp group, but by the first day of the youth work camp group, you must already be of the specified age.
For example: If your birthday is during or after the youth work camp group period, you can only apply for groups for 13-14 year olds. If your birthday is immediately after applying and before the group takes place, you can also apply for a youth work camp group intended for 15-year-olds.
To apply for the Tartu Youth Work Camp, you must be registered as a resident of Tartu city, which is automatically checked on the application form. Almost every local government organizes youth work camps for its young people.
A youth work camp is not an employment service, but rather one of the methods of youth work. Essentially, it is a work-educational summer camp where the development of young people's social and individual skills through joint activities is as important as the work itself. The primary goal of a youth work camp is not to earn money, but to generally support the development of young people.
A youth work camp group forms a cohesive team, with whom participants engage in summer activities and events, and go to work. Participation in joint activities is mandatory.
The youth work camp is a work-educational summer camp. Its aim is not to earn money, but rather to foster the individual and social development of young people. In addition to working, participants take part in various events and activities. The participation fee covers only a small portion of the camp's expenses. For example, the fee includes: catering, joint activities, transport and accommodation for groups outside the city, a youth work camp T-shirt, remuneration for a qualified group leader, training, and in some groups, a health certificate for the participant, etc.
The lengths and content of the youth work camp groups vary, ranging from seven days to three weeks. Work schedules and days off also differ by group, and you will receive more detailed information about your group's schedule from your group leader once you join the group. Days off from work and non-working hours are filled with joint activities, so participants must account for all camp days and take part in them throughout the youth work camp.
How many groups can you apply for?
A youth work camp participant can apply for up to three different groups that are suitable for their age.
The application can be submitted from both a parent's and a child's account. However, the application is not registered until the parent has confirmed it! A confirmation email will be sent to the parent's email address. The application must be confirmed before the end of the application period.
The youth work camp participant must sign their own employment contract; a parent is not permitted to do so! The employment contract must be signed digitally.
All youngsters accepted into the youth work camp group will be contacted and sent a confirmation email regarding their acceptance. All youngsters remaining on the waiting list will also be contacted via email to inform them of their status.
After the application period ends, the process of forming the teams will begin immediately. This will take 1-2 weeks. All applicants will be contacted by email!
The formation of youth work camp groups takes 1-2 weeks, and if you have not received a notification about the camp after this time, please contact the youth work camp staff. You can find the contact details on the Tartu Youth Work Camp website.
NO – When applying to the Tartu Youth Work Camp, it does not matter whether you apply first or last. All applications received during the application week are equal. It is important to write a good motivation letter and show why you should be accepted into the camp. In groups where there are many applicants, group formation takes place by drawing lots.
The youth work camp participant's point of contact is the group leader, with whom the participant can discuss their worries and joys. In cooperation with the group leader, any situation can be analyzed, and a suitable solution found for everyone.
In the city-based group, participants work 4 or 6 hours a day, depending on their age, followed by an afternoon youth work camp program led by the group leader. Participants sleep at their own homes and travel to work independently.
In the out-of-city group, participants travel with the youth work camp group for 2-3 weeks outside of Tartu to live and work in a different environment during that period. During the out-of-city group, participants do not return home – the youth work camp provides accommodation, transport, catering, and adult group leaders.
A prerequisite for joining a youth work camp group is participation on all camp days. Since there are many applicants for youth work camp groups, priority is given to those who can participate on all camp days. As employment contracts are concluded with the participants, the terms and conditions of the contract must also be observed.
When working in the youth work camp, the young person has signed an employment contract that also specifies their working hours. Therefore, it is not permitted to independently end a youth work camp group's workday earlier.
For all young people admitted to the group, the youth work camp group leader will send an information letter containing all the necessary information for participating in that specific youth work camp group.
Contact your group leader, and they will give you further instructions.
Contact details
Leverage agile frameworks to provide a robust synopsis for high level overviews. Iterative approaches to corporate strategy data foster to collaborative thinking.
Leverage agile frameworks to provide a robust synopsis for high level overviews. Iterative approaches to corporate strategy data foster to collaborative thinking.