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  Young people from Tartu city and rural municipality, group leaders, and youth work camp organizers met this week at the Tartumaa youth work camp gathering to reflect on their experiences, exchange knowledge, and compete in various sports. The gathering is a traditional event, with nearly 80 participants this year. Groups presented their symbols, flags, and emblems, original youth work camp songs, and group videos, which were judged by a jury. In addition, they competed in volleyball, tug-of-war, relay race, and archery. The overall winner of all disciplines was the Hummuli group, which will represent the city of Tartu at the national youth work camp gathering. According to Grete Sarap, director of the Tartu Youth Work Center, this year's youth work camp season required more attention than before to the safety and health behavior of young people. Camp participants with symptoms of illness, as well as those who had been in contact with a virus carrier, had to stay away from the event…

From July 24-26, the Ilmatsalu Youth Centre once again took young people to the forest for nature survival training days. The location was also an old acquaintance – Simisalu Nature House and Kollassaare. The trainer was also our old friend Erki Vaikre from Estlander MTÜ. One might think that the training content was the same as previous times. Yes, it was, but with the exception that everything discussed during the training days was also translated into sign language. We had a wonderful opportunity to organize joint survival training days with the Estonian Deaf Youth Organization (EKNO). We started planning quite early, when a state of emergency was still in effect in Estonia. As there were still difficulties with accommodation and restrictions applied to accessing RMK forest cabins,…

This year has particularly highlighted the necessity and potential of smart youth work in reaching and supporting young people. In connection with this, we created a YouTube channel at the beginning of the year, where we post monthly videos about our activities and topics relevant to young people. So far, videos from the TNTK account have been viewed 1376 times, and we have gained 23 followers in a short period. New videos are available on our channel monthly. To be the first to receive notifications about new videos, follow our channel. Video topics vary according to our activities; for example, you can find both tip and campaign videos there. Be sure to check out our channel and feel free to let us know in the comments what kind of videos you'd like to see on our channel...

On July 15, a football match, hopefully becoming a tradition, took place at Mart Reinik Stadium between youth and youth workers. The youth workers kicked off the ball on the field, and a fairly even game began. That was the initial impression. However, the youth quickly scored the first goal, and the first half ended 3:1 in favor of the youth. By the end of the first half, it was noticeable that the youth workers were 'running out of steam' and tired, and this was even more apparent in the second half. The final score of the game was 5:1 in favor of the youth. The awards ceremony took place at Lille Youth Center, where the winners received medals and a cup. The youth team played with the following lineup: Liisa Veddel, Kätliin Maddi, Matheo Nuga, Rasmus Antsi, Ragnar Antsi, Marti…

Tartu Youth Day was a little different this year! From August 1st to 12th, a youth orienteering event took place! The focus of Youth Day was physical health, and therefore, we invited all young people to participate in the orienteering course starting on August 1st, which could be completed until August 12th (until 4:00 PM). The course was linked to various alternative opportunities and youth in Tartu, where a small task had to be completed at each point! The entire orienteering event took place on the Navicup app. On August 12th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Lille youth center and its outdoor area transformed into a true alternative youth zone, offering opportunities to challenge oneself both physically and mentally. There were activities for those seeking calmer experiences (such as acroyoga) as well as for those looking for more extreme thrills. Delicious bites were offered by the event's…

The Tartu Youth Work Center is looking for three European Solidarity Corps volunteers for the project "3 for Enriching the Community". Service period: 24.08.2020-20.08.2021 (12 months) Location: Tartu, Estonia Volunteers: 3 Tasks: working in the youth center and organizing major events for young people Accommodation: volunteers live in a shared apartment; travel, food, and pocket money are provided. For application or additional information, contact: mariliis.maremae@raad.tartu.ee Inglise keeles: Tartu Noorsootöö Keskus (Tartu Youth Work Center) is looking for 3 ESC volunteers for upcoming project „3 for Enriching the Community“ Service dates: 24.08.2020-20.08.2021 (12 months) Location: Tartu, Estonia Number of volunteers: 3 Tasks: working in youth center daily and organizing youth festivals in Tartu Accommodation:...

Science popularizer Kolm Põrsakest and Tartu Youth Work Center are jointly organizing an inspiring program for young people this autumn called 'Future Innovators'. The program aims to boost young people's courage to experiment, curiosity, ambition, and scientific grounding. Additionally, the program supports the integration of young people with and without special needs. Põrsakesed believe that these are the values necessary for creating innovation and new knowledge. The program seeks to emphasize that anyone can become an innovator if they demonstrate sufficient persistent effort. However, since people are diverse, the challenges that need to be overcome are also varied. The program's activities support the values required for innovation and raise awareness about different special needs. 'The activities involve individuals with very diverse backgrounds, abilities, knowledge, and skills...'

Traditionally, the Tartu Youth Work Camp was opened this year with a parade and a bang. All the festivities began in the courtyard of Anne Youth Center, where groups got acquainted with each other and the Youth Work Camp Tree was planted. From there, the youth work camp participants marched to Tartu city center, to Autovabaduse puiestee, where they were greeted by Tartu Mayor Urmas Klaas, who offered both motivational and admonishing words. Of course, the youth work camp oath was also read, and the traditional Youth Work Camp song "Maasika klaarikat" was sung. The opening concluded with Kolm Põrsakest (Three Little Pigs), who, in the form of a science theater, delivered three opening "bangs" for the Youth Work Camp opening! We hope that, similar to the opening, the Youth Work Camp summer will be fun, vibrant, and active! Planting and watering the Youth Work Camp tree Greetings and introductory games…

Tartu Youth Work Center moves its activities to Car-Free Avenue! In addition to their daily activity locations at Anne, Ilmatsalu, and Lille youth centers, Tartu Youth Work Center's youth workers will also be present in Tartu city center with an outdoor youth center from early July to August. We are available for young people every day from 15:00 to 19:00, and during this time, young people can participate in diverse developmental activities. All days are structured to include both more active and calmer activities and trainings. Several different partners are involved to ensure that every young person finds exactly what they need. However, the main partners are the young people themselves, who have the opportunity throughout this time (and actually also…