Blog

A youth overnight event has taken place three times at Lilleke, with the last one held on the last Friday of May. The youth overnight event is very popular among young people, as they get to stay at the youth center for the entire night. Before the overnight stay, we divide tasks among the young people – someone plans evening activities, someone organizes dinner, and someone is responsible for breakfast. This time, the young people did it in teams. Those responsible for food planned the menu, removed or added dishes as needed, and went grocery shopping with a youth worker. Each group received a budget that they had to consider when shopping. Adhering to the budget is something that still needs work. The youth overnight event began with a big cooking session, where all young people could participate…

Ilmatsalu awoke with special excitement on May 17th – for the first time, a home café day took place, bringing a pleasant buzz, appetizing aromas, and many guests to the small town. The Ilmatsalu Youth Center also participated with its own café. Although the café opened its doors only on Saturday, preparations began much earlier. Together with the young people, we gathered ideas and planned activities. The day before the event was largely spent in the kitchen, where we prepared a diverse menu: cake pops, chocolate chip cookies and lemon cookies, savory and sweet mini pancakes, potato salad, and for drinks, cocoa, lemonade, coffee, and tea. We transformed the Youth Center's garage into a unique café. The day passed quickly and joyfully. The day passed quickly and joyfully. The diligent young people were already there before our arrival and ready to act. When...

The Tartu Youth Work Centre is organizing the traditional Day of Wisdom on September 1st and is looking for co-organizers.      As in previous years, the event will take place on September 1st in Tartu city centre, next to Kaubamaja. The event starts at 2:00 PM, and hobby education activities will continue until 7:00 PM. The evening will conclude with a concert by the main performer from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.   Tead?Fest is Tartu's city-wide back-to-school celebration, where hobby schools and clubs mark the beginning of the new academic year. The festival focuses on active engagements and workshops where young people can participate, try new things, and gain valuable experiences. Approximately 5,000 young people of various ages participate in the event each year.  Tead?Fest combines entertainment, sports, and the introduction of hobby activities, offering opportunities for engaging workshops and active pursuits…

Not long ago, a new club – Uue Mina Stuudio (New Me Studio) – opened its doors at the Anne Youth Center. Initially, it was intended only for girls, but we later realized that many topics could be of interest to everyone – for example, ways to cope with stress, various workshops, and quizzes. As a result, the number of interested participants grew. Young people discuss with enthusiasm, propose exciting ideas for future meetings, and name topics they would like to discuss. They also conduct workshops themselves, prepare snacks for participants, and decorate dishes – this develops leadership skills and encourages them to implement their ideas. We, the staff, are very happy to see your reactions, receive feedback, and move in the same direction with you. We appreciate...

Starting Monday, May 12, all young people aged 13-19 who are registered residents of Tartu will have the opportunity to apply for the Tartu Youth Work Camp 2025 groups. This summer, there will be an even wider selection of groups and employers than before, so everyone is sure to find something that suits them. This year, there are over 100 places available for young people aged 13-14, giving more young people the opportunity to join the work camp. Secondly, this year, in cooperation with the Tallinn Student Work Camp and the National Defense Regiment NGO, there will be work camp groups that focus on learning about national defense, and during which participants will also take part in the national defense camp on July 18-20. Groups focusing on national defense are marked accordingly. This summer, the work camp will feature several new, exciting, and diverse employers. For example, young people are welcome to work in cemeteries...

When hiking, it's always important to have the right equipment. This affects how successful your hike might be and how comfortable you feel while hiking. Of course, equipment can sometimes vary among hikers depending on the individual, their preferences, and hiking habits, but there are some definite things every hiker should keep in mind regarding gear. Below, young hiking enthusiast Valter has compiled a list of equipment that would definitely be good to bring on a hike. Clothing: Long trousers - wear them even in summer to protect against ticks. Dress in layers - if it's hot, you take one layer off, and if it gets cold, you put it back on. Rain poncho - should cover…

I am Sigrid, a 30-year-old social work student from Tallinn University of Applied Sciences. This spring, I completed an internship at the Tartu Youth Work Centre, where I directly experienced working with young people and saw the crucial role youth work plays in supporting the well-being of children and families. During the internship, I actively participated in both daily activities at youth centers and larger events. One of the most memorable experiences was definitely participating in the organization of a city camp – it was an exciting mix of planning, creativity, and great energy. Shared activities with young people – from face painting to disco nights. This showed how much joy and development opportunities can be offered in a safe and friendly environment. My role was not limited to just observing – I had the opportunity to lead activities myself. For example, I conducted...

There are rarely quiet moments at the Anne Youth Center. Young people gather there, some more motivated than others, but all looking for a place to try out their ideas – whether it be organizing events, participating in projects, or simply discussing life with each other. That is why it seemed like a natural step to participate in the new pilot program of the Estonian Association of Open Youth Centers, which began issuing the Entrepreneurial Youth Center quality label. What is this label? It is like a roadmap and a seal of quality in one – a tool that helps youth centers consciously shape an environment where young people can develop their entrepreneurship, self-management, and initiative. The label shows that the youth center does its work in a thoughtful, consistent manner and with an eye to the future of young people...

A month or two ago, thanks to the initiative of a new young person, we started Role-Playing Fridays in Ilmatsalu, where role-playing games (RPGs) (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)) are played. In the English-speaking world, role-playing games have captivated players for decades, offering a unique blend of storytelling, strategy, and creativity. As I had just discovered D&D myself at that time, I was very happy to embark on this new adventure in the Estonian gaming landscape as well. At first, I was apprehensive about how I would get young people to join me, as it is such a specific interest. However, the younger age group embraced the game with cheers and excitement. Now I have seen how, in addition to fun and adventures, these games offer numerous benefits that can positively impact the lives of young and old...