30 years of Tartu youth work camps: share your story at the anniversary exhibition

January 8, 2026

In 2026, the Tartu Youth Work Camp celebrates its 30th year of operation.
To mark this anniversary, a jubilee exhibition will open on April 17, 2026, in collaboration with the Tartu City Museum, telling the story of the Tartu Work Camp through people, memories, and objects.

Former youth work camp participants, group leaders,
coordinators, and everyone who has had a connection with the Tartu Youth Work Camp are invited to contribute to the creation of the exhibition. The aim of the exhibition is to record and highlight the role of the youth work camp in the lives of young people and in the history of the City of Tartu more broadly.

The youth work camp is more than just a summer job.

The Tartu Youth Work Camp has not merely been an opportunity to work in the summer. For many, it has been their first job and salary, a place where important
friendships have formed, and skills and experiences have been gained that have accompanied young people throughout their lives. The camp has raised generations – now we are collecting these stories and preserving them through a jubilee exhibition.

We are looking for stories and items for the exhibition.

The exhibition welcomes both personal memories and items that help to reveal different facets and eras of youth work camp life.

Examples include:

memories of youth work camp life and activities
group emblems and stories of their creation
emblems from previous years (1996–2018)
humorous, sentimental or otherwise meaningful items from the youth work camp

Items and stories with personal background or meaning are particularly valued, as they help visitors to the exhibition better understand the diversity and impact of military life.

How to contribute?

Memories and photos of items can be sent until February 6, 2026 by email
to malev.tartu@tartu.ee or by post to Uus 56, Tartu

The exhibition organizers will contact the owners of the stories and items selected for the exhibition. If desired, it is also possible to share your story in an interview format – please indicate this in your letter.

If you doubt whether your story or item is suitable for the exhibition, please contact us anyway. Every memory can be an important part of the history of Tartu Youth work camp.

Privacy and Data Retention

Submitted photos and stories are preserved in the archive of the Tartu Youth Work Centre. The Tartu Youth Work Centre and Tartu City Museum adhere to personal data protection principles, and personal data will not be disclosed upon request.

Contact

Keidi Kald
keidi.kald@tartu.ee | malev.tartu@tartu.ee
phone: +372 5598 5994
address: Uus 56, Tartu

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