NWS
International Volunteer/Language Camp “New Wit Skill” at Nevitsky Castle
12 volunteers + 3 campleaders 8 - 20 July 2013 near Kamyanytsya, Zakarpats’ka oblast, Ukraine
Most of us already know what a volunteer workcamp is. The concept has become widespread and loved by many. We also have a great time participating in them, but after a while they start to look kinda the same. This summer we’re aiming to take the best of it and combine with what we love: learning foreign languages. We want to take the volunteer camp format to the next level, and make it a language exchange with a result. Thus we present to you the NWS – New Wit Skill Camp, not just another workcamp. Three whales of this project:
Participant’s Profile:
*non-traditional language learning *informal exchange of skills and ideas *volunteer spirit and work
*good record in language learning *willingness to experiment and learn under pressure *have to be awesome
Camp Activities: *physical work, not more than 4 hours on workdays *non-boring language workshops *trainings on green issues and minimalism
*working on an info-product of the camp *excursions around the region *space for implementing your own ideas *there will be lots of time for sports, games, parties
Accommodation: in a tent camp directly near the castle. Water supply, basic shower, kitchen, electricity available. Participants will cook on a campfire. Visa: Ukraine is visa-free for all bordering countries and EU citizens. Only valid passport required.
Fee: 40 EUR/person, which will go towards the food = 10 EUR prepaid online and non-refundable + 30 EUR paid in person on arrival. Transport: All travel costs are covered by participants themselves, campleaders can help with travel arrangements. About the location: Nevitsky Castle (ua: Невицький замок) is located 12 km from Uzhhorod, in the village of Kamyanytsya, on picturesque hills above the Uzh river (http://bit.ly/nwscastle_map). The castle was partly destroyed in XVII and not used anymore, thus traditional medieval architecture is fully preserved. A group of enthusiasts started research and reconstruction work there, with a long-term vision to make a live medieval museum. This place is very close to the border with Slovakia, and to the south, with Hungary. The local community (primarily of village school children) is well gathered around the idea of restoration of the castle, and is used to and enjoys interacting with visiting volunteers. Language: We view this camp as an experiment in live language exchange and want to bring informal learning into not only “lesson” sessions, but also embroider it into every aspect of the camp life such as e.g. physical work or cooking. How successful will it go? Depends on your enthusiasm. The common denominator will be English, and it’s also the preparation language of the camp. Within the camp, though, we will encourage and even enforce blending and building participants’ primary languages, concentrating on the Slavic group (Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian and Polish). In this mode we see English as a “measure of a last resort” in communication. We also want to ultimately see some tangible result of this experiment as something to contribute to the world from us. This can be a report on our camp in a shape of a diary, a learner’s handbook, or even a film. Hosting Organizations: NGO “Nevitsky Castle” (ua: ГО “Невицький Замок”) Partially financed by: IREX Ukraine
READY TO APPLY? YES!
NO
apply at http://bit.ly/nwscastle until 25th of May
http://bit.ly/
contact us at nwscastle@gmail.com any time
NWS
castle@gmail.com castle
CAMPLEADERS’ PROFILES BY: ГАНКА БАРАДЗIНА
HANNA BARADZINA
Languages: Belarusian, Russian, English, Romanian, Spanish, Ukrainian Summer Camp Experience: July 2010 - “Radzivill’s Heritage” - BelAU - Niasvizh, Belarus - campleader July 2012 - “Sapieha’s Heritage” - BelAU - Ruzhany, Belarus - campleader Interests Travelling, hitchhiking, walking, teaching, reading, languages, camps Philosophy Life as a journey which never ends, vegetarian, minimalist, unbiased. Teach, Learn, Share Able to teach English, Belarusian or Russian, knitting, positive seeing of life, minimalism, creative writing. Traveled: Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Ukraine. Lived: Belarus, Romania. Wants to go: New Zealand, Serbia, South Africa, Costa Rica. UA: АНТОН ДУДКО
ANTON DUDKO
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English, Belarusian, French, Polish Summer Camp Experience: July 2010 - “Radzivill’s Heritage” - BelAU - Niasvizh, Belarus - participant July-August 2011 - “Nevicke Castle” - SVIT-Ukraine - Ukraine - campleader July 2012 - “Sapieha’s Heritage” - BelAU - Ruzhany, Belarus - campleader August 2012 - “Le relais du monde” - SCI-BE - Natoye, Belgium - participant Interests Languages and mixing them, volunteering, hitchhiking, music (playing piano and guitar), Wikipedia, culture of Belarus. Teach, Learn, Share Can teach: any language from my list, how to solve a Rubik’s cube. Wanna learn: non-standard lifestyles, life-hacking tips, creativity, guitar, the games you play (card games, board games, word games, etc.), your language. Lived: Ukraine, USA Wants to go: Antarctica, Estonia, Georgia, Mongolia, North Korea BY: МАРЫЯ РУСАК
MARIA RUSAK
Languages: Belarusian, Russian, English, Italian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Norwegian Summer Camp Experience: July 2012 - “Sapieha’s Heritage” - BelAU - Ruzhany, Belarus - participant August 2012 - “Bridge of English” - BelAU - Homel, Belarus - campleader Interests Buildings, minsk and other cities, books, art-nouveau, food, camping, languages, argentine tango, new people, typography, media, trains, hitchhiking, german philosophy and good photography. Teach, Learn, Share Any of the listed languages, yoga, tango, many many energizers, swimming, some painting. I can take you for a run and talk about things and places. Would love to hear other people stories and learn more languages. Traveled: too many to tell. Lived: Belarus, Norway, USA, Italy, Guatemala. Wants to go: Brazil, Svalbard, Balkans.