One of the purpose of the event was to develop, strengthen and expand global camp exchanges and Y- to -Y partnerships, strengthen international YMCA camp leadership, programs and sustainability strategies. Another purpose was to increase philanthropic support for YMCA camps around the world. For YMCA Europe that was another important step towards common standards within the program YMCA CAMPS IN EUROPE.
The Conference was perfectly prepared and implemented by the YMCA of the USA. The program included such items as panel discussions, learning workshops and outdoor activities around the camping site. There was a good choice of activities given to participants, and also for European participants were created possibilities of contribution with some relevant content.
The workshop on YMCA Europe Camp Strategy was the time of sharing YMCA Europe’s long-term vision and plans to strengthen resident camps in Europe. That was a presentation of the process of building a system of development and organization camps and training camp staff based on common standards. That was also an opportunity of sharing one of the most important activities of the plan, the "Training for Camp Instructors – Towards Common Standards" conference that took place recently in Setubal, Portugal as well as building the first campsite "Moronica" in Kosovo. The workshop included dialogue with the audience as YMCA Europe seeks feedback to the plan and looks forward to further collaboration with camps in the U.S. and around the world. The facilitation of this workshop was an interaction of the European and American leaders who are involved in YMCA Camps in Europe program.
Another important topic that appeared in various contexts during the conference was Strengthening Global Collaboration. At an interactive workshop, Strengthening Global Collaboration through YMCA World Service and discussion was explored how, as a team, to embrace YMCA World Service as a great tool for mutual benefit to teach philanthropy among youth, raise awareness and support for World Service and strengthen collaborative connection between YMCA camps in the world. As a study case was presented the "Camp Orange" in Georgia. Also an interesting example of international collaboration (Y-to-Y) was the project "Dacha" in Russia, explored in a separate panel.
After the conference many participants had opportunities of visiting different American camps. Two YMCA Europe staff members visited two YMCA Camps in Connecticut: Woodstock and Camp Frank A. Day. That was not only deeper insights into camping standards, but also the time of planning together further collaboration with people who are or will be directly involved in it.
When you approach Camp Frank A. Day you see banners that appear on the driveway from the main road to the entrance. They are the core values of the YMCA of the USA: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility. They are not placed together; you have some seconds of driving from one to another, so every value must be registered by your mind. For the parents it’s a clear message where their children go to – this is essential. And only after this a land of diverse camp facilities and activities opens widely. Although the activities as program facilities vary remarkably from a camp to camp, the core values are the same in all American YMCA Camps. This seems to show the direction in development of common standards also in Europe.
YMCA has a very good program – camps. It’s not enough to have it, however. This is an offer, and as such must be promoted – we must talk about it all the time. Building a Global Coalition will help to reach effectively various communities – the Conference in Frost Valley was a big step towards this.
