Preparations for Apače
From 8 May to 12 May, as part of the Let's CAMOLE project, participating schools were to move to Apače in Slovenia. The final exchange meeting of the project was to take place at the Osnovna sola in vrtec Apace. The preparations for the exchange had already begun directly after the meeting in Herborn, Germany. The most of the planning was undertaken and carried out with great commitment by the host school. Of course, there were also preparatory video conferences in which the project coordinators met and were involved in the planning.
Thematically, the exchange in Apache was held under the motto "Healthy Learning Environment". The questions about a healthy, student-friendly diet were just as much a focus as aspects of exercise and their integration into lessons and everyday school life. As health education is implemented in different ways in each participating country, the meeting also included "learning from each other".
Before the meeting in Apače, the groups of participants had to do a “homework” to support the work in Slovenia. The students completed a survey about "Healthy Learning Environments", and on a digital bulletin board they thought about what measures could be taken to promote health and well-being in schools. The teachers prepared presentations on "Best Practices" for creating a healthy learning environment in their schools.
In order for the exchange to start smoothly, numerous other preparations had to be made. The program had to be created, the arrival and accommodation of the guests had to be planned, and since the young people were to live with host families, such families also had to be found. The Slovenian coordinator Renata Jakic did an excellent job of managing many planning tasks, so that all participants could have a very enjoyable and educational time in Apače.
On Monday, 8 May, all participants arrived in Slovenia. Some groups flew by plane to Vienna, and from there with Shuttle-Service to Apache. The Hungarian and German participants came directly in minibuses.
The Exchange
Three teachers took part in the Osnovna sola exchange at vrtec Apače in Slovenia, along with three young people from each of the partner countries: Lithuania, Hungary, Greece, Germany and Portugal.
The thematic content of these days was very useful and instructive for the young people and the teachers who travelled with them. The interesting and varied supporting program, the numerous excursions and the warm hospitality of the Slovenian hosts also contributed to the fact that the exchange was a great experience for everyone.
It was a very harmonious time in which friendships were formed, and everyone could learn a lot about the project topic, Slovenia and Europe.
Day 1: Tuesday, the 9th of May
On Tuesday morning, all groups met in front of the Osnovna sola in vrtec Apace. The meeting was very warm, after all, most of the teachers knew each other from the previous ones and many students already knew their partners from previous trips and video meetings. Small gifts and souvenirs were exchanged, and the participants had time to talk. It was not difficult for the new members to make their first contacts in a friendly atmosphere, and they were welcomed into the “CAMOLE TEAM” with open arms.
The design of the entrance area of the school also contributed to a good atmosphere. Whether it was welcome signs in the project languages, presentations of countries and flags, or a self-made photo box, everyone immediately got the mood of Erasmus.
The official program opening took place in the festively decorated school gym. The principal Violeta Kardinar and the project coordinator Renata Jakic warmly welcomed the exchange groups and gave an overview of the program. Very engaging musical contributions and the performance of a Slovenian folk dance brought Slovenian culture closer and created the mood for the week.
After the official welcome, it was time to get to know each other better. The hosts had prepared different games for this. For example, you had to interview another participant or find people with the same interests in another game. The “Icebreakers” were played with great joy by everyone. One could also learn a lot about the history, culture and geography of Slovenia. In different groups, the participants had to solve tasks about the country and the region around Apache.
After a typical Slovenian breakfast, a school tour was on the agenda. Being divided into different groups, the participants were shown the partner school, and they were able to get a first impression of the school organization and lessons in Slovenia. It became clear that Osnovna sola is of great importance for young people and children who have a healthy learning environment and feel comfortable at their school. The colourful and creative design of the corridors showed that the well-being of children is also of great importance. During the tour, the teachers exchanged what ideas from Slovenia they would like to implement at home, in their schools in the future.
The next item on the agenda was focused on teaching. The students accompanied their hosts to the lessons. Depending on their interests, the teachers were assigned to different subjects and watched the lessons of their Slovenian colleagues. There was something new to experience for everyone. The young people experienced everyday teaching in another country, and teachers gained insights into the working methods and school organization in Slovenia. After taking part in the lessons, there was a lively exchange, also with regard to the project motto and the way in which health promotion was integrated into the lessons.
The first day of school ended with a very good lunch in the school canteen, and everyone was looking forward to the afternoon program.
The coach took the participants from the school to Murska Sobota. The group reached Lake Sobosko in bright sunshine. Two very interesting activities took place there. On the one hand, there is a climbing and adventure centre for young people right on the lake, on the other hand, there is the Expano Museum, a former Expo pavilion, where one can experience and discover the Pomurje region.
The school groups found more than 35 kinds of equipment in the climbing and adventure centre. There was something for every taste, and everyone could try to do exercises according to their personal ability. Whether on the bouldering wall, various courses or rope climbing - fun was guaranteed. With regard to the motto of the exchange, it was important that young people learn how much fun it can be to play sports together in a group.
In the Expano Museum, everyone was able to get to know the region of the host school better. Numerous exhibits and animated display boards gave an overview of the history and culture of Slovenia. The eventful history of Slovenia from prehistoric times to the present day was presented in a 3D cinema, and in a virtual hot-air balloon one could impressively fly over Slovenia via virtual reality. All the exhibits also showed the diverse nature of Slovenia and how important the protection of biodiversity is. One could explore a forest landscape or admire the diversity of Slovenia's rivers and lakes in an aquarium. The experiments that could be done in the museum were also particularly interesting. In the Neurotherme, for example, you could move columns of water with the power of one’s own thoughts.
In the evening, the exchange group returned back to school. Everyone agreed that it was a very nice day. Full of anticipation for the coming day, the young people said goodbye to their teachers and returned to their host families.
Day 2: Wednesday, the 10th of May
On the second day of the exchange, all groups met in front of the municipal administration in Apače. The mayor, Dr. Steyer had invited the participants of the project. He was already known to many of them because he had already been involved in the first "online meeting" in 2020. In his presentation, Dr. Steyer spoke about health education and outlined ideas for cooperation between a school and a community. There was a very warm welcome at Town Hall. In addition to a lot of information about Apače and the exchange of opportunities and possibilities of health education, there were also some regional snacks that sweetened the start of the day.
From the town hall, all participants went directly to school. In addition to lessons, physical activities were on the schedule for the pupils that morning. Pingi Dance School, invited on that day, offered several dance workshops for the guest students and their partners. Well-trained dance teachers taught the young people different dances and encouraged them to move. Some teachers also took part in the workshops and enthusiastically danced together. Keeping in mind the project motto, there were short breaks during which the dancers had healthy snacks and drinks. The presentation of the dances in the school gym showed that the workshop was worthwhile. Everyone admired the performances of the professionals, and the dancers were honoured with great applause.
The teachers also worked on the project topic that morning. "Best practice" examples of "healthy learning spaces" and health education in their own schools were presented and ideas were exchanged. There were very good discussions. The main focus of the exchange, the creation of healthy learning spaces, was discussed in depth, and considerations were made as to how the new experiences could now be implemented at home in their own schools.
After a very tasty and healthy lunch in the school canteen, there was a bus trip to the small town of Gornja Radgona. This little town, which is worth seeing near the Austrian border, is known for its castle, numerous historic buildings and a beautifully landscaped park with fountains and a great range of flowers.
Gornja Radgona was explored in an exciting treasure hunt in small international groups. At all stations, there were different tasks to be completed, which involved all group members, so teamwork was on the agenda. During the treasure hunt, one could see a lot of historical and scenic places. The team members also got to know each other better through the intensive cooperation and had a lot of fun together. At the end of the treasure hunt, there was still time for an ice cream together or a cool refreshment. After the award ceremony, the participants came back to school in the late afternoon. There the program ended, and the young people spent some nice hours with their host families. In the evening, the host families also came up with many interesting activities.
Day 3: Thursday, the 11th of May
On Thursday, all participants met early at school in Apace. The coach drove to Ljubljana. Ljubljana is the capital and also the largest city in Slovenia. With its historic old town and many interesting houses and bridges, it lies directly on the Ljubljanica River.
Upon arrival, everyone gathered right in front of the historic government building. From here the exciting city rally started, which led the international groups to all the historic buildings. The tasks of the city rally also made it possible to get to know the historical places better and learn a lot about Slovenian culture and history. For example, the city rally led over the well-known Dragon Bridge, along Ljubljana Castle and to Preseren Square with the Franciscan Church, which is worth seeing. It was possible to admire and cross three bridges designed by the world-famous architect Joze Plečnik.
After a good lunch with regional dishes, the participants went to the House of Illusions. In this adventure museum, one can experience a lot and test the limits of one’s own perception. Whether optical illusions and holograms, breathtaking installations and antigravity rooms or a tunnel that put the sense of balance to a hard test - it was a fascinating experience for the young people and the teachers.
After the visit to the museum, there was still some time to get to know Ljubljana on one’s own or to buy a few travel souvenirs. On the way home to Apače, everyone was in a good mood, and the students started singing a song or two together. Everyone admired the beautiful mountain landscape of Oberkrains. In the evening, a cheerful group reached Apače.
Day 4: Friday, the 12th of May
The last morning of the exchange was all about the motto "healthy school". The international exchange groups met early at school in Apače.
The first item on the program was about a healthy diet. In various workshops, the young people were to learn about healthy foods and then prepare different dishes together. They set to work in small international groups. Recipes were read, and suitable ingredients were selected. The participants were invited to the school kitchen. The young chefs had a lot of fun at work and the delicious results spoke for themselves. At breakfast, everyone agreed that healthy eating can be very tasty, and cooking is great fun.
After the self-prepared breakfast, the program continued creatively. The country teams cut the letters of the name of the project "Let's CAMOLE" out of wood and painted them. The impressions made during the week and the most beautiful experiences were also presented on the letters. The young people had a lot of fun with this item of the program, and the results were very creative and attractive.
In a friendly and warm atmosphere, the works of art were presented by the students. Many beautiful experiences of the week were recalled, and it became clear that the time in Slovenia was very impressive for the young people, and that they will remember a lot of positive impressions and experiences.
The teachers also had to evaluate the days in Apače. Together they exchanged views on the schedule and the content of the week. Since it was the last exchange meeting in the project, a look at the entire course was also taken. In the teachers' group, everyone agreed that the work of the past three years was very worthwhile, and that the project, despite all the difficulties caused by Covid, was very useful and important for all participating students, the schools and for the work of the teachers. Lasting friendships had been developed, and everyone, involved in the program, was certain that the cooperation between the participating schools would not end after the project.
After the last lunch in the canteen, the groups went to the host families. Since a big farewell event was planned, they met again in the late afternoon in the festively decorated gym of Osnovna sola.
The farewell event took place in front of a large audience. All the host parents, the mayor of the Apache community and the staff of the host school had come. Even the Slovenian Erasmus agency sent a delegation to celebrate the completion of the project.
The school orchestra opened the event festively, and the school choir also sang a touching song. A very well edited video contribution reviewed the three years of the project and many beautiful moments and shared experiences, from the first video conference to the present day in Slovenia. The subsequent words of the director Violetta Cardinar and the project coordinator Renata Jakic made it clear to everyone that "Let's CAMOLE" was much more than a usual project for the participants, and that it was very touching. Be it the numerous families involved in the project, the many students, the school communities and also the exchange locations. So many people have contributed to the project, made friends, learned, and experienced for themselves how positive and profitable a borderless Europe is.
After further musical contributions, the final certificates were handed over. All country groups met on the stage and received the certificates and a small parting gift. There were very moving moments and one or two tears were in eyes. At the end, everyone sang the song “We are the world” together, arm in arm. Then the groups officially split up. The project "Let's CAMOLE" was over.
