2016 Estonian language camps
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Estonian language camps for youngsters of Estonian origin living in other countries

Estonian language camps are organised for young people with roots in Estonia as part of the ‘Countrymen programme 2014-2020’.

The Integration and Migration Foundation has been organising language and culture camps for Estonian youngsters living abroad for 15 years. From 2000-2003 and 2005-2007 the camps were held for children and young adults with Estonian origins living in the CSI states and Latvia and Lithuania. Since 2008 the camps have been organised for all Estonian youngsters, regardless of where they live.

Over the years the camps have been attended by youngsters from such countries as Russia, the United States, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Lithuania, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Canada, Belarus, Portugal, Mexico, Egypt, Switzerland, Belgium, Ukraine, Norway and Kazakhstan.

Local support students play an important role at the camps. Their task is to assist the attendees in practising their Estonian through everyday communication and activities. They are also there to offer company and support, as well as information about Estonia.

Each camp normally lasts for 10-11 days. During this time the organisers provide a varied programme that gets everyone involved and which enables the youngsters to learn about Estonian culture and traditions and study the language, both in lessons and as part of activities working with others, all with the help of support students. Most language learning takes place through hobbies, sports and activities – be it making art, around the campfire, while canoeing, putting on plays and concerts, in group work or as part of role play.

The Integration Foundation considers it important to organise such camps because the Estonian communities in many countries are small and there is little or no opportunity to learn the language. For a lot of children the camps represent just about their only chance to use Estonian. The camps are also important for the young people living in Estonia to understand how few Estonians there are in the world and how important it is to maintain and pass on their language and culture.

For the Integration Foundation it is important to support young people in understanding their origins and identity and to teach them to value these aspects of their lives. Knowing where you come from helps youngsters better identify themselves, as well as encouraging them to take people from other cultures into greater account and to learn from them.

Language and culture camps for young people with Estonian roots are financed by the Ministry of Education and Research and by the Ministry of Culture via the ‘Countrymen programme 2014-2020’.

Registration for the summer 2016 camps is now open here.

For further information please contact:

Marina Fanfora
Coordinator, Implementation Centre
Telephone: +372 659 9068
E-mail: marina.fanfora@meis.ee