Between 17-22 August 2024, the YMCA Romania Federation in partnership with YMCA Ukraine, YMCA Moldova (Republic of Moldova) and the Romanian National Red Cross Society Maramureș Branch are organizing the third edition of  Camp HarmonY 3.0  in Maramureș county, Romania.

The camp is addressed to young teenagers from Romania, Ukraine (both those temporarily settled in Maramureș County and those living in Ukraine), Moldova, and its  program contains specific non-formal education activities, which harmoniously support the development of young people and youth workers in terms of their physical, spiritual and mental health. We aim to provide the 50 participants (young people and youth workers, leaders) with an exciting educational experience through a variety of activities. The campers will create together with the youth workers and camp counselors a set of rules that will promote social inclusion and meet the individual needs of each participant. The aim is to create a safe and stimulating environment enabling their development during the camp. Participants will be introduced to the values of the organization through various activities that encourage caring, respect, honesty, responsibility, trust and diversity. These activities will promote cultural understanding and support group cohesion, and there will also be an intercultural evening where each country will present aspects of its own culture.

Particular emphasis will be placed on creating a close-knit community through team-building and collaboration activities. Sport will also play an important role, promoting physical health and team spirit. Outdoor activities will aim to strengthen group cohesion, participation in decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, conflict resolution, overcoming personal obstacles by stretching personal comfort zone boundaries and managing personal resources and goals.

In parallel to the physical activities, we will also focus on mental health, offering creative workshops and various group discussions, as well as activities designed to promote a sustainable planet and a healthy lifestyle. Throughout the camp, we will also organize a special day inspired by the Olympic spirit, complemented by storytelling around the campfire, to provide moments of joy, adventure and connection among participants.

Camp HarmonY stands for peace, well-being, safety, resilience, resilience, joy, togetherness with others and with nature, balance. When we live in harmony, we can speak of sustained development and sustainability, and children, young people and the whole community thrive. We chose this name HarmonY because it is an important word for us and symbolizes peace and understanding with others. ‘Harmony’ in Greek, and also in Romanian, means – a quality, endowment, natural disposition that makes someone or something worthy of admiration.

This initiative started in 2022 takes into account the 3 partner organizations – YMCA Romania – YMCA Ukraine – YMCA Moldova that since the beginning of the war have provided frontline humanitarian services, and now continue to provide integration services for the refugees temporarily settled in MM County, in the Republic of Moldova and for IDPs in Ukraine .This is how Camp HarmonY was born in 2022, and in 2023 the project was much improved in terms of methodology and involvement – attracting a new valuable partner in terms of ensuring the quality standards of a camp – the Romanian National Red Cross Society Maramureș Branch – and the fact that we had together young people from Maramures county (Romanians and Ukrainian refugees), young people from Ukraine (from all parts of the country) and young people from the Republic of Moldova supported the development of a real framework of inclusion, connection, wellbeing – mind, body, spirit – carrying out team activities on topical themes – climate change, cultural sensitivity, combating hate speech, peace, human dignity, made the project very relevant for all parties involved and received national recognition at the National Volunteering Gala organized by the Ministry of Family Youth and Equal Opportunities.

Camp HarmonY 3.0 aims to stimulate youth participation in the life of the society through involvement in qualitative and safe camp program, empowering young people to develop in body mind spirit, develop leadership skills and community involvement, and increasing the administrative capacity of youth organizations to implement such transformational community programs.

The camp will be attended by Bobby Thomas – Director at YMCA Camp Cullen- Texas USA and Margaret Aylmer – Day Camp Director at YMCA Camp Duncan, Illinois- USA day, who will bring the spirit and camp culture from overseas, thus giving participants a consolidated experience.

The project is realized with the financial support of Maramureș County Council and YMCA Camp Europe Initiative.