“Wilderness Knowledge” in Slovenia
The main aim of this training was:
Through experience in nature, empower youth workers to take youngsters into nature safely and provide participants with ideas for activities appropriate for youngsters of different ages and experiences.
It was an outdoor training course in the frame of ERASMUS + programme funded by EU, implemented in IDRIJA, Slovenia. Participants engaged in workshops covering basic nature skills (benefits of nature, first aid, equipment, rules, orienteering), as well as sessions on mindfulness, cooking, camping, and creating their own programs in nature.
Our participants describe their experience:
My name is Dimitris Parasis and I was a Greek participant in the training course Wilderness Knowleldge E+ Training. I am personally grateful that I was selected for it because I think that It was really beneficial for me. The project’s facilitators taught us both practical and social skills and they were truly caring about everyone’s well-being through the whole program.
When we first arrived to Idrija I was glad to meet so many different people from such different cultures. From the very first day I learned how to build a tent by myself even though I had no previous knowledge. After that we practiced a whole bunch of skills, I managed to practice some video editing skills. We learned how to navigate through the forest with the help of a map and a compass which was really impressive to me due to my lack of orientation.
Chopping wood with an axe was another useful activity I practiced with success there along with gathering sticks for a campfire and also making one. In the campfire I had the opportunity to improve my already existing passion for cooking. Last but not least, I was taught about herb foraging through the forest and star observation which were the most difficult ones and I can’t say that I would be able to manage alone yet.
Except from all that I personally felt truly comfortable during the program thanks to everyone in the program. I strongly believe that this course brought out a better version of myself I felt vulnerable to discuss about more sensitive topics but with no sign of discomfort. The environment that we were living 7 days in Idrija really made it difficult to leave that place.
Dimitris Parasis
The “Wilderness Knowledge” project was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my life. It’s hard to imagine how it could be improved because, in my eyes, it was already perfect. The supervisor was incredibly welcoming and created an open and supportive environment that made us feel comfortable right from the start. Over the course of the program, we learned an incredible amount, from essential skills like building tents and making fires to more advanced activities like climbing and survival techniques. When an unexpected storm hit, it turned into a valuable learning opportunity, teaching us how to handle emergencies and the critical survival skills needed to stay safe during outdoor camping.
But let’s delve deeper into this amazing project.
Wilderness Knowledge: Outdoor Education took place in August 2024, from the 17th to the 24th, in the charming Slovenian town of Idrija. The project was organised by MCI and brought together participants from eight different countries—Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia—creating a diverse and enriching environment.
After our arrival, we had some free time to rest and start getting to know each other. Icebreaker games helped us bond quickly, and a unique activity involving identifying different tea flavours led us to find our peer groups. We then embarked on a climb to Pšenk, following an intriguing map that guided us to a cottage by a stream. There, we found a big fireplace and the spot where we would set up our tents for the night.
Each day was packed with exciting activities and workshops. We hiked to the summit of Hleviše, participated in CPR lessons, and learned how to assist injured people in the wild. The program also covered essential outdoor camping safety, project planning, fire-making, and wood-chopping skills. We even delved into foraging by learning about edible plants and spent a night stargazing, where we used a telescope to observe the Moon and Saturn. Furthermore we had a workshop where we were using CupCut to make videos , which was awesome and the videos turned out so great!
You can gladly watch them : https://rb.gy/ow2yq2
Beyond the practical skills, the program offered cultural enrichment. Each country presented something unique from their culture during a special night, culminating in a fun-filled Slovenian night with games that helped us learn more about Slovenia and its traditions.
In addition, this project taught us so much about respecting nature, the value of friendships, and the strength of the bonds we created. The skills I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve had have truly changed my mindset, and I’m incredibly glad I participated. I wouldn’t change a thing and all that because of some people that have the passion and the courage to be productive and create something so beautiful.
Thank you
~ Dionysia Nikolakopoulou
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