PROJECT “Healthy and Smart Youth” EDUCATIONAL EVENT-CAMP
The last two educational camps of the project “Healthy and Smart Youth” took place. From the second quarter of 2021 the European Economic Area financing mechanism project “Healthy and Smart Youth” (LT03-1-SAM-K01-010) is being implemented to reduce and prevent health inequalities of youth in Kaisiadorys, Rokiskis and Panevezys districts. The project will implement 8 JPSPP delivery algorithms that will enable mechanisms for the provision of services to youth in the fields of mental health, nutrition, reproductive health and prevention of external causes of death, and will ensure the appropriate, high-quality and timely provision of these services to youth. At least 1,800 young people will be involved in the project.
The camps took place in the rural tourism homestead “Esina” – on the shore of lake Rubikiai, on May 27-29, and on June 10-12. Youth form Kaisiadorys, Rokiskis and Panevezys district municipalities gathered to the camps (10 young people from each municipality). Various health promotion activities related to the project’s 8 algorithms were organized for a large number of children throughout the day.
The opening of the camp began with introductory games that allowed children to get to know each other better and bring the campers together from the very first minutes of the camp. After the introductory games, the participants of the first shift were greeted by lecturer Marius Seveliovas, a nutrition (keto) specialist, who spoke about “Psychological and Emotional Eating and How to Avoid It”. Lecturer Gintare Kubiliene spoke about nutrition for the children of the second shift. She presented the impact of a healthy diet on well-being, prevention of overweight, eating disorders and obesity. In the evening part of the camp children gathered for funny relays to try their hand at performing different physical activity tasks.
Morning of the camp began with a light run on the forest tracks and morning exercise. On the second day, the children of the first shift practically tried “Production of Healthy Snacks” with nutritionist Rima Novikeviciute. The children of the second shift had the opportunity to meet the lecturer Gintare Razuleviciute, who talked to the children about “Positive Socialization”. Lecturer Algimantas Andrijauskas gave a lecture “Me and My Body” to both shifts. After a little rest, the children gathered for brain battle “Heroes of Health” which touched on the topics of prevention of sexually infections and unplanned pregnancies, the prevention of psychoactive substances and alcohol use, and the prevention of eating and health disorders related to overweight and obesity. Slightly tired but happy and with sincere smiles on their faces, the participants gathered to stay together again. They played various games, sang the camp anthem, danced a joint dance, etc. Despite being from different Lithuanian cities, towns and villages, the campers were wearing attributes of the project “Healthy and Smart Youth” – T-shirts, hats and sweaters. Children were also awarded prizes established by the public health bureaus of Kaisiadorys, Rokiskis and Panevezys district municipalities. It is gratifying that each of the participants was able to get to know not only themselves but also those around them and to gain knowledge, experience and discover new acquaintances.
The third and last day of the camp for the children of both shifts started with Nordic walking activity. Children were introduced to the importance of Nordic walking for their body and mental health. In the practical part, the campers tried marching with Nordic walking sticks and various games after doing muscle warm-up exercises. As soon as they rested after physical activity and breakfast, the campers gathered for the last seminar of the camp which was led by lecturer Kristina Bobreviciute. The topic of the seminar is creation and strengthening a connection with your inner self, definition of the boundaries of yourself and those around you. Art therapy.
According to participants of both camps, these three days passed too quickly. New friends, new experiences, forgotten knowledge and activities were remembered and acquired anew. Violeta Kriksciuniene, Ieva Kalvinskaite and Karolis Klovas accompanied the children to the camp and contributed to the organizational activities of the camp.
Information of Kaisiadorys District Municipality Public Health Bureau
