YMCA Europe invites all interested YMCA organisations to apply for Camp Capacity Building Conference “Campacity”, to be implemented within the framework of “Camp Europe” project.

The detailed description of the Conference and the application form are provided below:

YMCA Camp Europe “Campacity” Conference is a joint initiative of YMCA Europe & the YMCA of the USA, hosted by CVJM Germany that aims to:

• Capacitate YMCA Camp Europe with human resources able to offer relevant and innovation-led ideas on forms and contents of camp programmes, whereby they are focused on trauma-healing or mental health, life-skills or resilience development, refugee rehabilitation or integration, conflict management and transformation, etc.
• Build capacity for the YMCA Camping Movement to work with war affected young people and families in Europe – with a focus on, but not exclusively limited to Ukrainian IDPs (Internally Displaced Person) and refugees.
• Bring together camp professionals to discuss, share and collaborate on topics related to camps, camping, outdoor education and adventure-based learning- with a focus on exchange of knowledge, professional development and regional and global networking.

Bringing together up to 80 leaders from the U.S. and European YMCAs, the conference attendees will:

• Provide a safe space to share practice and experience for those YMCAs working with refugees or youth affected by conflict.
• Strengthen their capacity as camp programme leaders to deliver relevant and innovative programs focused on trauma-healing, development of life skills, conflict management & refugee integration;
• Gain practical tools, skills and resources for camp management;
• Become a catalyst for deeper strategic cooperation within camping program in Europe;
• Build a network of camp peers between Europe and the United States.

PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS

The Conference is organised for participants who are/have:

• Representing the YMCA organisations/institutions that currently provide services or intend to do so for beneficiaries affected by the conflicts in Europe and beyond, the war in Ukraine especially considered.
• Representing the YMCA organisations/institutions that currently provide camping services (day or overnight) or intend to do so in the near future.
• Camp staff that are primarily affected by the conflicts in Europe and beyond, the war in Ukraine especially considered.
• Representing the YMCA organisations/institutions that have existing international (US – Europe) partnerships or are willing to establish them.
• Decision makers, camp directors, program leaders or team members eligible to assume the responsibility for development and enhancement of camping programs in Europe and the United States.
• Competent and willing to share their knowledge and experience in camp program management to the other participants of the Conference.
• In a position to transfer the knowledge gained during the Conference to respective sending organisations and the teams carrying out camping activities.
• Previous experience in camping programs and/or the motivation to develop their competencies and skills in the camping field.
• Committed to attend the full duration of the Conference.
• Able to communicate and work in the English language.

Campacity Conference welcomes all candidates who fulfil the specific profile outlined above – irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

CONFERENCE DATE: March 27 – 31, 2025

CONFERENCE LOCATION: Camp PerspektivFabrik, near the city of Brandenburg an der Havel, 85km west of Berlin, Germany. The closest train station: Brandenburg Hbf. (For more precise address details, please see the following link)

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION FEE: € 300 per participant

NUMBER OF SUBSIDISED PARTICIPANTS PER NATIONAL YMCA: Maximum 2

PARTICIPANT AGE: Twenty-one (21) & Above

NOTES:

1. Subsidies (including the travel costs) can be available upon request for the applicants from the selected countries & regions, such as: Ukraine, South Caucasus and Western Balkans; as well as for the applicants from those organisations that previously partnered with the YMCA Camp Europe project.

2. You will be expected to participate during the full duration of the event. Please DO NOT apply if you will be unable to attend all four working days of the Conference.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please submit your applications no later than January 17th, 2025.

Thank you!