On March 4, 2025, the planning team of “Campacity” Conference organised a pre-event hangout to introduce the program, logistics, and most importantly, the people. The meeting brought together over 40 participants from different countries, providing an opportunity to get to know each other, reflect on the mission of the conference, and draw inspiration from the positive atmosphere and anticipation of the upcoming journey together.
Beginning in late March, the YMCA Camp Europe “Campacity” Conference will be held in Brandenburg, Germany. Involving over 80 camp professionals, the conference is a space to share best practices, gain essential skills in camp management, network for potential partnerships, and, most importantly, focus on trauma healing and resilience, aiming to help individuals affected by conflict and facilitate refugee integration.
YMCA Camp Europe expert Adi Davies moderated the meeting, providing vital information on logistics and introduction to the planning team, members of the YMCA Europe, YMCA of the USA, and the host – CVJM Germany.
YMCA Roots for Peace Project Assistant Rezi Shavladze proceeded to address the conference agenda, which involve workshops ranging from trauma awareness to creating an inclusive environment at camp and intercultural camps to philanthropy & fundraising. YMCA Roots for Peace Project Assistant Irina Berdzenishvili and YMCA Roots for Peace Accountant Šárka Čiháková also elaborated more on the financial reimbursement for project participation and the online platform where the community can access the necessary information concerning the project.
YMCA España International Program Coordinator Will Jones introduced the idea of market place, an opportunity for participants to share about their national YMCAs and their functions/activities.
Director of Global Equity Initiatives & Leadership at YMCA of the USA, Adriana Stanovici, shared words of compassion in the midst of uncertainty in the world today, emphasizing the importance of unity and dedication to our work for a better future.
The meeting concluded with a final note from YMCA Europe Executive Secretary Vardan Hambardzumyan, encouraging a positive outlook to the future and preparation for an exciting journey with “Campacity”, an initiative reinforcing the notion that no matter where you are in the world, you are not alone!
In conclusion YMCA Germany International Secretary Gerhard Wiebe welcomed all the participants to Berlin and Brandenburg!
The next day, March the 5th, 2025, another Campacity pre-event e-meeting was held, this time organised for the YMCA of the USA and focused on their 20 participants. From the Planning Team Vardan, Adi, and Gerhard joined the call – providing overview of YMCA Europe and YMCA Germany to the participants, briefing on Camp Europe project and peculiarities of the YMCA camping in Europe, elaborating on the programme of the forthcoming event, on the logistics related to both the city and in the camp days of the activity, as well as on the context of Berlin and Germany.
