Open Call for Camp Staff: YMCA’s SPARK Day Camp 2026 in Bitola
Get Involved Open Call for Camp Staff: YMCA’s SPARK Day Camp 2026 in Bitola SPARK Day Camp, a dynamic three-day leadership experience, is designed for aspiring young leaders—both girls and boys in Grades VI–VIII. Through teamwork, outdoor adventure, creativity, and confidence-building activities, participants begin their leadership journey in a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment. Now, we are looking for passionate and motivated young adults to join our SPARK Camp Staff Team. YMCA is excited to announce an Open Call for Camp Staff for the 2026 SPARK Day Camp, taking place Tuesday-Thursday, 23–25 June 2026, 9 am – 4 pm, in Bitola. If you are passionate about youth development, leadership, and making a positive impact — SPARK is where your leadership journey begins. This experience is highly valuable for future educators (in youth work, psychology, pedagogy and social work). About SPARK Day Camp Held at the Faculty of Pedagogy in Bitola and in the inspiring setting of Pelister National Park, SPARK combines experiential learning with adventure and creativity: Leadership & Teamwork Environmental Awareness Arts & Crafts Drama & Storytelling Music & Dance Adrenaline Park (Low & High Ropes) Staff Positions Available We are recruiting dedicated team members in: Counseling: mentoring small groups of campers; fostering teamwork and confidence, and serving as positive role model Programming: planning and leading workshops and activities; facilitating sessions in leadership, arts, environment, and adventure; and supporting experiential learning approaches Communications: capturing camp moments through photography and video; developing daily social media posts; assisting with storytelling and promotion Logistics: coordinating schedules, materials, and supplies; supporting transportation and site setup; ensuring smooth daily camp operations APPLY online by 6 March 2026 Join us this June and help ignite the spark in future leaders!
Open Call for YMCA 2026 Summer Youth Leadership Camp Staff
Latest News Open Call for YMCA 2026 Summer Youth Leadership Camp Staff YMCA Macedonia is calling for vibrant, dedicated volunteers to join the staff of our Summer 2026 flagship camps, core events within our youth leadership program: Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) and Young Men’s Leadership Program (YMLP). YMCA has implemented these camps, which have existed for more than 20 years with the support of Peace Corps volunteers and local alumni. If selected, you would undergo orientation and pre-camp staff training before the 4-day camps begin: Saturday, April 25 Staff Orientation_____ Monday-Tuesday, June 29-30 GLOW Staff Pre-Camp Training Wednesday-Saturday, July 1-4 GLOW Camp_____ Monday-Tuesday, July 6-7 YMLP Staff Pre-Camp Training Wednesday-Saturday, July 8-11 YMLP Camp Why Lead GLOW & YMLP? By joining the camp staff in Bitola and Pelister National Park, you become a vital part of a mission to empower the next generation of active community leaders. It’s also a solid base for your own leadership journey. Volunteering offers transformative benefits: Refine Your Leadership: Gain hands-on experience in experiential education, team management, and youth transformation Build Your Professional Portfolio: Develop highly transferable skills in program development, counseling, communications, and logistics Join a Diverse Network: Work alongside Peace Corps Volunteers and local camper alumni, fostering cross-cultural connections and lifelong friendships Personal Growth & Wellness: Immerse yourself in nature while practicing mindfulness, creativity, and resilience Make a Lasting Impact: Be the mentor who helps a young person discover their inner courage and potential Your Role in the Adventure YMCA is seeking locals (18+) and Peace Corps Volunteers to lead in these areas: Programming: Design activities in leadership, environmentalism, civic responsibility, career development and personal growth Counseling: Mentor and guide groups through high-energy camp experiences Communications: Capture the magic of storytelling through social media and PR Logistics: Master the inventory and facilities that keep the camps running smoothly Recruitment Timeline February 16: Application Deadline March 2: Virtual interviews begin (not all applicants will be interviewed) March 16: Notification of Decision April 25: Staff Orientation APPLY HERE: Locals (18+) and Peace Corps Volunteers Download the full info packet.
GLOW Club 2025: New Energy in GLOW club
Latest News GLOW Club 2025: New Energy in GLOW club The excellent GLOW girls’ camp this summer was a great additional energy and motivation for the continuation of the GLOW club. After the successfully implemented GLOW club program last year, we started this school year again with new ideas, fresh energy and dedication to creating a space where young girls can learn, grow and be inspired. On October 11, 2025, an information session was held for the new generation of the GLOW club, where the participants were introduced to the program and activities that will follow throughout the school year. A novelty this year is that the leadership of the club was taken over by two former participants – Emma and Mila – who now, as club leaders, take care of communication, logistics and support of the club in coordination with the YMCA team. GLOW club workshops We launched a series of workshops on November 1, 2025, starting with an interactive session about communication and teamwork! YMCA youth worker, Jovche Krsteski, led the group through dynamic, fun activities, including practical demonstrations of how we use verbal and non-verbal communication. The positive energy was contagious, and the girls left motivated and ready for more. The momentum continued November 22 with the second GLOW Club workshop, where creativity took center stage. Professor Nikolina Gjurovska from Gymnasia Josip Broz Tito in Bitola, guided participants in exploring expression through poetry and short stories. It was a safe space for everyone to tap into their unique creativity using both written and visual inspiration. We closed out the year 2025 by looking ahead. At our final workshop on December 13, new Peace Corps Volunteer Ellen Kussman unveiled ‘The 2026 Vision for GLOW.’ Participants discovered exciting new paths for the coming summer, from attending the GLOW Camp for high school students to working as summer staff at our Day Camp. The vision also includes international training opportunities in Europe and the launch of the YMCA Youth Leaders Program later in the year. We will continue with new workshops on interesting topics throughout the next year. Highlights from the GLOW club are in the photo gallery below.
Participant’s Testimonials from the Digital Education Club
Latest News Participant’s Testimonials from the Digital Education Club Stefanija My name is Stefanija, and I am a high school student at SABA School in Bitola. I am 16 years old, and I am studying computer science. Today I completed the course ‘Introduction to Digital Business Skills’ from the Entrepreneurship section. I have been studying HP life courses in stages for a year. Although I am determined to learn about technology and its inventions, I often find myself logging into HP and going to the Entrepreneurship or Marketing courses. I simply love those courses because they are quick, easy to understand, and teach me things that I have never heard of before. Mihail My name is Mihail Spasevski and I come from the high school Taki Daskalo. I have been going to the courses for about a month now and to say that I’m satisfied with the courses is an understatement. Recently, I completed the class Social Entrepreneurship, which taught me how to assess a social enterprise idea, utilize stakeholder analysis, and measure business impact. I mostly do classes in the course of Entrepreneurship. I find these courses most useful for my work and me. They are not too long; they usually take me up to an hour to finish, and the shared information that is in these courses is awesome. I like the idea of online courses; I find them easier to understand and learn. If you want to, you can come back to the course and revisit it. The overall quality of these courses is amazing, and I would not change a single thing about them. Irem I am Irem Emektar, a student at the Department of Communication and Design at Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey. I am originally from Ankara, but I am currently volunteering for two months at the Youth Center in Bitola. In addition to my university education, I have a great interest in the development of the digital world. Therefore, I aim to develop my knowledge and skills in digital marketing by attending courses at the YMCA, supported by HP Life. I believe that the future of communication and design will be shaped by the digital transformation. These courses contribute to both my professional and personal development. I recommend all young people to take advantage of this free opportunity, as the YMCA Digital Center offers an inspiring environment for anyone who wants to learn and improve. Jovan I am Jovan from Bitola, a regular volunteer at the YMCA. In the last year of my primary education, I actively devoted myself to the HP life courses, which were held almost every week at the Youth Center. From the very beginning, I had the feeling that they would complement my existing knowledge. After completing several courses, I became even more interested. I also had the opportunity to be part of the first generation of participants at the HP Gaming Garage, where I studied a course in Computer Game Design. During these courses, I liked the communication and interaction with other students who regularly attended. I recommend this way of gaining new knowledge to my classmates, and to freely study my favorite topic, digital marketing.
Digital Education Club 2025: Strengthening Digital Skills and Community Engagement
Latest News Digital Education Club 2025: Strengthening Digital Skills and Community Engagement The Youth Center in Bitola continues to actively fulfill its mission of preparing young people for the digital future, offering them free access to HP’s online educational platforms. Throughout the year, the YMCA continuously implemented HP LIFE courses, enabling young people to acquire basic digital competencies and practical knowledge in business, marketing, communications, entrepreneurship, etc. These regular activities were a continuation of the foundation laid in 2023 and 2024, when several hundred participants completed HP LIFE sessions and received certificates on various topics, from digital marketing to entrepreneurship. While this year’s total number of young people included in the program was slightly lower (300+ participants), our community reach and engagement efforts intensified, especially in the last quarter of the year, as you can read below. See below the photo gallery from the digital education sessions of the club in 2025. Expanding Our Community Footprint To make digital learning more visible and accessible beyond the Youth Center, we launched offline promotion campaigns in secondary schools across Bitola. Teams of young volunteers went into classrooms and school events to share stories and encourage classmates to join the digital education courses. We also took part in major local events — including the Volunteer Fair and the University Hackathon — where we met students face-to-face and offered on-the-spot registrations. This grassroots outreach helped us connect with young people who might not have seen the program online, and deepened YMCA’s presence as a trusted partner in youth learning and development throughout the city. See below the photo gallery from all the campaigning with HP life courses across the city.
Real Stories, Real Growth: Peer School Participants Reflect
Latest News Real Stories, Real Growth: Peer School Participants Reflect Mila Nikolovski, Economic School Jane Sandanski When I first heard about this activity, I immediately felt great curiosity and excitement. I had positive expectations – that I would learn something new, meet interesting people and gain useful knowledge and experiences. What I liked the most was the teamwork and practical tasks, which were dynamic and fun. Through them, I learned new skills for communication, cooperation and critical thinking, and at the same time gained greater confidence in expressing my ideas. This experience helped me develop as a person, improve my social and organizational skills and get a clearer idea of my future goals. I can apply the acquired knowledge in everyday communication, at school, as well as when working in a team and making decisions in different situations. And young people who want to upgrade themselves and gain new experiences would benefit the most from such activities. I would certainly recommend such programs to everyone, because they contribute to personal development and practical knowledge. Sara Gruevska, Economic School Jane Sandanski I came to the peer school with expectations that I would have a good time and that I would learn many new and useful things, and those expectations were fully realized. The workshops were particularly interesting and interactive, and through them I gained new knowledge and insights that I did not possess before. This experience taught me true values and significantly contributed to my personal growth and self-improvement. I believe that the things we learned are fully applicable in everyday life and help us better deal with different situations. We, the participants, benefit the most, because through the activities we learn practical skills that are necessary for us in everyday life. Nektaria Ilievska, Gymnasium SABA Honestly, the peer school met and even exceeded my expectations. I liked the activities and games the most, because through them learning was interesting, active and fun. During the peer school I learned many new things and gained new knowledge and skills that will be useful to me in the future. I believe that what we learned is practical and applicable in real life, and I think that this type of school is most useful for high school students. Stefanija Dimitrijovska, Gymnasium SABA Before the peer school started, I had expectations to learn more information related to the world of career development. The most interesting part of the program for me were the games in which we actively participated and were constantly on the move. Through them, I learned new games and ways of cooperating with others. I believe that the school partially, but significantly, contributed to me in this area and gave me a clearer picture of the topic. The things we learned are applicable in everyday life and can be of great benefit to students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, as well as to students in the first, second and third years of secondary education.
The Third YMCA Peer School: Fostering Personal Growth, Communication and Career Guidance
Latest News The third YMCA Peer School: Fostering Personal Growth, Communication and Career Guidance Over the past three years, the YMCA Peer School has gradually developed as a space where young people learn to talk about topics that most often do not receive the attention they deserve within formal education. After one school year dedicated to mental health and another focused on peer violence, this year’s school combined the experiences from both previous years and focused on the questions that young people are increasingly asking – who we are, what drives us, and how to make informed choices for the future. Therefore, the focus was placed on personal development, values, and career guidance. The activities, led by Jovche Krsteski, youth worker and psychologist, were held in the first semester of the academic year at the premises of the youth center and included participants from seven high schools in Bitola. The Peer School was conducted through a series of workshops, organized into separate modules for personal growth and career development that build upon each other. The process began with exploring personal values, needs, and interests as a foundation for developing self-awareness. Participants reflected on what is important to them, what motivates them, and which factors influence their choices, as well as how these aspects affect their daily behavior and decision-making. Later, attention was directed toward the differences between knowledge and skills and their importance for personal and professional development, through which the young people recognized their own potential and learned that personal growth is not based solely on what we know, but also on how we apply that knowledge in various life situations. Communication and interpersonal relationships were identified as key components of personal development. Within these modules, participants explored communication styles, temperaments, and their impact on relationships with others. The work continued with topics related to conflicts, analyzing different strategies for resolving them and the connection between personal characteristics and reactions in conflict situations. In the later phase of the Peer School, the focus shifted to identity, personal vision, and long-term goals. Through creative and reflective activities, participants considered what defines them, which values guide them, and how these aspects relate to their future educational and career choices. The final modules were focused on taking initiative and preparing for peer education. Participants worked on planning and structuring presentations, adapting content for different groups of audiences, and developing confidence in public speaking. This part represented a transition from personal work to actively sharing the acquired knowledge within the school environment. The process was concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants who actively participated over the past months and carried out the planned peer activities. With this third Peer School, YMCA Bitola continues to build continuity in peer education and create a space where young people can develop, express themselves, and receive guidance and support in building their future. The project was supported by CVJM #SignsOfHope and the Municipality of Bitola! You can view the photos from the Peer School and peer education activities in the album below.
Expanding Digital Horizons: YMCA Introduce Gaming Garage Program
Latest News Expanding Digital Horizons: YMCA Introduces Gaming Garage Program In addition to the core HP life digital education program that the YMCA has been implementing for the third year at the Bitola Youth Center, the YMCA has expanded its offering with new digital programs through the Gaming Garage HP platform. These additional courses introduced young people to creative digital industries, including video game development, e-sports, programming, visual design, and digital storytelling. Designed to be understandable even for beginners, these courses combine creativity and technology and offer opportunities for access to modern, global, and fast-growing professions. The four-week hybrid program which was implemented this spring, combined online learning with live meetings at the Youth Center. Participants could individually or in teams learn from the online courses and exchange ideas with their peers. The program additionally included a study visit to a local gaming company where young people could get acquainted with real job positions and industrial processes in creating a game for the gaming market. In addition to these regular educational activities, the YMCA also activated the local community through two special Gaming Garage tournaments organized at the Youth Center. The tournaments were realized in two rounds, in spring and autumn as special events that encouraged young people to get involved, have fun and compete by playing some of the games they had the opportunity to learn about during the educational activities and meetings. The Gaming Garage tournaments were conceived as much more than games – participants had the opportunity to learn about the best free online courses for game design and the use of digital creativity in game creation, showing them that their hobby can grow into a skill or a future employment opportunity. Upon completion, participants receive an official certificate from HP and edX.These initiatives are open to all young people from 15 to 30 years old, regardless of previous experience. Curiosity, a desire to learn and an interest in IT technology are enough. Both programs HP LIFE courses and Gаming Garage are implemented in partnership with HP Inc. and YMCA Europe and are part of the wider HP E-Sports and Video Game Development Academy of HP. Through continuous training, joint events, and access to cutting-edge digital resources, the YMCA continues to motivate young people to learn, create, collaborate, and build the digital skills they will need in the future.
Empowering Students in Mogila Through Non-Formal Education
Latest News Empowering Students in Mogila Through Non-Formal Education As part of our efforts to make youth work accessible in rural areas in October and November 2025 we delivered activities for non-formal education of young people in the Municipality of Mogila. Our team of youth workers held a series of three workshops in the Goce Delchev Primary School in the Municipality of Mogila. The workshops aimed to strengthen the capacities of the student organization in this school so that students themselves can create and implement initiatives that contribute to creating a safer school environment. The workshops were attended by the presidents and deputies of all classes, as well as the school’s children’s ombudsman, students aged 12 to 15. At the beginning, they talked about how they understand communication, what verbal and non-verbal communication means to them and how these elements affect their relationships. They also talked about what constitutes conflict, how they recognize it and where it is right to report it. Then the students practiced decision-making – individually and in groups – and analyzed the factors that influence a group communication to be successful and useful. This was followed by a session with a discussion on how to hold meetings, ways of keeping minutes, how to process agenda items and how to draw conclusions. The students described the meetings they had had so far in the school and compared them with the good practices they had learned. Each class was given a task – in pairs to draft a petition or official request to the Principal, based on a need that their classmates had highlighted as significant. The next workshop was where the children were introduced to the basics of research work. The students learned to choose and use tools for collecting information from larger groups of children, such as surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Each team conducted research in the school, processed the results and presented them at the last workshop. As an additional activity, they drew their “ideal school”, and then compared the idea with the real situation, analyzing what could be improved. This exercise encouraged them to think about a student initiative that would have the greatest significance for their school. In the discussions, most of the students expressed a desire for the initiative to be creative and supportive. Thus was born the idea for “Comics that Change” – the creation of comics by students under the mentorship of Macedonian language and art teachers, with the aim of creating a student comic book – a collection of topics important to the school and the community: student participation, violence prevention and ecology. These will then be printed on paper and will be part of the regular program of the school’s patron saint holiday, which is celebrated every spring and is a significant event in this local community. The overall initiative in this way helps to raise the level of safety, trust and openness between students and professional service and contributes to a better school environment for future generations. In order to promote non-formal education in rural areas, YMCA cooperates with various partners. These activities enter in a broader initiative of the Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA, in partnership with the Macedonian Center for Civic Education, the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi and SmartUp – Social Innovation Lab, with support from the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, which is being implemented in the period September 2023 – August 2026. Thanks to the support of Y’s Men International, we are in a position to implement a series of new workshops in other rural areas as well.
Communication Matters: Training and Knowledge Transfer in Three Schools in Bitola
Latest News Communication Matters: Training and Knowledge Transfer in Three Schools in Bitola Our cooperation with schools is continuous and consistent. In addition to opportunities for educating children, we also offer opportunities for staff education. From 10 to 19 November 2025, representatives from the professional services of three schools in Bitola participated in Erasmus+ Communication Matters, an Erasmus+ training in Brno, Czech Republic, designed for educators, youth workers, and facilitators. The training focused on nonviolent communication, a method developed by Marshall Rosenberg, which aims to help distinguish people’s opinions from their needs and to foster understanding and connection even in situations of disagreement. During the training, participants engaged in theoretical sessions, group activities, interactive exercises, and simulations. They learned how to recognize subtle emotions and understand the needs behind different words and behaviors, how to listen empathetically, communicate clearly, and handle challenges and difficult situations. This process allowed them to see how the choice of words and the manner of communication influence relationships and the atmosphere within the group. Special emphasis was placed on applying these skills in work with young people, developing strategies for constructive conflict resolution, and building trust within the group. In December 2025, the participants shared the knowledge they had gained in three schools in Bitola – Dr. Trifun Panovski Primary School, Elpida Karamandi Primary School, and Goce Delchev Primary School. Students took part in interactive workshops, games, and group activities that allowed them to learn, in a practical way, the basics of empathetic listening, recognizing feelings and needs, and expressing their opinions clearly. The activities created a safe space where young people could practice communication, learn from each other, and explore different perspectives, while also strengthening cooperation within the group. The training and dissemination activities enhanced the participants’ ability to communicate attentively and with understanding, recognize needs, and support young people in creating a more open and safe environment. The application of the acquired skills at the local level confirms YMCA Macedonia’s commitment to building an empathetic, attentive, and supportive space for young people, fostering their development and active participation in the community. This project is co-financed by the European Union. You can view the photos from the training in Brno and the dissemination activities in Bitola in the album below.
