By Jovche Krsteski

May 2016, a period when I had an incredible journey, a valuable learning, a memorable experience that will stay in my mind and soul forever. It was not an ordinary trip; it was an enormous opportunity for discovering myself, for meeting new people and new country , for expanding my knowledge, skills and creativity, for finding out my purpose and enjoyment. This magical voyage was a lovely, enthusiastic camp training program known as the “Empowering Summer Camp Youth Leaders”, simply called the “ESYL”.

The whole story took place in the Netherlands, the beautiful, flat, green land of the tulips, countless canals and bicycles. The kindness, politeness and friendliness of the warm Dutch people make the country more adorable and lovely. In the center of Holland lies a small town named Leusden and near the town, there it was: “The YMCA” Camp, a place where the ESYL training happened. The huge campsite was impressive, set in a big forest with many tents, some of them prepared for us. As we reached to our part of the camp, we were immediately welcomed by the friendly Lithuanians who brought us the positive energy that we also had. Conversation started in the same moment. And while the other countries were coming one by one, we also shared the welcoming greetings and bonding like the Lithuanian campers shared with us. After us came Romania, The Netherlands, Kosovo and Moldova. Everyone increased the euphoria and excitement more and more. Somehow we began to talk with them like we knew each other for years, no awkward moments, no shyness, no introversion… Everybody wanted to learn more about each other’s country, culture, every-day life, habits, food, traditions… Even though it is a bit cultural shock to talk, play and laugh with boys and girls you met two hours ago, I figured that I like that, meeting new characters, perspectives, personalities, feelings. The moment we finished dinner on which we were coincidentally completely mixed, I knew that this camp will be fantastic. And it was! Not only for finding many new great people, but also for upgrading myself on a higher level in future bigger challenges. Learning how to be a leader, a good communicator, a team player, a volunteer manager, a workshop creator, how to act and react in practice situations, learning how to discover your true talents, skills, motives and way of acting. It was a program that helped us to create the perfect combination of success, the perfect combination of our success. The new relationships between all of us were also strengthened through the workshops. The day was full with many other interesting activities and learning experiences, every free time was spent on hanging out on the trampoline, playing table-tennis or volleyball, discussing and laughing on the benches, during meals or while walking to the tents. Everything that happened was funny and wonderful; doing pushups for being too late, singing “Cheap Thrills” or “YMCA”, staying late in the night for playing one more round of “Wolves of Walkerdam”, enjoying laughing with people even though they don’t know English quite well but you want to have fun… Going to bed late, getting up early in the morning, but ready and energized for any new activity, for new entertainment with lovely people for today, sad for all the hugs that were so strong and warm on the departure day but happy that you will meet all of them again one day…

Every second, every moment is memorable and magical. ESYL was not an ordinary camp; it was a special journey for me. A unique, sweet and epic one 😀 .