The Michelstadt Camp in Germany hosted the European Youth Camp, bringing together 135 participants from 15 countries. After a long journey, and for some participants an arrival in Michelstadt marked by a series of challenging circumstances, the young people and their leaders came together around a shared theme: “Growing together – rooted in values – rising as leaders.”

The camp offered a dynamic programme filled with various courses, interactive workshops, and opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experiences. The courses were a mandatory part of the programme and covered a range of topics related to mental health, leadership, outdoor activities involving the construction of tree houses, the “Do No Harm” methodology as an approach to preventing all forms of violence, public relations, storytelling techniques, theatre-based approaches to youth work, and digital education.

The young participants and youth workers actively contributed their own ideas, practices, and perspectives, creating a space where everyone could learn from one another. The focus was on learning together for the future of youth work, as well as developing leadership skills based on values, cooperation, and international understanding.

In addition to the educational programme, the camp was enriched with many creative and fun activities. Participants had the opportunity to be part of an international music band, explore their creativity through various handicraft, drawing, and painting workshops, design wax candles, and build and decorate birdhouses. They also took part in singing workshops (Ten Sing), relaxation sessions, and sports activities on the camp grounds in Michelstadt.

Even the high temperatures did not stop participants from taking part in all these activities and enjoying a visit to the local swimming pool. Alongside the regular programme, participants also went on a walk to an adventure park, enjoyed a ride on a small mountain roller coaster, and took a boat trip along the Main River to the nearby town of Miltenberg. There were seven representatives from Macedonia.

Over the past four years, this camp has grown into an important meeting place for the European YMCA movement. It is not simply an international gathering, but a space where young people build friendships, share experiences, and are inspired to bring the knowledge they gain back to their own countries and local organisations.

The camp helps bring together youth workers from YMCA camps across Europe and is particularly important for our country because it provides an opportunity to exchange experiences related to camp culture — an area that YMCA Bitola and YMCA in Macedonia are continuously working to develop and raise to a higher and more recognisable level for all our local participants, volunteers, and the wider public.

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Before coming to the camp in Michelstadt, I did not have particularly high expectations. I hoped to meet new people, make friends, and exchange opinions with young people from different countries. In the end, all of that happened — and the experience even exceeded my expectations.
The most interesting and memorable part for me was the leadership skills course. There, I learned many useful things about communication, teamwork, and how a leader can have a positive influence on others. I am sure I will apply this knowledge in my community as well.
During the camp, I gained more confidence in sharing my opinions and learned how to better understand and respect the people around me. This experience helped me grow as a person and become more open to new ideas and perspectives.
I would definitely recommend the Michelstadt Camp to every young person who wants to gain new experiences, build international friendships, and learn something useful and valuable for their future.

Nikola Gelov

When I first heard about the camp in Michelstadt, everything came as a surprise. I was very happy when I found out that my friends had also been given the opportunity to participate, because I knew that together we would have an unforgettable experience.
Every day at the camp was interesting in its own way. I had the opportunity to learn many new things and meet people from different backgrounds.
I particularly enjoyed the singing course. There, I learned that we should not be afraid to try something new. If we never try, we will never know what we are capable of achieving. Everyone has their own talent and their own way of expressing themselves, and that is exactly what makes us special.
One of the most exciting experiences for me was the Tree House activity. Honestly, before coming to the camp, I thought this was not something I would ever do in my own city. But here I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. In the end, I had a lot of fun and was proud of myself for having the courage to participate.
The singing course also taught me an important life lesson: we should not judge other people. Everyone can do things in their own way, and that does not make them less valuable. Instead of criticising, we should accept and respect the differences between people.
The camp taught me to socialise with everyone, to be more open, and not to make quick judgments about others. I realised that every person has their own story and that everyone deserves respect, understanding, and support.
The most important message I will take with me is that we should be brave and not be afraid of new challenges. There are no stupid questions and no failures when we are learning something new. Every experience is an opportunity to grow and become a better version of ourselves.
I would definitely recommend the Michelstadt Camp to all young people who have the opportunity to participate. The friendships, the feeling of being part of one big family, the new experiences, and everything you learn there are things that are difficult to experience anywhere else. It is an experience that stays with you forever.

Jovana Kirjakovska

Since I had previously participated in two international camps outside Macedonia, I came to Michelstadt with high expectations and a great sense of excitement. From my previous experiences, I knew that something special was waiting for me, and the camp exceeded all my expectations.
What I liked most was the variety of courses and workshops. They created an opportunity for all participants to get to know one another better, socialise, and learn from each other.

I was part of the choir, and although I had no previous experience with singing, I felt accepted and encouraged to try something new. The entire course was filled with a positive atmosphere, support, and team spirit.
At every workshop I attended, I could feel the dedication of the leaders. Their warmth, energy, and desire for everyone to feel comfortable helped us step outside our comfort zones and discover something new about ourselves.
From this experience, I learned that the most important things in a group are a sense of belonging, mutual support, and a feeling of safety. I also learned that nothing is impossible for young people when they have the courage to follow their ideas and dreams.
I believe that camps like this have enormous value for YMCA and for young people in Macedonia. They not only gain new knowledge and skills, but are also motivated to pass their experiences on through workshops, camps, and activities in their local communities.
I am very grateful to be part of YMCA. Although our organisation in Macedonia is smaller, it was through international events like this one that I learned how important it is to be part of one large global family.
The Michelstadt Camp helped me become prouder of myself, my organisation, and the opportunities we have as young people.

Manuela Spasevska