From 23–25 June 2026, YMCA Macedonia hosted SPARK Day Camp in Bitola, bringing together enthusiastic girls and boys entering 6th through 8th grades for three unforgettable days of outdoor adventure, leadership development, and experiential learning.

Implemented in partnership with Peace Corps, the Faculty of Pedagogy, the Faculty of Technology, and former campers, SPARK Camp took place in the forest area adjacent to the Faculty of Pedagogy. The natural setting provided a convenient environment for campers to learn and build friendships while developing confidence and teamwork.

Throughout the camp, participants took part in a variety of engaging activities designed around YMCA Macedonia’s core leadership pillars of personal growth, leadership, civic responsibility, and environmentalism. Campers challenged themselves through experiential outdoor education, team-building and Olympic-style competitions, and refreshing water games.

One of the highlights of the camp was a day spent in Pelister National Park, where campers experienced the excitement of the Adrenaline Park ropes course before enjoying a guided hike through the forest. These activities encouraged young people to step outside their comfort zones, support one another, and develop resilience while appreciating North Macedonia’s natural environment.

SPARK serves as the first step in YMCA Macedonia’s youth leadership pathway. As a day camp for middle school students, it prepares participants for YMCA’s overnight high school leadership camps: Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) and the Young Men’s Leadership Project (YMLP). Through this progression, young people have the opportunity to continue developing their leadership skills, community engagement, and personal responsibility.

The impact of SPARK extended beyond the three days of camp. Parents overwhelmingly praised the program in post-camp surveys, rating their children’s experiences highly and highlighting noticeable growth in confidence, independence, friendships, and enthusiasm for learning through outdoor experiences. Their positive feedback reinforces YMCA Macedonia’s commitment to providing safe, meaningful, and transformative youth programs.

YMCA Macedonia extends its sincere appreciation to its coordinators, counselors and staff, as well as other supporters, whose dedication made SPARK Day Camp 2026 possible. Together, they helped create an environment where young people could discover their potential, build lifelong memories, and take the first steps on their leadership journey.