Dear friend of Estonia living abroad,
We are glad to inform you that this year as well, the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (www.meis.ee, hereinafter Foundation) will hold an Estonian language camp for young people of Estonian origin living outside the Republic of Estonia. These camps have been held since 2000.
Estonian language camps are held for youth of Estonian origin as part of the national “Compatriots Programme 2014-2020”. The programme is designed to support Estonians living outside the Republic of Estonia and promote cooperation. The language camps are traditionally held in Estonia. The camp is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research.
In summer 2014, there will be three separate camps for children between the ages of 13 and 18.
1) I camp: June 25 -July 5, 2014, for campers who have weak Estonian language proficiency or lack proficiency altogether;
2) II camp: July 20 -30, 2014, for campers proficient in Estonian;
3) III camp: August 3-13, 2014, for campers with limited or good proficiency in Estonian.
The camp will take place in different parts of Estonia.
I camp at Venevere puhkeküla in Viljandi county – http://veneverepuhkekyla.eu/
II camp at Marja Talu in Valga county – http://marjatalu.ee/
II camp at Venevere puhkeküla in Viljandi county – http://veneverepuhkekyla.eu/
The camp selected:
• ensures an environment for Estonian language interaction;
• is quaint and child-friendly, with the necessary spaces for group activities, sports grounds, dining facilities and accommodations;
• conforms to the requirements of legislation established for camps, including health, food service and lodging, fire safety, medical care, lifeguard service, personnel requirements etc;
• ensures that the children will have accommodation and three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner);
• ensures the necessary sanitary conditions (including hot water, WC);
• ensures that the children have the possibility of staying in touch with their parents or guardians as well as to be by themselves when they need to.
The primary goal of the camp is to expose the children to Estonian language studies and Estonian culture. It is important that the children at the camp be interested and motivated to learn Estonian and learn about the Estonian culture.
Registration for the camp will run until April 24, 2014.
If you are interested in having your son or daughter attend this camp in Estonia, we would welcome information on potential campers. We will make a selection of applicants based on the child’s language proficiency, motivation, age, country of residence, the amount of time they have lived outside of Estonia, number of times they have previously attended the camp and travel costs.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Prospective participants in the Estonian language camp should:
a) fill in the registration form
b) write a brief explanation of why they are interested (included as a section of the form)
a) You will find the registration form on the Foundation’s website:
b) The form includes the following data:
– First and last name of camp participant (as listed on the travel document)
– Date of birth
– Gender
– Place of residence
– Name and date of birth of parent or guardian
– E-mail (for both the applicant and the parent/guardian)
– Telephone (for both the applicant and the parent/guardian)
– Information about relatives with an Estonian background (father, mother, grandmother, grandfather. No need to list names.)
– Need for visa
– Need to have travel expenses covered (specify whether ticket is round trip or one-way)
– Information on whether the applicant plans to come to Estonia only for the period of the camp or not
– Number of times the applicant has attended a language camp
– Year in which the applicant began permanently residing outside Estonia
– Any important health issues (chronic illnesses, allergies, medicinal products, doctor’s orders etc)
– The evaluation of the Estonian proficiency (both those of camp participant and parent or guardian)
– Other important information related to the applicant (special needs, dietary restrictions, psychological issues etc)
c) The prospective camper is required to write a brief (up to 10 sentences) letter of motivation on the topic “Why do I want to attend language camp in Estonia”. He/she should write the letter independently, advisably in Estonian. If your child’s Estonian language skills are insufficient, the letter can be written in Russian or English.
The Foundation will notify the applicants regarding acceptance by e-mail by May 5, 2014.
EXPENSES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Participation in the camp is free of charge for the children’s families. If possible, we will pay for the travel costs for children attending the camp. We will buy the tickets in the case of children arriving in Estonia on the first day of the camp and leaving Estonia on the last day. If they intend to stay with relatives living in Estonia before or after the camp, we will pay for a one-way ticket to or from the camp with the travel taking place on the first or last day of the camp.
All those attending are required to have health insurance valid in Estonia. Those attending from Russia or the CIS must have health insurance valid in the Schengen countries. The parents are expected to cover the costs of health insurance.
Upon arrival, those attending must have a health certificate in Estonian, Russian or English. Health certificates in other languages must be accompanied by an Estonian translation.
The Foundation will sign parents to an agreement setting out the primary responsibilities and obligations on the part of the Foundation and the camper and his/her parent or guardian.
If you have any additional questions, I would be happy to assist.
Wishing you all the best,
Integration and Migration Foundation Our People
