Dear friends of Estonia living abroad, we are glad to inform you that once again, 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 of Estonia. These camps have been held since 2000. Estonian language camps for youth of Estonian origin are part of the national “Compatriots Programme 2009-2013” which is designed to support Estonians living outside of Estonia and promote cooperation. The language camps are held in Estonia and are supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research.
In summer 2012, there will be three separate camps for children between the ages of 12 and 17.
1) I camp: June 26 – July 6, 2012, for campers whose Estonian language proficiency is weak or they lack proficiency altogether (as determined by a test);
2) II camp: July 10-July 20, 2012, for campers proficient in Estonian (as determined by a test);
3) III camp: July 31 -August, 10, 2012 for cam-pers with limited or good proficiency in Estonian (as determined by a test).
The Foundation will use a language test to determine which campers are assigned to which camp based on their knowledge of Estonian.
The camps will take place on the western coast of Estonia by the sea, at Ojako tourist farm in Audru municipality in Pärnu County.
The camp:
• ensures an environment for Estonian language interaction;
• is quaint and child-friendly, with the necessary space 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 if they choose 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 and administration of language tests will run until April 25, 2012.
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:
a) You will find the registration form on the Foundation’s website: http://www.meis.ee/eesti-keele-laagrid-eesti-paritolu-noortele
b) 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 the 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.
c) To make language studies as effective as possible, the camps are designed around the camper’s proficiency: the first camp is for those with very limited or no proficiency in Estonian, the second for those who are already proficient in Estonian and the third one for those with low proficiency. So that they can be assigned to the right camp, the applicant will have to take a language test (personally). The test can be found: http://www.meis.ee/keelelaagri-keeletest
The Foundation will notify the applicants regarding acceptance by e-mail by May 14, 2012.
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,
Ave Härsing
Co-ordinator
ave.harsing@meis.ee
