YOUTH4SMILE II

CODE: YS-2026-12-ESC

Work:

“Youth for Smile” implements mobile youth work with children and young people in rural areas. During this camp, volunteers will play an important role in supporting these activities.

The activities will take place in small and remote villages such as Bārbele, Stelpe, and Dāviņi, where access to youth opportunities is limited due to low population density and distance from larger towns.

Main Activities
Volunteers will help organise and support:
Creative workshops for children and young people
Outdoor and team-building activities
Orientation games and sports tourism activities
High ropes and adventure-based learning elements
Non-formal education sessions

The target group includes children and young people aged 7 to 25.

Before the activities begin, volunteers will receive preparation and guidance to understand the methods used in mobile youth work and non-formal education. You will work together with experienced youth workers and learn by doing.

This workcamp is about bringing opportunities to young people in rural areas, supporting their development, and creating meaningful and active experiences in communities where such activities are not regularly available.

Accomodation and food

Living conditions during the project will be very basic and close to nature. Volunteers will stay at a rural farm and experience simple, environmentally friendly living.

Accommodation will be in tents provided by the organisers, with mattresses included. Volunteers should bring their own sleeping bags. Tents will be shared by two participants.

In case of extreme weather conditions or other emergency situations, accommodation may be moved to adapted farm buildings (such as a barn, granary, or another agricultural building). In such extraordinary situations, it may not be possible to separate sleeping arrangements by gender.

Sanitary conditions are simple and ecological:

An outdoor solar shower will be available.
A dry toilet (compost toilet) will be used.
Washing facilities will be basic.

As the farm uses a biological sewage system, all volunteers are required to use environmentally friendly personal hygiene products (biodegradable soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.). This is an important part of the project’s sustainability approach, and through daily practice we will actively integrate eco-friendly habits into our everyday lives.

Meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves in the outdoor kitchen, including cooking on an open fire when appropriate. This will be organised in teams, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility.

Volunteers are kindly asked to bring some traditional or typical food from their home country for the International Evening.

Location and leisure

The workcamp takes place in Bārbele village, Bauska municipality, in a peaceful rural environment surrounded by forests, meadows, and wetlands. The farm is located approximately 6 km from the village centre, offering a quiet and nature-based living experience. The nearest bus stop is 3 km away.

The administrative centre of the region is Bauska, situated about 60 km from Riga, the capital city of Latvia.

The location provides wide opportunities to explore Latvian nature. Volunteers will have the chance to:

Go for forest walks and discover local biodiversity
Explore nearby wetlands and learn about bog ecosystems
Observe wildlife and experience authentic rural landscapes
Enjoy silence, dark skies, and connection with nature

The camp environment encourages outdoor living and physical activity. On-site there are possibilities for sports and active leisure, including volleyball, basketball, and football. Informal evening games and outdoor activities are often a natural part of community life in the camp.

Volunteers are also encouraged to actively plan their free time. Small group excursions can be organised to Bauska or Riga, where participants can explore cultural and historical sites, museums, cafés, and urban life.

During the camp, there will be opportunities to organise intercultural evenings, share traditions, food, music, and stories from your home countries.

For more information about the region:
https://www.tourism.bauska.lv/en/

More about Latvia:
https://www.latvia.travel/en/

Project hosted by

Founded in 2005, Jaunatne smaidam / Youth for Smile is an energetic non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young people in the Bauska region and beyond. At the heart of our mission, we are a values-driven community committed to empowering youth to innovate, share experiences, and foster a sense of togetherness.

Our Vision: Empowering Youth, Enriching Communities

Create: We ignite local and international projects that open doors for learning, participation, and self-expression in safe, nurturing environments.

Experience: We offer dynamic experiences that are both local and global in scope, designed to enhance personal development and prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Be Together: We are dedicated to building a vibrant community where young people can develop essential competencies that contribute to the growth and vitality of their local communities.

Our Impact: From sparking youth-led initiatives to providing enriching educational opportunities through non-formal settings, our work is centered around fostering intellectual and creative growth. We ensure that young individuals enjoy their leisure constructively, gain access to critical developmental resources, and acquire life skills that are integral to lifelong success.

Directions to meeting point

International arrival terminals are Riga International Airport or Riga International Bus Station.

The final meeting point will be at Gaisma bus stop. Please inform us about your arrival time at least one day before the camp starts.

We strongly encourage participants to see travelling to the camp not only as a transfer, but also as a valuable learning experience. Planning your journey, navigating public transport, communicating in an international environment, managing time and budget – these are all important life skills and competences. Travel itself is part of the non-formal learning process.

To support smooth communication, we will create a WhatsApp group for practical questions. This will also be a great opportunity to connect with other participants in advance and possibly organise parts of your journey together.

We invite you to use this opportunity to learn, explore and grow already on your way to the camp.

Additional comments