Russian Children’s Centre Orlyonok

Orlyonok and the Institute for Camp Education of China signed the Memorandum for Understanding of unlimited duration that implies the cooperation in the field of education and recreation of children and bringing together the international experience of children’s outdoor recreation in camps. The agreement was signed at the Annual Camp Meeting “The Fellowship of Campers and Educators” on the 25th of November.

The Memorandum was signed by Orlyonok Director Alexander Dzheus and Vice-president of the International Camping Congress 2020, President of the Institute for Camp Education of China Aijun Nie.

“We’re yet to realize the huge historical importance of this agreement. The Memorandum will be backed by the roadmap of our cooperation, and then we’ll have a lot of work to do. I’m sure that the results of our work will be useful for millions of children not only in Russia and China, but all around the world. By uniting our efforts in the field of education and recreation for the younger generation we encourage other countries and show them a good example of the international camping movement”, emphasized Alexander Dzheus.

Under the agreement both parties will organize staff training seminars and the exchange of experts and educational methodologies and technologies.

“As we say in China, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That’s what this Memorandum is, the first step. It’s a great honor for me to sign the cooperation agreement with Orlyonok. Together we will change lives of millions of children for the better. Together we will make a difference!”, commented Aijun Nie.

One of the most significant parts of the Memorandum is the participation of Orlyonok’s delegation in the creation of the programme agenda for the 12th International Camping Congress that will take place on 14-18 of November 2020 in Beijing, China.

The Congress was presented by Aijun Nie and the President of the International Camping Fellowship John Jorgenson.

“The International Camping Fellowship is important for two reasons. The first reason is that it gives the opportunity for more people to learn about the camping movement. The second one is that camps teach us that we’re not alone. We’re all different, but together we’re one big community. It helps us to move on, to involve more and more people in the movement, to share our experience, to teach and to learn”, said John Jorgenson.

The ICC in China will become the biggest camping movement forum with more than 10,000 professionals from different countries, including counselors, managers and directors of camps. The Congress will host more than a hundred of seminars and training sessions, and also a 5,000m2 exhibition.

“We believe that no other place in the world can strengthen the children’s friendship like camps can. Here children can meet their peers from different countries, talk to them, see things from another perspective and, most importantly, find themselves. The motto of our Congress is “One World. One Camp”. It aims to make camp education more meaningful and fun everywhere in the world”, noted Aijun Nie.

He also pointed out that they’re planning to build a camp in China that will be able to accept up to 1,500 children, which will make it the biggest camp in the country. Its infrastructure, educational programmes and staff training system will be based on Orlyonok experience. According to Aijun Nie, Orlyonok counselors will be invited to work in the new camp and 1,500 of Russian children will be the first campers there.

At the end of the Council Alexander Dzheus presented the guests with national Russian whistler-toys that have been made in Orlyonok’s Pottery House.