GROW en
Contact us
“Roter Baum Berlin” UG
Stendaler Street 43
12627 Berlin
phone: 030 99281840
fax: 030 99281842
info@roter-baum-berlin.de
Contact person
Chiara Maggi
Email
Partners
Roter Baum Berlin (Berlin, DE)
Strauss APS (Mussomeli, IT)
Curba de Cultură (Izvoarele, RO)
Društvo Lojtra (Litija, Slovenia)
Sponsor
The project “GROW – Goals, Resources, Opportunities, Wonders. A methodological toolkit to enhance the expertise of youth workers and youth camp leaders” is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Youth for Europe – National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”
Social Media
GROW is an international project to strengthen youth camps and promote non-formal education in Europe. It is funded by the European Union as part of the Erasmus programme and coordinated by Roter Baum Berlin (Germany). Partner organisations are Curba de Cultura (Romania), Strauss APS (Italy) and Društvo Lojtra (Slovenia).
The GROW Toolkit
The central outcome of the project is the GROW Toolkit – a practice-orientated resource based on extensive research and direct feedback from youth work professionals. It offers methodological approaches and flexible strategies to support camp leaders, volunteers and youth workers in organising inclusive, safe and enriching camps.
Project aims
> Provide practical resources for planning and implementing quality youth camps.
> Strengthen group management skills to facilitate diverse groups in an inclusive, safe and motivating way.
> Encourage the design of meaningful activities – structured yet flexible to support learning, personal growth and community.
Research basis: What makes a good youth camp?
The project partners carried out an international needs analysis, coordinated by Curba de Cultura. The perspectives of three target groups were included:
> Young participants, who shared their ideas and experiences on the “ideal youth camp”.
> Youth workers, educatorsand volunteers, who reflected on strengths, challenges and opportunities.
> Organisational leaders who provided strategic insights into planning, management and obstacles.
The survey was conducted via multilingual online questionnaires (English, German, Italian, Slovenian, Romanian). The analysis provided valuable insights into the factors that make youth camps safe, inclusive and effective.
Project results
> Needs Analysis Report – a multilingual report on expectations and needs in youth camps, created with young people, carers and organisations from five European countries.
> Best Practices Handbook – a collection of successful experiences and best practices from the partner organisations.
> Pilot Actions Report – documentation of practical trials in Germany and Italy involving around 100 young leaders and volunteers.
> Multilingual GROW Toolkit – the central result of the project, a multilingual tool with innovative methods for the safe, inclusive and enriching organisation of camps.
> Checklists & handouts – ready-to-use materials for the planning, implementation and follow-up of camps.
Why GROW?
The project demonstrates that high-quality youth camps are not just leisure activities, but spaces where young people learn, develop and experience community. By combining research, best practices and practical pilot projects, GROW provides all stakeholders with accessible tools for better youth work.
All materials are available in multiple languages and free of charge: https://youthcentres.eu/project/grow/
