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European Youth Circus Training Camp 2
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: Nov 30, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

A 10 day youth exchange project with 4 youth groups from Italy, Belgium, Slovenia and the UK, bringing together 30 young people (aged from 16-25 years) and leaders using the theme - European Youth Circus Training Camp 2 (EYCTC2) – in celebration of a common interest in the intelligent physical arts. The theme is something that is particularly relevant to young people from all cultures, particularly those participating in community engagement. Circus and the physical arts are recognised worldwide as an effective means of engaging young people and re-directing negative energy into positive outcomes. The participants came from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds and life-circumstances with the aim of improving the standard, variety and quality of youth activities. Using the combined, intelligent physical arts as a common language to reach marginalised groups of young people to help build the life skills and competences necessary to become useful and productive members of society. An extensive programme of activities and events was organised using non-formal learning methods to equip the young people with functional, inter personal and individual skills in a safe, fully inclusive environment. The EYCTC2 project covered a comprehensive cross section of aspects involved with community circus, the physical arts and teaching in the community, encompassing a wide range of subjects. Non-formal teaching methodology was used to deliver a series of Masterclasses, skills and technique sharing workshops, cultural exchange activities, discussion forums and social events, as well as an open forum to discuss ideas and projects for the future in relation to the Erasmus + framework. Masterclasses included non-formal teaching and learning methods (learning through games and physical literacy), equality and inclusion, health and safety and risk management, communication and engagement, self expression and physicality in relation to overall health. To break down barriers, increase trust, foster new inter group connections and thus the ability to work together, the programme began by exploring cultural similarities and difference, followed by numerous team building activities. Strong emphasis was put on feedback and evaluation, allowing ample time for individual and group reflection to further embed the learning process and ensure the greatest benefit for the participants. All of the young people involved in the project felt that they had developed personally throughout the duration of the programme, as well as increasing their ability and skill set to deliver a variety of competently led workshops when returning home to their respective communities. On completion of the project, when asked what they would be taking away from the experience, the most common responses related to how they interacted with people and social relationships, the diversity of methodologies explored in the programme and how it will affect their practice, the range of people and abilities they now felt secure about engaging and how best to do this, particularly in relation to those with disabilities. Other notable comments reflected their personal growth – describing an increase in self belief, confidence and understanding. As well as the immediate impact the project had on the young people attending, it will also have a long-term knock on effect to their local communities whom will benefit from having more competent, confident trainers with the ability to offer a greater range of activities to a more diverse audience. They can, in turn, pass on their newly acquired skills to the next generation of students and trainers to further diversify the variety and quality of provision on offer. Participation in such projects also helps to foster strong connections between young people across Europe. The venue was Bonaly Outdoor Centre – 71 Bonaly Road, Edinburgh, EH2 0PB – which is situated at the foot of the Pentland Hills. The venue provided chalet accommodation with a variety of facilities that were suitable for the planned activities. It was a safe, outdoor environment set in a beautiful area of Scotland where the young people could be free to ‘play’ and enjoy the non-formal learning experience offered by the 4 partners involved in the exchange. The results, collected through the reflection and feedback of the Participants, and information gathered throughout the project has been collated into a document suitable for dissemination to the participants, through the A&FIC and partner’s websites and their networks. The easy to read Handbook will be available through: • All Project Partners websites • Circus Works (UK Youth Circus Network) website • The European Youth Circus Organisation (EYCO is representative of all European youth circus national networks) website • Uploaded on the Erasmus+ dissemination platform
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