The environment’s sentinels

This project is based on outdoor activities. During the exchange program, participants will have the opportunity to travel by kayak, bike and foot throughout Belgium’s natural environment and to do some open-air sportive activities. These hikes will be an opportunity to observe the natural patrimony of Belgium. The objective of this project is at first to make young people aware of the issue of the bees dying out, an issue that will be put back in a more global environmental problematic. Several activities will be organised in connection to the thematic of the program, such as an interview with a beekeeper, reflexion and consciousness-raising games… with as final purpose the creation of puppets and decor as well as the creation of a consciousness-raising puppet show with those. This achievement will be realised thanks to a local co-operative.

Activities to be performed during the exchange:
- Hiking in the natural Fortress of Tombeau du Géant – the most beautiful natural view in Belgium;
- Creation of puppets and decors;
- Creation of a puppet show making people aware of the issue of the bees dying out;
- Promoting intercultural dialogue, understanding and discussion;
- Using outdoor activities to show the participant why the bees and the nature are so important and why we have to protect those;
- Sharing a unique intercultural experience;
- Sleeping in tents and having a nice evening round a campfire;
- Preparation of national dinners by the participant of each country;
- Interview with a beekeeper;
- Visiting the beautiful city of Antwerp, second harbour of Europe;
- Visiting Brussels and the European Commission;
- Observation of town hives;
- Outdoor sportive activities;
- Building hotels for savage bees.

Profile of Participants:
- Young people 18 to 25 years old, interested in the environment, nature, flora and fauna
- Group sizes: 35 persons (1 leader per 5 participants)
- Good knowledge of English
- All programme countries

Costs:
- No program fee
- 70% of each participant’s travel costs and 100% of the accommodation cost will be covered by the program.
- 30% of the travel cost must be covered by the participants.