Estonian language camps are held for youth of Estonian origin as part of the national “Compatriots Programme 2009-2013”. The programme is designed to support Estonians living outside the Republic of Estonia and promote cooperation. The language camps are traditionally held in Estonia. The camp is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research.
In summer 2012, there will be three separate camps for children between the ages of 12 and 17.
2) II camp: 10-20 July 2012, for campers proficient in Estonian (as determined by a test);
3) III camp: 31 July-10 August 2012, for campers with limited or good proficiency in Estonian (as determined by a test).
The camps will be held in 2012 on the basis of the participants’ proficiency in Estonian. The Foundation will use a language test to determine which campers are assigned to which camps.
The camp will take place on the western coast of Estonia by the sea, at Ojako tourist farm in Audru municipality in Pärnu County.
The camp selected:
· ensures an environment for Estonian language interaction;
· is quaint and child-friendly, with the necessary spaces for group activities, sports grounds, dining facilities and accommodations;
· conforms to the requirements of legislation established for camps, including health, food service and lodging, fire safety, medical care, lifeguard service, personnel requirements etc;
· ensures that the children will have accommodation and three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner);
· ensures the necessary sanitary conditions (including hot water, WC);
· ensures that the children have the possibility of staying in touch with their parents or guardians as well as to be by themselves when they need to.
The primary goal of the camp is to expose the children to Estonian language studies and Estonian culture. It is important that the children at the camp be interested and motivated to learn Estonian and learn about the Estonian culture.
Registration for the camp and administration of language tests will run until April 25, 2012.
If you are interested in having your son or daughter attend this camp in Estonia, we would welcome information on potential campers. We will make a selection of applicants based on the child’s language proficiency, motivation, age, country of residence, the amount of time they have lived outside of Estonia, number of times they have previously attended the camp and travel costs.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Prospective participants in the Estonian language camp should:
a) fill in the registration form
b) write a brief explanation of why they are interested (included as a section of the form)
c) take the language test.
a) You will find the registration form on the Foundation’s website: http://www.meis.ee/eesti-keele...
The form includes the following data:
- First and last name of camp participant (as listed on the travel document)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Place of residence
- Name and date of birth of parent or guardian
- E-mail (for both the applicant and the parent/guardian)
- Telephone (for both the applicant and the parent/guardian)
- Information about relatives with an Estonian background (father, mother, grandmother, grandfather. No need to list names.)
- Need for visa
- Need to have travel expenses covered (specify whether ticket is round trip or one-way)
- Information on whether the applicant plans to come to Estonia only for the period of the camp or not
- Number of times the applicant has attended a language camp
- Year in which the applicant began permanently residing outside Estonia
- Any important health issues (chronic illnesses, allergies, medicinal products, doctor’s orders etc)
- Other important information related to the applicant (special needs, dietary restrictions, psychological issues etc)
b) The prospective camper is required to write a brief (up to 10 sentences) letter of motivation on the topic “Why do I want to attend language camp in Estonia”. He/she should write the letter independently, advisably in Estonian. If your child’s Estonian language skills are insufficient, the letter can be written in Russian or English.
c) To make language studies as effective as possible, the camps are held based on Estonian proficiency: the first camp is for those with very limited or no proficiency in Estonian, the second for those who are already proficient in Estonian and the third one for those with low proficiency. So that they can be assigned to the right camp, the applicant will have to take a language test (personally). The test can be found on page: http://www.meis.ee/keelelaagri...
The Foundation will notify the applicants regarding acceptance by e-mail by May 14, 2012.
EXPENSES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Participation in the camp is free of charge for the children’s families. If possible, we will pay for the travel costs for children attending the camp. We will buy the tickets in the case of children arriving in Estonia on the first day of the camp and leaving Estonia on the last day. If they intend to stay with relatives living in Estonia before or after the camp, we will pay for a one-way ticket to or from the camp with the travel taking place on the first or last day of the camp.
All those attending are required to have health insurance valid in Estonia. Those attending from Russia or the CIS must have health insurance valid in the Schengen countries. The parents are expected to cover the costs of health insurance.
Upon arrival, those attending must have a health certificate in Estonian, Russian or English. Health certificates in other languages must be accompanied by an Estonian translation.
The Foundation will sign parents to an agreement setting out the primary responsibilities and obligations on the part of the Foundation and the camper and his/her parent or guardian.
If you have any additional questions, I would be happy to assist.
Wishing you all the best,
Ave Härsing
Integration and Migration Foundation Our People
Co-ordinator
+372 6599 037
