Goal Camp — AC Romania

General Details

GOAL CAMP (Grow Outstanding Action Leaders) aims to encourage students from rural secondary schools, aged between 13 and 16 years old, from various counties in Romania, regarding critical thinking, civic leadership, and the ability to support reasoned discourse. We offer a series of diverse and attractive activities, with the goal of providing appropriate information and role models to the younger generations to become active participants in the development of their communities!

As a program dedicated to rural areas, it is essential to encourage young people to discover as much as possible about Romania's democratic values and how they function in their state.

Thus, the camp program includes various activities:

Interactive sessions, both in English and Romanian, with local specialists, teachers, and activists.
Sessions about democratic institutions in Romania and how the separation of powers works in their state.
The importance of diversity, children's rights to opinion and participation, inclusion, tolerance, and respect for individuals in a pluralistic society.
The importance of volunteering, communication, personal values, and teamwork.
Study visits to various relevant public institutions based in Bucharest.
Interactive workshops on civil society and the essential role that each citizen plays in a democratic society; defining concepts such as civic empowerment, civil society, civic engagement, and volunteering; identifying differences and similarities between the civic engagement culture of citizens in the United States and Romania.
Educational simulations, discussions, observations, and reflections on relevant topics.

At the end of the camp, participants will work on implementing distinct post-event activities, benefiting both the local community and the school. Post-event projects may include local workshops, study visits, volunteering, or activities that help improve the quality of life within the school (e.g., online and offline sessions on various topics or community volunteering activities, etc.).

Currently, applications are closed.

If you want to improve your range of extracurricular activities, enrich your knowledge that helps both personally and professionally through discussions and non-formal activities with important role models in civil society, and you want to share your opinion with other participants, as well as your community and future generations, we invite you to follow the official American Councils for International Education Romania website!

We will provide details about future editions.

General Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to students who meet the following cumulative conditions:

Are Romanian citizens;
Are, at the time of registration, students in any rural school, in the counties that will be announced later;
Are aged between 13 and 16 years old at the start of the program;
Have at least an intermediate level of English language skills;
Are creative, civically engaged, and have good academic and extracurricular results;
Demonstrate interest in the program's theme;
Are willing to organize at least one local civic project.

General Project Calendar

Press release launch
Application deadline
Application evaluation period
Selection of 15 participants
Announcement of finalists and reserves
Online workshops with trainers from Romania and the USA
GOAL Camp
Implementation period for follow-on projects

Logistics

HOW COMPLEX WILL THE PROGRAM BE?

The camp's activities are diverse and engaging. They start in the morning and throughout the day, there will be various types of sessions, visits to various public institutions, non-formal activities, and thematic discussions, both in Romanian and English. There will be short breaks and meal breaks during the day.

WHERE WILL THE ACTIVITIES/ACCOMMODATION/MEALS TAKE PLACE?

More details will be announced.

IS ACCOMMODATION PAID FOR?

Accommodation does not need to be paid for; the facilities are fully funded by the project organizers.

CAN PARTICIPANTS LEAVE THE CAMP AT ANY TIME?

The answer is no. Organizers plan a series of outings with the entire group where they leave the camp together. However, none of the participants should leave individually. According to the camp's rules, participants go to pharmacies or stores near the campsite only when accompanied by a GOAL CAMP organizer.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE?

Regarding clothing, there are some events, such as the opening ceremony or official visits to institutions in Bucharest, that require formal attire. For all other sessions and team-building activities, casual clothing is suitable.

Q&A

WHERE WILL GOAL CAMP 2023 TAKE PLACE?

More details will be announced later.

DO I NEED TO PAY FOR ACCOMMODATION/MEALS/TRANSPORT?

No, the costs are covered by the organizers!

WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS NEED THROUGHOUT THE CAMP?

Throughout the camp, participants need to be prepared with appropriate clothing for both general activities (casual clothes, comfortable shoes) and formal events (shirt, dress/skirt, suitable shoes). Participants should also have all necessary medications if they have any allergies or medical conditions.
It is mandatory to have the necessary identification documents, both for identification and proof of participation in the camp following the selection process.
For participants under the age of 14, an original birth certificate is required.
For participants aged 14 and over, they must have their identity card (ID).

IN WHAT FORMAT SHOULD I COMPLETE MY APPLICATION?

The GOAL CAMP application is available in both physical and electronic formats. Regardless of the format, the important thing is your answers to the application questions and your opinions on certain current topics. The method in which the form is completed and submitted is not considered a differentiating criterion in its evaluation.

DO SCHOOL GRADES MATTER FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMP?

School performance is relevant for the selection of participants. Academic results, participation in various school competitions/olympiads, and extracurricular activities that help both professionally and personally are factors that should be improved.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FIND OUT THAT I HAVE BEEN SELECTED BUT CANNOT PARTICIPATE DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS?

In the unfortunate event that you are selected but cannot participate in the camp for personal reasons, please notify us by phone or email as soon as possible. We need to ensure that the vacant spot is offered to another applicant with a strong application. Non-participation in the event does not impose any financial or other obligations; the only request is to inform the organizers in advance.

CONTACT

Iuniana Mîndru, Program Coordinator

Email: goalcamp@americancouncils.org