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On 8 and 9 August, in the wild and picturesque forest of Tigava, Kuldīga Municipality, within the framework of the project “Game On: Don't let climate change end the game!”, the Latvian Scouts and Guides camp “The Net. Latvian Guides 100", organised practical activities aimed at deepening the youth's understanding of nature and climate issues and invited them to join the “climate game” – to become climate activists. A series of activities were organised where the youth took part in practical sessions to learn about active and responsible citizenship, outdoor life, environment and climate, healthy and active lifestyle, cooperation and leadership and other topics.
On 8 August, the Latvian Fund for Nature offered a lesson on civic engagement, which first included a discussion on the concept and importance of civic engagement in the fight against climate change. Afterwards, the youth prepared posters for a possible march against the amendments to the provisions on logging adopted in June, which allow the clear-cutting of younger forests. The adoption of the provisions essentially means the destruction of protected forests and habitats for protected species, so the youth were invited to take part in this and various other nature protection pickets. At the end of the session, the youth modelled a potential march by creating and reciting slogans.
To participate in biodiversity conservation, the youth took part in a natural meadow seed ball workshop and learned how it is possible to sow different areas and multiply corners of colourful flowers on their lawns, in urban and other areas. The presence of flowering plants in an area increases biodiversity by providing food for pollinators and other invertebrates. Meadow plants also make an area healthier and increase the productivity of the orchards there, as many cultivated plants such as cherries, plums and apple trees depend on the presence of pollinators.
On the morning of 9 August, a hike through the picturesque forest of Tigava, led by an expert, took place to learn about the plants, animals and other living things that live there. During one of the hiking stages, the campers were divided into two teams to find as many plants, mushrooms or animals as possible and then learn more about them. The youth crossed rivers and streams, discussed which mushrooms are edible and which are not, and quizzed an expert about birdsong and plants they had never seen before.
The day continued with a nature photography masterclass where, under the supervision of a professional photographer and nature enthusiast, participants took pictures with their smartphones and discussed the best times to go outdoors to get spectacular photos even with a non-professional camera.
At the end of the day, the youth took part in a game called "Nature as a Playground", which was organised to demonstrate the great potential of nature as a place for fun and recreation, which in turn implies the need to take care of it so that such a resource is accessible. The youth learned and presented to each other the possibilities of playing in nature, using streams as obstacles, cones as speed races, etc. During the playful activity, the youth divided into two teams, created and gave different tasks to the other team and, after completing them together, opened a treasure chest of sweets locked with a code key.
The Latvian Fund for Nature organised activities at the camp "The Net. Latvian Guides 100" which was made in the framework of the project “Game On: Don't let climate change end the game!”. The project is made up of 10 partners in 8 European countries with the aim of deepening the youth’s understanding of climate change and how individual actions can facilitate a sustainable and climate-friendly development, as well as inviting the youth to get involved in the “climate game” to become climate activists. The project “Game On! Don't let climate change end the game” is co-funded by the EU DEAR (Development Education and Awareness Raising) programme.
Check out the video about the camp here: