|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Aleksandra Borštnar Maček, BA in German and Literature and Journalism, with years of teaching experience and experience as an editor of school textbooks and the PONS foreign language literature; she spent her childhood and teenage years in Prevorje. Aleksandra spends every moment of her spare time in nature, she takes long walks, she prefers the river or the sea, she plays sports, meets with friends or reads books, and of course, she travels. From the numerous places she has visited she has discovered a little piece of wisdom: “Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and Prevorje is a place my foreign friends call paradise”. |
|
“I truly wish that people wouldn’t lose themselves in this fast-paced lifestyle, and wouldn’t forget that that we are all a piece of the nature which surrounds us and gives us life. We have to learn to love it and take care of it. I feel I can help both children and adults have a taste of the country life in a way such that they can hear the silence, feel the softness of the grass, be tempted by the smell of the fresh hay, and sink into the magic of a starry night.”
|
| |
 |
Samuel Lefever has taught English to children, teenagers and adults in a variety of school situations, both public and private. He is currently a teacher trainer and English teacher at the University of Iceland. He enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and
horse-back riding. He grew up in the country in Midwest USA and has traveled widely, but Iceland is his home.
|
|
"I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new cultures; foods, music, and customs. Being close to nature is also important to me; the sights, sounds, smells and vitality of natural forces both relax and revive me and remind of the beauty of life“.
|
| |
 |
Robert Junger, a German teacher and a polyglot with years of teaching experience, both with children and with adults. He likes to spend his free time walking in nature, skating, or skiing. He spent his youth in Miklavž near Maribor, after numerous years of travelling he settled down in Bratislava, teaching at an international school. “Skating is a beautiful way to get to know nature, so I want to share my passion with the summer camp participants.” |
|
“Man has always been a part of nature and always will be. In today’s world it is becoming more and more important to find the moments to strengthen this bond. The hustle and bustle of city life make us look for our roots as well as activities which not only fulfil our body, but give the most to our soul. Children visiting our camp won’t just remember the friendly and domestic environment, but when they think about the camp they will remember the homelike atmosphere where they spent the most precious moments of their childhood and youth.”
|
| |
 |
Ram Charan from India, a graduate of business administration and English teaching. His greatest passion is travelling since a very early age he has a tremendous hunger to discover other cultures, other languages and to meet other people. He has been to few countries for internship and it gave him a lot of opportunities to meet more people. His love towards kids and nature encourages him to be a camp counsellor. It is an unforgettable experience for him. Summer camps are more than a vacation for children. They provide outdoor adventure and hands-on nature activities. He loves camps because it is where he feels most himself. |
| “I love this camp for its natural and authentic environment. I love it because of the wonderful people there. It's amazing to help providing the opportunity for kids to push their limits, explore their interests, and build up lasting memories in such a safe and welcoming place. It is a place of traditions where you make life long friends and learn something new everyday - all while being outside in nature. I have learned a great deal about teamwork, cooperation, the environment and having fun. It has definitely influenced my life in a way that has allowed me to fall in love with nature and really enjoy the simple things in life.” |
| |
 |
Brett Thomsen, secondary science and math teacher at an American international school, spent several summers working as a naturalist at Mount Rainer National Park in the U.S. He also worked summers as a naturalist on a whale-watching tour boat in the Pacific Northwest. Brett is an avid roller blader and bicyclist, two activities he especially enjoys on the many bike trails surrounding his current home city in Bratislava. |
| "There's a kind of renewal in being out in nature that you can't find anywhere else. There's a peace and serenity I find in simply being in the moment, listening to the wind in the trees, the croaking of frogs, and the chirping of the birds. Growing up in Oregon and Washington State, I really got into learning all the names of all the plants and the animals I saw in the forests, and I look forward to sharing this knowledge with the kids at camp." |
| |
 |
Debora Thomsen, retired college professor and counsellor, spent most of her career teaching health courses and designing wellness programs. Originally from California, Debora enjoys writing, photography, bicycling, hiking, travel, and exploring her new home city, Bratislava. She also is a movie buff, and has worked extensively in community theater, writing plays, designing sets and costumes, and acting. |
| "We all need to take breaks-for rest, for renewal, and to enhance our creativity. Summer camp is a perfect way to connect with the natural world, to remember how important it is, and that we are all a part of it. The stillness, beauty and timelessness of nature revive and inspire me. I believe that life is a wonderful creative journey, not a fixed destination-and that connecting with the natural world heightens the senses and our enjoyment and appreciation for all of life." |
| |
 |
Patryck Vicman, born in Switzerland, is a student of German and Slovene in Graz. He enjoys the company of his friends and relaxes playing the piano. Nature is very important to him. He grew up in the unspoilt nature where he got inspiration for writing poetry and made his first strong friends with animals. He is fond of sharing his childhood and teenage experience with children and his two nieces. He takes them on walks in green nature and tells them stories about his Pohorje adventures, which marked his life in a special way. |
| “Children are the pearls of our future so it is very important that we provide them with a sufficient contact with nature when they are still very young. In the same way that trees, a stream and wide meadows made me smile, I want to conjure up wonderful and unforgettable moments to children in the camp. I know from my personal experience that life often prevents beautiful moments to happen. That’s why we should really do our best to take time for ourselves and our precious pearls – our children." |
| |
 |
Diana Sharapova, originally from Russia, a graduate of English and German teaching. She truly enjoyed her long-lasting experience of working in summer camps for children in Russia and in the USA. Loves spending time in the sunshine, hiking, travelling around the world, and being involved in everything that is connected with children. Now she is looking forward to sharing her love for nature and foreign languages also with children in the camps in Slovenia.
|
| “Nature is fuel for the soul. When you spend more time in nature, you feel more alive. Nature is something within which we flourish, so having it as a part of our lives is crucial, especially if we live and work in a “concrete jungle”. That’s why I want to use my connection with nature to help other people find balance in their lives.” |
| |
 |
Tjaša Cepuš, BS in Economics. She performs gong baths for children and adults. She is the co-creator of the Lotos Society, which strives for the peace and well-being of all. She has often led holiday workshops for children at the seaside, and throughout the year she performs sound workshops with the gong for pre-school and school children in Celje. |
|
“Life is Joy, Love, and Peace. To live in harmony with nature, to channel the young children of the modern world by encouraging knowledge and developing the awareness they brought to the Earth, this is my gift to the Earth.”
|
| |
 |
Saba Škaberne, an academy-trained sculptor and versatile artist, she is a nature lover. Apart from being an artist, she has dedicated her life to teaching various artistic practices, especially sculpting. She also performs art workshops for adults and children. She gets along very well with children because she has preserved her inner child. Her travels and time spent in faraway Australia have convinced her of the positive qualities of life in Slovenia. |
|
“When I was a young child, my parents taught me to love nature and healthy living, which I complete by observing nature and implementing its processes in my artistic work. I like to share this knowledge and enthusiasm with all those who think alike and I communicate it further to young generations. Work in nature and in its vicinity is liberating; it is often unpredictable and even more interesting. Working in a group strengthens the team spirit and you can gain a lot of new friends.”
|
| |
 |
Marija Frece Perc, primary school teacher, teaches lower grades at the Prevorje Elementary School. She has a great deal of experience teaching children and leading extracurricular activities. She is involved in combined-classes teacher training as a multiplier, she teachers her colleagues how to work with children in such a class and what advantages these small schools have for children. |
|
“I live and work in a genuine country environment. I am in constant contact with nature and it makes me happy. In my spare time I take invigorating walks in flowery meadows and through green forests. I watch water drops glistening in the morning sun and tiny flowers along the overgrown paths. I like to stop to talk to people, and on rainy days I read educational books or a book for the soul.”
|
| |
.jpg) |
Nataša Čupeljić, BC in Slovene language and literature and History, now a student od English language and Sociology. She' s been involved in summer camps for children at the Slovenian and Croatian coast for years. She attended drama school and was a member of amateur theater. She likes to help creating theater performances. |
| »Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed.« |
| |
 |
Maja Weisseisen, civil engineering student, has numerous hobbies. She loves roller skating, skiing, and dancing; she used to dance in a folklore group. She enjoys constructive and active work with adults and children, she organizes creative painting workshops and poetry evenings and always loves to try something new. She's been living in touch with nature since her childhood and would love to share her affection for nature with children. |
|
“Vincent van Gogh once said that if man truly loves nature, he can find beauty everywhere. I completely agree and I think that nature is the inspiration for every human creation. It is crucial that we do not lose touch with nature. I believe we should show children what nature has to offer, not only in the material sense, but also in the sense of beauty and relaxation. Today’s world is very fast and stressful, we should try not to be conquered by it and still be able to enjoy its beauty.”
|
| |
 |
Gabrijela Žlof Leskovšek, a social worker, with years of experience in prevention and counselling work with children. She is a special education advisor for children with special needs at the elementary school OŠ Glazija in Celje. She has been a volunteer in the children’s prevention program Mladinske delavnice (Youth Workshops) and mentor for the volunteers. She grew up in the countryside, and she likes to visit it as often as she can, together with her family. |
|
“My love for children and nature keeps bringing me to a common beginning and end. We should protect and care for children and nature with love, respect, and warmth. Both nature and children possess hundreds of secrets and gifts, so I am looking forward to discovering them in this beautiful country atmosphere.”
|
| |
 |
Sabina Tamše, BA in Comparative Literature. A former Slovene Language and Literature teacher at Grammar School, editor of textbooks for Slovene and copy-editor, currently working as editor of a Merry School project ... sometimes found under a tree with a bunch of happy dirty little faces, waiting for magical creatures to appear. Giants and witches, dwarves and elves from the Faerie land, they are so much closer than you think ... This Faerie land is called Prevorje.
|
With children, in their world of imagination and original ideas lies an invincible strength, far more compelling than the real world of
the overworked adults. If you step into this world, you become hooked on these larger-than-life stories that children invent. Together we
become wandering (dancing and singing) explorers in the land, full of wonder - and sometimes very perilous, especially for the unwary and
the bold. However, in this magic land there is always a solution, and the recipe is (do try this at home!): roar three times as loud as you
can, continue your path with a bit of foxiness and two ounces of endurance ... And there you are, discovering a new world of Guzaj the Good Bandit and other creatures that have found their home in this unspoiled land of Faerie - Prevorje. Join us there and you just might be sorry ;-) |
| |
 |
Ida Cimerman is an art education teacher with years of experience teaching children. Although she is a city girl, she has always been drawn to country life; she spent most of her childhood at her grandparents’ farm. |
|
“Awakening and caring for inner sensitivity and respect for nature and each other is very important to me, especially in establishing inner harmony and holistic activities in the modern world. I am looking forward to group adventures and pranks with children, when we can embrace all the wealth the countryside has to offer and reach the stars together…”
|
| |
 |
Saša Ilovar, a medical student, an admirer of all beautiful things, people, nature, art, … She enjoys working with children and sometimes in this serious world she misses what adults forget from time to time: being relaxed, curios, resourceful and playful, like children.
She is excited about exploring life and has many interests. Creative people inspire her, she loves to be creative herself. She likes dancing and listening to good music, being with friendly people, having fun and learning from them. Although she spends most of her time in the city bustle, she finds inspiration and relaxation in nature and it fills her up every time.
|
| “Great people found wonderful ideas and thoughts in nature, quite naturally, because nature is a true treasury. Murmur of streams, warble of birds, caressing of sunbeams, cool wind, endless blue skies and a natural smell that can hardly be described, it always fills me up with optimism, new spirit and creativity. I believe that time spent in the nature is priceless. And if we learn and experience something new along the way, that time remains in our minds forever. I am looking forward to this summer and spending time with all of you.” |
| |
.JPG) |
Katja Ilovar, a student of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences. She enjoys an active lifestyle and tries to do new things every day. She enjoys finding and developing new talents, loves having fun and combining business with pleasure. Music is a part of her life- she plays the violin, piano and guitar, and she sings along from time to time. Learning foreign languages excites her as well as the urge to pack her bags and hit the road. She includes children in her activities, and as she says herself, they help her discover simplicity, excitement and honesty and constantly learn new things. |
| “If we try and dig a little bit, we can find a lot of beautiful things in nature. Lovely spider’s webs, whistling of the wind, cuckoos singing, the sunset. We can jump in a puddle, pick flowers for our Mom and hide in the tall grass. We often forget to stop for a moment, we forget the long carefree walks and running briskly on the field footpath, which fills us up with energy. Together with the children, we discover hide and seek games of the sun, animals and happiness.” |
| |
 |
Urša Pintarič, a student of sociology and English, she is also a musician and a flute teacher and passes her knowledge on to the young minds. She believes that she can relax the most when she pours her emotions and thoughts into music. As a sociology student she is attentive to everything around her, the society, and she transfers that feeling to nature. She likes to roller-skate and cycle, observe the world, and loves to express her feelings towards animals even more. It is her wish to try to teach children respect and love for every small being, because they understand and feel, too, although they do it their own way. |
| “Children today are more used to being guided than ever before. It is hard for them to show initiative and they are placed in their daily activities. It is important we give children other options to relax- music, walks in the nature, art, reading, … I think this is the purpose of workshops- to teach a child to get the knowledge and awareness to relax from the hard school day through play activities. Children are our future, I want to show them the other side of life, away from the city bustle, a place where you can clear your head, become more broad-minded and use your own imagination.” |
| |
 |
Veronika Kovačič, a student of German and literature, she wants to share her experiences with others, especially with children. She is a nature and animal lover, most of all she loves to hike along Pohorje and surrounding hills with her dog. Simple things make her happy, she feels most at home with simple, kind and honest people. In her spare time she likes to travel, dance, participate in creative workshops and discover new places. She has lived in contact with nature ever since she was a child, so she wants to share her love towards nature and foreign languages with children. |
| “I don’t evaluate life though my accomplishments, whether they are big or small. I prefer being awake and appreciating everything I come across. My goal is to enjoy the flowers, be in tune with the sunset, small children, the rain and birds, to absorb all of it, because there is no way towards happiness. Happiness is the way. I am guided by a wish that other people get to know how little it takes to be immensely happy and how much joy and happiness lies in all of us.” |
| |
 |
Nina Velikanje, a student of Biochemistry. She is interested in every aspect of life, she is a broadminded person. She is a people person, she adores spending time with others, and loves to spend her free time in the nature, go on a trip or experience something new. She works as a children’s entertainer at children’s parties. |
| ”The junction of life is to find the right balance between nature and people around you. Soothing and ever changing nature, surprising with its magic; but if you can share it with people who appreciate little things, it impresses upon memory and your heart. It is important to overcome obstacles in life, and sometimes we brighten up our day with a smile that gives us a new push and the children who fill us up with energy just simply by being there.” |
| |
 |
Rok Rudež, final student at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology in Ljubljana. He has been participating in summer workshops and camps since 2003, when he started as a swimming teacher through ZLRO (Organization of summer vacation programs for children). As a volunteer at the children society Društvo prijateljev otrok Mavrica he participated in children’s entertainment and for a while he was also the president. He is a versatile athlete and likes to spend his free time in nature, he also cycles, is a great swimmer and a very good skier. |
| “Our lives, learning and perception come from nature. All that is connected with nature we find interesting and wish to study thoroughly. Nature teaches us medicine, toys with us with the basics we call physics, entertains us and excites with colors and reactions we call chemistry. We enjoy living together with animals and plants, which we call biology and in the end we return to nature to find peace and inspiration we call philosophy and psychology. Living with nature is a part of us, without nature our lives would be really sad.” |
| |
 |
Anuška Poglajen, Professor of Spanish language and student of geography. I’ve been gathering experience in teaching in many classes and hanging out with the young in various volunteer camps, language camps in Slovenia and abroad. |
| “I live by the principle "Carpe diem", because every day is beautiful and full of surprises and therefore unique. Home is the best, but a traveller's heart is pulling me to friends around the world. In my student days I was impressed with Portugal and rather the complicated Portuguese language. Love of language and friends’ invitations led me first to the far west of Europe and later on across the Atlantic to Brazil, where I got completely addicted to Brazilian Portuguese, and now I enjoy sharing this love of language and the Brazilian energy in courses of Portuguese language. On trips I “charge my batteries” and all the new discoveries are delicious food for my soul. There I always learn something new, meet interesting people and then return back again, where I feel the best - at home. |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
