21/05/2023
Turkey
participants
Chill'Ness VII: Back To Nature aimed to achieve various goals and create awareness along with its location and program content. The primary goal was for the event to be beneficial to participants' 'physical and mental health.' In addition to this goal, various objectives were also aimed for. The camp event featured numerous sessions and workshops based on different sports and activities beneficial to health. The detailed impact of the activities was highlighted in the project introduction. The purpose here is to encourage participants to engage in known truths by promoting 'experiential learning' and recognizing skills. The beauty and nature of Türkiye's coastal areas are well-known facts. Therefore, the first goal is to showcase the 'cultural and natural heritage' to the target audience and remind them of the need to protect nature for sustainability. The interaction between Erasmus and international students among themselves and with local people teaches them to 'recognize cultural differences' and enhances 'cultural dialogue.' Within the workshop, emphasis was placed on reducing waste and promoting recycling, such as featuring clothes expected to be recycled and avoiding the use of paper.
At the end of the event (on the last day), there is a special session for cleaning the environment. The intended purpose here is to demonstrate that the sustainability of the 'Back to Nature' slogan can be achieved by preserving nature. Various flags and triangular banners in the campsite decoration aimed to create awareness about 'LGBTQ+ Rights' by stating 'No Barrier.'
The multifaceted approach of Chill'Ness VII: Back To Nature demonstrates a commitment not only to physical and mental well-being but also to environmental consciousness, cultural diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights awareness.
Chill'Ness VII: Back To Nature, a major national camp event organized by ESN Türkiye, took place from May 19th to May 21st, 2023. A total of 666 participants attended this event. This edition of Chill'Ness, known as "Back To Nature Edition," was held in Izmir/Foça. Izmir is located in the Aegean Region of Türkiye, and Foça is one of its districts. Foça has clean air for most of the year due to the prevailing wind, and many areas of the district are under strict environmental protection due to the beauty of its small bays. In this context, the camp event focused on Health & Well-being, given the location.
Chill'Ness VII: Back To Nature spanned three days, taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The event highlighted Health and Well-being topics through various workshops and activities. On Friday, the program schedule ran from 11 AM to 4 AM the next day. The day began with entry to the campsite and the process of settling into tents. The participants enjoyed various fun and health-supportive activities, including a 'Hiphop Dance Workshop' emphasizing the health benefits of dancing. Another workshop, ''T-Shirt Makeover: Batik Dyeing Edition,'' focused on mental health, as painting is known to enhance focus and relax the mind. The incorporation of a sustainability theme was achieved by asking participants to bring an unused t-shirt for this workshop. Additionally, there was an ongoing 'playground' session on both Friday and Saturday, including activities like volleyball, badminton, soccer, and human foosball. After the awareness and impact-based daytime program, the flow continued with 'Heating up with Athos,' 'Ritim In The House (Bring Your Glasses!)', 'DJ,' and 'Cyber House.'
On Saturday, the program ran from 11 AM to 4 AM the next day. The day began with an 'Art Workshop' focusing on mental health, where participants painted on stones without using paper to promote sustainability. This was followed by 'Chill Pilates,' known for its benefits in reducing pain, preventing posture disorders, enhancing flexibility, balance, coordination, and breath control, positively impacting mental health. Later, a 'Latin Dance Workshop' emphasized the health benefits of dancing. A 'Water Fight' and a 3-hour 'Volleyball Tournament' followed, attracting considerable interest and involving numerous teams, with approximately 15 sets played in total. Throughout the tournament, a member of the Safety Team acted as an observer. After the daytime program, the flow continued with 'Heating up with Athos,' 'Ritim In The House (Hippie Party),' 'DJ,' and 'Cyber House.'
On Sunday, the program started at 11 AM. It began with a 'Yoga Workshop,' highlighting the various benefits of yoga on flexibility, stress, mental health, strength, anxiety, balance, self-confidence, and bone health. Following the three-day 'Back to Nature' theme, the topic of 'recycling' was addressed. Participants, in collaboration, cleaned the campsite to reduce environmental pollution and leave nature as they found it. Tents were packed up, concluding the program.
