“Blue Track 3.0” was an 8-day action adventure outdoor training for youth workers with the aim to use nature as a tool while learning how to be sustainable and environmentally friendly in the process. The activity included elements like riverside-hike, outdoor survival, kayaking, seaside-hike, forest-hike and training methods within. Here are the experiences of our members Nastja, Maryna and Liza:
“This Erasmus+ project in Latvia was one of the most unusual projects I have ever taken part in. Unlike traditional Erasmus experiences, this one included an outdoor format: camping, hiking, and living close to nature, alongside city-based activities in Riga.
From the very beginning I felt excited and curious about how the outdoor part would work. Although we didn’t do detailed planning exercises for our own hikes, we had valuable workshops on youth work, self-reflection, prioritization and goal setting.
The outdoor part was both the hardest and the most memorable. Spending nights in tents, cooking together, and adapting to the rain required resilience and team spirit. The strongest memory I carry with me is standing with the group at a forest clearing, feeling the wind from the sea: a moment of pure freedom.
Physically I managed better than I expected, even though I was worried because of a previous back injury. Thanks to the supportive group, I overcame challenges and discovered that real difficulties are manageable with the right mindset.
The biggest insight I gained is that I don’t need to be ready for every scenario, I can cope with what I have, and often it’s enough. The project improved my teamwork, adaptability, communication, and resilience. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to create something on my own and inspired me to continue hiking and exploring nature after the project.”
Maryna
“The ‘Blue Track’ project gave me a truly unique experience. We had an amazing team of participants, which for me was the most valuable gift of this project. It was also a test of my personal limits, boundaries, and comfort zone. Through this project, I realized that emotional and physical safety must always come first.
Outdoor learning with elements of adventure and surprise follows the same principles as any other method of non formal education. I discovered that visualization, a clear daily plan, and well structured activities work very well for maintaining participants’ motivation and engagement. In my youth work practice, I will definitely use the tool of “experience first, theory after”. In the outdoor format this method works especially well.
The project and dissemination event also showed me that the “go with the flow” approach cannot be the main method in youth work. While it can sometimes be useful to trust the process, having a clear plan and distribution of responsibilities helps to avoid unexpected situations.“
Liza
“During the ‘Blue Track’ project I discovered something new about myself: I actually enjoy not always knowing the plan, and living in the moment turned out to be very valuable. This experience gave me real mental rest, and it surprised me that I could feel good without having the full picture.
At the same time, when later we organized our own activity inspired by this concept of “going with the flow”, I realized how challenging it is for me to apply it as an organizer. I learned that such a format still requires good preparation and involvement from all participants, not just the organizers, and this is something I will keep in mind for the future.
I also noticed how differently people experience this type of project. Since I already knew the organization and what to expect, I felt calm and comfortable, but many other participants seemed stressed and uncertain. It showed me that this concept takes time to understand and accept.
On a personal level, the project brought me much closer to Marina and Liza, the girls from my organization who joined me. Facing challenges together really bonded us, and I was reminded how powerful shared difficulties can be for building connections. Overall, the atmosphere was incredibly friendly, and the organizers managed to unite everyone from the very beginning, creating a space where conflicts never escalated and everything was resolved smoothly.”
Nastja
