Summer school meals: achievements of pupils in the Bay during summer months
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During their summer holidays, teenagers in Biysk, Russia, have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and learn about environmental care at the Children's Eco-Tourist Center (DETC). Located in the heart of the city, this unique centre offers a blend of education, nature, and practical work for adolescents.
14-year-old Daria Soldatova is one of the many students who have found their first work experience at DETC, and she particularly enjoys visiting the petting zoo. For older students like 17-year-old Sergey Vyshnykin, who has worked at the center for three consecutive years, it serves as a hobby and a productive way to spend their holidays.
At DETC, students learn various skills such as proper watering, weeding, and harvesting techniques under the supervision of educators. They also have the chance to apply these skills to their own gardens at home. Furthermore, the center collaborates with Biysk's Employment Center (CEC) to provide teens with official employment for light work.
The main summer activity at DETC involves caring for cultivated plants, including shrubs, trees, and flowers. In addition to this, students can help prepare food for animals at the zoo base. Each Friday, the center's educators organize thematic excursions for the students working at the center, offering them opportunities to learn more about their native culture.
This year, the students have visited the art space and gallery "Altai. Talent. Biysk" to learn about local art. The center ensures all tasks and working conditions meet state standards for minors, and unlike some unofficial summer jobs, it does not exploit children by paying them less for the same work.
DETC's educators aim to share knowledge about caring for the land and plants with the younger generation. By integrating educational content with practical environmental work in a natural setting, the DETC fosters a deep connection between teenagers and their local environment, promoting eco-consciousness and active citizenship during their summer break.
Labor crews at the center also perform tasks outside the center, such as weeding flower beds in kindergartens and schools, and maintaining public spaces. The center offers young Biysk residents the opportunity to participate in environmental improvement and earn their first paycheck. With ten schools in Biysk sending students to work at DETC during the summer holidays, it's clear that this program is making a positive impact on the community.
- Daria Soldatova, a 14-year-old student, discovers her passion for environmental science by learning proper watering, weeding, and harvesting techniques at the Children's Eco-Tourist Center during her summer holidays.
- Embracing personal growth and self-development, 17-year-old Sergey Vyshnykin decides to spend his summer holidays for the third consecutive year learning about climate change and environmental-science at the Children's Eco-Tourist Center.
- Recognizing the importance of learning and education beyond academics, the Children's Eco-Tourist Center in Biysk organizes thematic excursions for students, focusing on aspects like local art and environmental improvement, thereby contributing to their overall education and personal development.
