Team behind the project
The team at Natural Curriculum is made up of passionate individuals from different organizations around the world, who are dedicated to improving outdoor adventure education. We believe that giving young people the opportunity to learn life skills in outdoor settings is not only valuable but life-changing.
Georgia
Youth Association DRONI
Meet Youth Association DRONI, a vibrant non-governmental youth organization rooted in Georgia. Since our inception in 2003 (with a registration update in 2010), our mission has been to shape a contemporary, healthy, and educated society through impactful educational and youth development programs.
Our Focused Areas:
- Celebrating cultural diversity
- Advocating for a healthy lifestyle
- Championing Human Rights Education and Gender Issues
- Nurturing Active Citizenship and Youth Participation
- Dedicated to Conflict Prevention and Peace-building
- Embracing Outdoor Education and experiential learning
Notable Achievements:
- Active engagement in the Caucasus region, fostering collaborations with European NGOs
- Recognized expertise in youth work, emphasizing volunteering, non-formal education, and cross-sectorial cooperation
- Proudly serving as the official Erasmus+ Youth Information Center in Georgia since 2017
- Successful coordination of impactful Erasmus+ KA2 projects, including "Triangle4Youth" and "CAUCAN"
- Currently spearheading the Erasmus+ Youth project "TRACK ONE," focusing on outdoor education and experiential learning
Outdoor Adventure Education Excellence:
- Over a decade of organizing 30+ international training courses and youth exchanges annually since 2010
- Skillfully using outdoor adventure education as a catalyst for personal development, group dynamics, employability, and social inclusion
- Robust logistical capacities, including equipment for 40 persons, an outdoor kitchen, and comprehensive camp materials
- A seasoned team with competencies in project management, non-formal education, and innovative program development
Embark on a journey through our impactful projects, youth camps, and initiatives at www.droni.org and https://www.facebook.com/droniorg. Join us as we continue shape the landscape of outdoor education and experiential learning, leaving a lasting impact on local and international communities.
visitors engaged.
Norway
Bakketun Folkehøgskole
Welcome to Bakketun, a Christian Norwegian folk high school that stands as a unique partner in our educational journey. As a one-year boarding school, Bakketun breaks away from traditional academic norms, offering a diverse curriculum that blends non-traditional, non-academic, and academic subjects.
Key Characteristics:
- Learning for Life Philosophy: Rooted in the essence of folk high schools, Bakketun emphasizes learning for life, fostering individual, social, and academic growth within a nurturing small community.
- Community Living: The heart of Bakketun lies in the community it forms – a tight-knit group where students live on campus, engaging closely with peers and staff both inside and outside the classroom.
- Civic Learning: At Bakketun, civic learning is a cornerstone of our pedagogy, instilling a sense of social responsibility in every student.
Vibrant Academic Environment:
- Approximately 90 students and a dedicated team of 33 employees create a vibrant learning community.
- Courses span a wide range, from sports, outdoors, music, sound technology, theatre, film, art to global studies,
- Weekly common subjects such as society involvement, sports/outdoor activities, and social pedagogics ensure a holistic educational experience.
- A unique day where students can choose from a variety of subjects like cooking, ceramics, indigenous rights, climbing, hiking, and more adds depth to the curriculum.
Specialized Class "Global Forståelse":
- Led by Johanne Ottilie Espe, this class seamlessly combines anthropology, sociology, human rights, environmental issues, and society involvement with a dual focus on local and global matters.
- The incorporation of outdoor activities adds variety to lessons and contributes to building a positive class environment.
Bakketun folk high school, with its deeply rooted traditions and values, emerges as a partner organization that goes beyond conventional education. Together, we embark on a journey of holistic growth, where every student's potential is nurtured in a supportive community that values both civic and outdoor learning.
Germany
HochDrei e.V.
Introducing Hoch Drei e.V., a dynamic educational organization dedicated to fostering political awareness and active citizenship. Our primary goal is to champion diversity, gender democracy, participation, self-organization, and social responsibility on an international scale.
Our Focus Areas:
- Civic education seminars for older children, teenagers, and young adults
- Practical workshops promoting active participation
- International youth exchanges for building tolerance, language skills, and self-confidence
- Professional training for youth work practitioners
- Inclusive education, ensuring opportunities for all, regardless of background
International Collaboration:
- Platforms for exchange, encouraging positive approaches to diversity
- Acknowledging and respecting various cultures, social backgrounds, and life concepts
- Two centrally located buildings, "Hochllandhaus," accommodating up to 70 people
- Collaboration with educational institutions, providing spaces for diverse seminars
- Strategic location on the waterside promenade of the river Havel, near the cultural district "Schiffbauergasse"
Collaborative Projects:
- Partnerships with local initiatives in Potsdam and surrounding areas
- Successful collaborations with organizations across Germany and abroad
- Key partners include institutions from Poland, France, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Spain, and beyond
- International team with a CEO, four colleagues managing educational projects, and support staff for administration and domestic management
Team Structure:
- Collaborative effort with freelance trainers, interpreters, and volunteers
- Established in 1998, Hoch Drei e.V. has been at the forefront of extracurricular youth education in Potsdam and the Brandenburg area
At Hoch Drei, we are not just an educational organization; we are a hub for cultivating global citizenship and empowering individuals to actively engage in shaping a diverse and inclusive society. Join us in our commitment to building a future where every voice is heard, and every perspective matters.
Romania
New Horizon Foundation
Welcome to New Horizons Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Lupeni, Hunedoara County, Romania. We are dedicated to running impactful non-formal education programs, both nationally and internationally, with a primary focus on youth, teachers, and schools.
Our Key Programs:
1. VIATA Camp: More than just a recreational space, VIATA Camp has brought together around 15,000 participants, providing not only entertainment but a transformative life experience. This adventure education camp utilizes experiential learning to instill life skills and positive values among young people.
2. IMPACT Program: As part of an international network of Community Initiative Clubs for Youth, this program fosters community engagement and youth initiatives globally.
3. Architects of Education: Transforming the educational landscape, this program collaborates with youth, teachers, school principals, and volunteers to bring about positive change in the educational system.
4. Community Schools: Working to create an environment that encourages community development through educational initiatives.
5. Semester Abroad Program: Offering a unique educational experience for students to broaden their horizons through immersive learning.
Our participants, comprising youth workers and outdoor enthusiasts, are actively engaged in ongoing professional and personal development. They work with youth in schools, particularly in after-hours programs and summer camps, focusing on the Jiu Valley—a former mining area undergoing redevelopment. Our mission is rooted in the belief in the transformative power of education, aiming to empower young people to become better, stronger, and wiser.