EN
From 12 to 14 June 2026, the third edition of the three-day educational workshops was held as part of the project “CARPATHIAN YOUTH FOR ECO SMART EDUCATION” / “Bieszczady Biodiversity – Three-Day Educational Workshops for Children”.
The workshops were attended by 32 pupils from grades 2–6 of Primary School No. 1 named after Saint Queen Jadwiga in Jarosław, Primary School No. 4 named after Stefan Żeromski in Jarosław, Primary School No. 10 named after the Polish Army in Jarosław, and the Primary School in Mirocin. The trip was organized within the framework of the Youth4EcoEdu project, funded by the Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine Programme.
The aim of the workshops was to raise participants’ environmental awareness, introduce them to the unique natural heritage of the Bieszczady Mountains, and foster a sense of responsibility for the natural environment through field activities, nature observations, and active environmental education. The workshops took place within the Bieszczady National Park and its immediate surroundings, providing participants with direct contact with the Carpathian natural environment and an opportunity to explore the region’s diverse ecosystems.
The first day of the workshops was dedicated to participant integration and preparation for safe exploration of the mountain environment. During field activities, the children learned about the principles of safe hiking, proper preparation for mountain trips, and the appropriate selection of equipment and clothing suited to changing weather conditions. These activities provided an introduction to the biodiversity of the Carpathians and encouraged participants to actively discover the natural heritage of the Bieszczady Mountains.
The second day of the workshops began with four hours of educational activities conducted by educators from the Bieszczady National Park. Participants expanded their knowledge of nature conservation, biodiversity, and the functioning of valuable ecosystems found in the Bieszczady region. The workshops provided a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental protection and the role of protected areas in preserving the region’s rich natural heritage.
The highlight of the day was a hike to the Wetlińska Mountain Meadow (Połonina Wetlińska) and the ascent of Hasiakowa Skała (1,228 m above sea level), near which the Chatka Puchatka mountain shelter is located. The hike gave participants an opportunity to admire the unique landscapes of the Bieszczady Mountains, improve their physical fitness, and develop teamwork skills. The day concluded with an integration bonfire, during which participants roasted sausages and potatoes and enjoyed spending time together through music and outdoor activities.
The final day of the workshops was devoted to practical field orientation training. Participants worked with maps and compasses, learning the basics of navigation and applying their newly acquired skills during outdoor exercises. The activities were designed to foster independence, teamwork, and the ability to move safely and responsibly in a natural environment.
The workshops concluded with a mountain hike to the summit of Mirki (707 m above sea level). Despite the variable weather conditions typical of the Bieszczady Mountains, participants enthusiastically completed a series of field tasks, gaining new experiences and further expanding their knowledge of the region’s natural environment.
The three-day workshops provided participants with an opportunity to acquire environmental knowledge through direct contact with nature and hands-on field activities. The children developed their ecological awareness, learned about environmental protection, and gained a greater sense of responsibility for the natural world around them. Once again, the trip demonstrated that the Bieszczady Mountains offer an exceptional setting for modern environmental education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience and outdoor learning.
Project value: EUR 1,816,847.22
Funding: EUR 1,632,618.93
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Fundraising Department
State University of Applied
Sciences in Jaroslaw
