Ecological education camps

"Montana" week-end camp Seven day "Montana Bronze" camp Seven day "Montana Silver" camp Seven day "Montana Gold" camp Ten day "Montana Premium" camp Thematic camps are a good way of learning. Professional Team offers you the possibility of learning in ecological education camps. In these camps we want to show you the nature and wildlife of the Piatra Craiului National Park in order to understand the necessity of biodiversity conservation. We will train you in hiking, climbing, horse riding, caving, the ABC of survival and mountain orientation.

Essential equipment and clothing needed Besides ordinary travelling clothes you will also need: a small backpack, comfortable walking boots with good ankle support, water bottle, waterproof jacket and warm sweater, sunglasses, sunscreen and sun hat. Medical and Health Requirements To the best of our knowledge the Romanian Government does not currently require you to have any special vaccinations. Please consult your family doctor (G.P.) before your visit to Romania. All our activities imply physical effort, walking long distances at medium and high altitudes and possibly climbing. Please check with your doctor if your health allows you to participate! Participants must be at least 10 years old. Participants under age must have parents’ written agreement. You must have travel insurance which must include: - Accident and medical treatment - Medical repatriation - Loss of or theft of baggage, personal belongings, money, credit cards, etc. - Cancellation, curtailment or change to programme You must ensure that your insurance is suitable for adventure activities such as: climbing, abseiling, horse riding, skiing, high altitude hiking, or any other activity as specified in the programme itinerary.

SEVEN DAY "MONTANA GOLD" CAMP

Description:

“Montana Gold” is a one week camp (seven days). The participants will be trained in climbing, horse riding, ecological education, ABC of survival and mountain orientation with or without compass. We want encourage participants to get back to nature and traditional values by spending time outside in the open air. We will help them to develop their hiking skills on medium and high level mountain paths in the Piatra Craiului National Park.

We will visit several places of cultural interest: Bran Castle (mythically linked with Dracula), Rasnov Saxon Fortress, the Black Church and the old Saxon city centre of Brasov.

Participants will be split into teams, each with a name and mascot chosen by the team members. There will be an inter-team competition with prizes, on the last day.

Accommodation will be at a luxury guesthouse on the edge of the Piatra Craiului National Park.

Optional extras:

bear watching observatory available any evening (must be booked in advance) minimum three and maximum eight persons per evening.

Itinerary:

Monday: 09.00 - meet at Bucuresti Otopeni airport, transfer by minibus and accommodate at guesthouse 12.00 - lunch 13.00 - acclimatisation to local area and visit to a traditional local farmstead 15.00 - personal presentations of participants and team building 19.00 - dinner Note: It is suggested that participants arrange their flights to arrive on Sunday or early on the Monday morning.

Tuesday: Horse riding / mountain orientation workshops 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - walk to the horse riding / mountain orientation workshops (part 1) 12.00 - picnic 13.00 - horse riding / mountain orientation workshops (part 2) 17.00 - walk back to guesthouse 19.00 - dinner

For the horse riding / mountain orientation workshops, the participants will be divided into two groups as follows: in the morning the first group goes riding while the second group takes part in the mountain orientation workshops; in the afternoon the two groups swap activities.

Mountain Orientation Workshops comprise interactive games, in which participants are taught orientation with and without map and compass, Romanian footpath marking and the ABC’s of survival.

Wednesday: Cultural programme 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - visits by minibus to Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and the old fortified city of Brasov. Picnic lunch on route 16.30 - return by road to guesthouse 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse

Thursday: Ecological workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - full day hike: Magura - Zarnesti Gorge - Piatra Craiului National Park ecological path - Curmatura Chalet - Crapatura Pass - yellow triangle path - Magura. Picnic lunch on route 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse

Friday: Mountain trekking workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - full day hike: Magura - Zarnesti Gorge - Curmatura Chalet - Crapatura Pass - Piatra Mica Peak - Zanoaga Glade - Botorog spring - back to guesthouse. Picnic lunch on route 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse

Saturday: Climbing workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - walk to the Zarnesti Gorge 09.15 - climbing training workshops: use of safety equipment (helmet, harness, ropes, etc.), climbing, abseiling, Indian bridge, crossing with safety rope. Picnic lunch on route 17.30 - walk back to guesthouse 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse 21.00 - camp fire - sharing stories and experiences

Sunday: 08.00 - breakfast 09.00 - inter-team competition with prizes 12.00 - lunch 13.00 - award of prizes to the best team 16.00 - depart to Bucuresti Otopeni airport by minibus Note: Participants will be dropped off at the airport to make their own way home.

Price: 693 EURO per person

The Camp will operate with a minimum of 15 participants and a maximum of 30. Applications are accepted from individual participants and groups. Participants will be added to a list until the minimum number has been reached. At this point a deposit will be requested.

Includes:
Six nights full-board accommodation (twin or dormitory room - single sex) in a luxury guesthouse, a specialised guide on the Ecological Education Path designed by the Piatra Craiului National Park Administration, specialised trainers for mountain orientation, horse riding, and climbing, prizes, transfer from/to airport, local transport, cultural visits as described.

Optional extras (supplements apply - details on request):
bear watching observatory: available any evening (must be booked in advance) minimum three and maximum eight persons per evening.