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 SILVER" CAMP

Description:

“Montana Silver” 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 to 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.

A visit will be made to the last traditional blacksmith’s forge in the Barsa Valley.

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 in a comfortable guesthouse at the head of the attractive Plaiul Foii valley, 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 in Brasov, transfer to Plaiul Foii at the head of a beautiful mountain valley and accommodate in guesthouse 10.00 - acclimatisation to camp and surrounding area 11.00 - lunch 12.00 - visit local traditional blacksmith’s forge 13.00 - personal presentation and team building 19.00 - dinner

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: Climbing workshop: 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - walk to “Diana Towers” - an excellent climbing area formed by natural karst erosion 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 17.00 - walk back to guesthouse 19.00 - dinner

Thursday: Mountain trekking workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - full day hike: Plaiul Foii -Spirlea Shelter-Piatra Craiului Shoulder- the Big Scree (optional) - Curmatura Groapelor - Plaiul Foii. Picnic lunch on route 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse

Friday: Mountain trekking workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - full day hike: Plaiul Foii - Diana Shelter - Padina Popii Valley - Piatra Craiului ridge - Brana Caprelor path - Plaiul Foii. Picnic lunch on route 19.00 - dinner at guesthouse

Saturday: Ecological workshop 08.00 - breakfast 08.45 - horse-drawn cart to Zarnesti Gorge 09.30 - Hike via Piatra Craiului National Park ecological trail - Curmatura Chalet -Crapaturii Pass - back to Plaiul Foii. Picnic lunch on route 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

Price: 383 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 comfortable 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 Brasov rail station, local transport.

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.