Youth Unify Camp 2025  

Empowering, Engaging, and Connecting Young Leaders Across Europe

In August 2025 young people and young leaders from across Europe and beyond gathered at the beautiful YMCA Masaryk’s Camp in Czech Republic for a week of inspiration, friendship, exchange, training and encounter.
We invite you to join and meet 80+ young YMCA volunteers and members from 9+ countries!

Youth Unify is a camp that equips young leaders to serve the YMCA powerfully and effectively.  It is perfect for young people, volunteers and staff from local YMCAs and also those working in national or international contexts.  Our programme is made up of Christian spirituality, high quality leadership training and many opportunities for connecting and developing friendships.

YMCA Youth Unify Camp 2025 was an international youth exchange organised by YMCA in the Czech Republic in cooperation with YMCA partners across Europe. The camp brought together young YMCA volunteers and youth leaders from more than nine European countries for a week of learning, connection, and shared experience.

The main aim of Youth Unify Camp was to strengthen leadership capacities of young people, support their personal growth, and create a safe space for intercultural dialogue, cooperation, and friendship. The programme was designed and implemented according to the principle “by youth, for youth”, with young people actively involved not only as participants, but also as facilitators, workshop leaders, and co-creators of the camp.

 What was the camp about?

The programme combined non-formal education and experiential learning. You could experience not only lectures, participants learned by doing, reflecting, and trying new roles in a supportive and friendly environment.

Key topics of the camp included:

• Leadership development and youth empowerment – learning how to lead teams, facilitate activities, and take responsibility in youth work
• Intercultural dialogue and cooperation – meeting people from different countries and backgrounds, overcoming prejudices, and building mutual understanding
• Mental health and well-being – self-care, supporting others, creating safe spaces, and emotional resilience in youth work
• Sustainability – practical approaches to environmental responsibility in camps and youth activities
• Digital safety – responsible behaviour online and protection of oneself and others

The program of the camp included lectures, workshops, small group reflections, creative and sports activities, informal discussions, excursions, interesting evening program. One of the very powerful moments of the camp was for example the “Living Library” evening, where participants shared their personal stories as “living books”. This created a deep atmosphere of empathy, listening, and trust.

Learning at Youth Unify Camp did not stop with the formal programme. A lot of learning also happened during shared meals, evening conversations, games, sports, creative activities, and free time. The campsite offered both social spaces for connection and quiet spaces for reflection and rest, including a chapel and a music studio.

Participants also experienced Czech culture during a dedicated Czech culture night and through excursions and trips in the surrounding area. Walking together in mixed international groups created a natural space for meaningful conversations, exchange of know-how, and building friendships.

Impact and outcomes

Youth Unify Camp 2025 had a strong personal and social impact. Participants reported increased self-confidence, leadership skills, openness towards others, and motivation to stay involved in youth work and volunteering. Many international friendships were formed, and cooperation between YMCA organisations continues beyond the camp. The camp also had a clear multiplying effect: participants brought new ideas, methods, and inspiration back to their local YMCAs, youth clubs, summer camps and all activities.

Key Takeaways

To support dissemination and further learning, we have prepared a document summarising the Key Takeaways from Youth Unify Camp 2025, including main learning outcomes, practical tools, and inspiration for youth work practice.

👉 Download the Key Takeaways from Youth Unify Camp 2025 at the bottom of the page!

 Details

Hosts: YMCA in the Czech Republic

Venue Location: YMCA Masaryk's Camp Soběšín, Beautiful forest and river location 60km from Prague

Dates: 10-16 August 2025 (optional extra tourism day in Prague, 16-17 August)

Ages: Aimed at 14-24 year olds (those older than 24 should participate in a leadership capacity)

Price

Regular Fee: €129
Early Bird Fee: €99 (until end of March 2025)

Thanks Erasmus+ the travel reimbursement is provided.

Background

Mission Statement

 Youth Unify provides a platform for young people to

• • explore faith
  • develop relationships
  • strengthen identity
  • be empowered to serve

History

The first Youth Unify camp was held in Poland in 2015.  Since then events have been held annually in Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia  During the COVID pandemic there were regional mission trips and Youth Unify has supported the running of larger YMCA events across Europe.

Since Youth Unify began we have directly supported the development of young leaders in 20 nations.

Practical details:

The accommodation was in shared cabins and bungalows. It was basic and clean. Participants had the experience of camping in Czech nature but also had a solid roof over their head! You can see the website of the camp here: www.tabor.palacymca.cz
The grounds of the camp were perfect for a variety of sports and water activities.
Here is was our schedule for 2025. It can give you a flavour of the camp. You can also look on our Instagram (@ymcayouthunify) to see content from the camp.

Youth Unify maintains its unique character because it is a camp for young people, led by young people, If you wish to help out with one of our teams at the camp, please write to us at the details below!

 Get in contact

Insta: @ymcayouthunify

Email: ymcayouthunify@gmail.com/ ymca@ymca.cz

Funded by the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) can be held responsible for the content of this event.

Supported also by Lutheran World Foundation.

The camp provided us an opportunity for starting new friendships.