Want to learn about the benefits of our courses? Click here: https://smokinya.com/testimonials/
Hello! Welcome to the Wild Vibes recap. Since February 2025, we hosted 7 young people for 3 months and more in Mrachenik, rural village in the Sredna Gora region. All working together to renovate an old school into a volunteering and training center while connecting with rural life and locals.
We currently have two volunteer staying for 6-12 months and nine others staying for 3 months this summer!
If you wanna join, all the details are HERE
You can already apply HERE
We will cover weekly progress through the so-called “Weekly Recaps”. Here we will give a brief overview of what is happening in this little village called Mrachenik and report on our experiences.
ВАЖНО! Първо прочетете наръчника за успешно кандидатстване.
Vitality Vibes Camp: The Beginning of Three Unforgettable Weeks
17 August – Getting Everything Ready
17 August was one of those classic days for volunteers at Smokinya. We woke up at 5 AM, full of energy and ready to work. But this time, something was different.
Instead of pulling weeds, cutting wood, and doing the usual outdoor work, we were cleaning the school, building tents, and preparing the outdoor area for something much bigger.
Everyone was working hard. We were vacuuming, putting up signs for the rooms, mopping floors, moving heavy furniture, and getting rid of every single spiderweb we could find. Outside, the area was carefully cleaned and prepared as well. We pulled weeds, rebuilt benches, and set up the dining area.
Meanwhile, Chef Dario and his kitchen team were getting the kitchen ready. They organised everything so perfectly that, honestly, once you walked inside, you could easily get lost!
Personally, I was busy making reels and taking care of social media, since most of the team had just returned from their holidays.
But there was still one question in my head:
Why are we cleaning this whole place?
The answer?
For our new group of 15 volunteers!
And suddenly, all the hard work made sense.
18 August – The Final Touches
18 August was more or less our finishing day. We took care of all the little things we hadn’t managed to finish the day before and went around the school making the final touches to make sure everything was ready.
One of the most fun tasks was creating a welcoming video for our new volunteers. We had a great time making it and, of course, it reminded
us of the welcoming video that Gas and Sam had made for us in the past.
I also have to introduce the amazing team of seven leaders who would be responsible for the camp during these three weeks:
Leo and Vic – coordinators of the whole camp
Dario – kitchen and food manager
Gas – cleaning and time manager
Pierre – tools and materials manager
Sam – media manager, DJ and nurse
Nadya and Louis – support team
As time passed, the participants finally started arriving. Our exclusive driver Leo picked them up in Karlovo and drove them to Mrachenik,
giving them their very own private chauffeur experience.
First impressions. First thoughts.
And for all of them, their first time in Mrachenik.
19 August – Let the Vitality Vibes Begin!
The first day of Vitality Vibes Camp had finally arrived!
We started with onboarding, introductions to Smokinya, and an explanation of our main goals. The team introduced their roles and responsibilities and explained how everything works during the camp.
Then came the less exciting part: paperwork. Forms were filled in, travel documents were collected, and tickets were checked.
But after that came one of the greatest lunches we had ever experienced, prepared by our exclusive Chef Dario. And once everyone was properly fed, the real activities could begin!
Our first challenge was Mission Possible. The volunteers had to work together as one team and complete a series of seemingly impossible
tasks.
And guess what?
They managed to complete almost all of them! They missed only two tasks, which is honestly an amazing result. Great job!
We also created an introduction reel with all our new and old volunteers, so make sure to check it out on our Instagram and Facebook!
Later, Vic led a workshop focused on teamwork and building a strong group identity. The goal was simple: to turn a group of strangers into one big family.
After dinner, Gas took the new volunteers to one of the most amazing places in Mrachenik — the Cross on the Hill.
We watched the sunset together, talked, relaxed, and finally had a moment to take in where we were and what was waiting for us during the next three weeks.
20 August – Three Roles, One Team
Thursday morning started with an energizer led by me. After breakfast, it was time to wake everyone up, get moving, and bring some energy into the morning.
Next, Vic introduced the volunteers to a very interesting three-role activity. They learned about being a Player, Coach, and Commentator, each role bringing a different perspective and responsibility.
After that came the Wheel of Youth activity.
Each volunteer created their own wheel and reflected on the areas they wanted to improve, the things they wanted to learn, and the experiences they hoped to have during these three weeks.
After several long days of travelling, onboarding, meeting new people, and taking in a lot of new information, it was finally time to slow down.
Time to rest.
Time to talk.
And, of course, time to eat together.
21 August – Tools, Heat & Real Work
It’s Friday again!
The team prepared a practical workshop all about tools. How to use them, how not to use them, what they are used for, and how to work with them safely.
The volunteers had the chance to try almost every tool we use at Smokinya — from pickaxes, hammers, and wheelbarrows to crowbars and many others.
For some of them, it was their first time ever using these tools. Others were already pros. But the most important thing was that everyone had fun while learning something new.
And then the real work began.
The team dressed up as elderly people speaking their native languages, while the volunteers had to figure out what needed to be done.
The tasks included pulling weeds, cleaning roads, and cutting leaves.
And the heat?
Absolutely brutal.
But despite the extreme temperatures, everyone kept going and the work was completed without any major problems.
After a full day of working, sweating, lifting, cutting, pulling, and learning, it was finally time to put away the scissors, rakes, shovels, and other tools.
The first weekend together was waiting for us.
And what better place to spend it than the magnificent village of Mrachenik?
The bells were ringing, the sun was going down, and our first few days of Vitality Vibes Camp had come to an end.
But this was only the beginning.
Three weeks. Fifteen volunteers. One team. One adventure.
And many more stories still to come.
IMPORTANT
Come in person to learn about Smokinya, Erasmus+, this project, reimbursement and ask your questions.
Participation is obligatory, an option is to join via Skype / Hangouts apps.
Read more details in the infopack.
Important! Read carefully the info letter, it contains important details.
This is learning program funded by Erasmus+ programme.
That requires commitment. You will be asked to organise a follow-up activity after the program.
The program is intensive and challenging.
The program does NOT include cultural and touristic sightseeing.
Get to know all provided information in the info letter before you submit your application form.
Apply only when you know you want to participate and you have the dates of the training available.
Travel reimbursement is only sent to those who fully participate in all phases, including the follow-up and dissemination.
General applications are disregarded.
Want to learn about the benefits of our courses? Click here: https://smokinya.com/testimonials/
More information: Info letter
COST AND FEES
This project is funded by ESC program: accommodation, food, materials, the program and the travel costs up to the maximum allowed amount are fully covered. No fees.
Smokinya Foundation operates thanks to hundreds of volunteering hours per month and donations.
Your donation covers some of our administrative and organisational expenses and supports Smokinya Foundation’s dream to establish youth-run international volunteering and training centre.
Should you have a question, contact us: info@smokinya.com.
This program is co-funded by the Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
Финансирано от Европейския съюз. Изразените възгледи и мнения обаче принадлежат изцяло на техния(ите) автор(и) и не отразяват непременно възгледите и мненията на Европейския съюз или на Европейската изпълнителна агенция за образование и култура (EACEA). За тях не носи отговорност нито Европейският съюз, нито EACEA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
