Wildlife Summer Camp for Teenagers in Nymfaio by YMCA Thessaloniki and ARCTUROS

24–30 August 2026 | A unique field experience in wildlife research

This August, YMCA Thessaloniki and ARCTUROS are joining forces to launch a special Wildlife Summer Camp for teenagers aged 14–17 in the beautiful village of Nymfaio, northern Greece.

Designed for young people who love nature, adventure and discovery, the camp offers a unique opportunity to experience wildlife conservation first-hand through field-based learning, practical activities and camp life, under the guidance of ARCTUROS researchers.

From 24 to 30 August 2026, 20 teenagers will take part in a seven-day programme that combines the spirit of summer camp with real-world exposure to wildlife research and conservation. Participants will stay at the YMCA camp facilities in Nymfaio, and after the daily educational sessions they will also take part in organised afternoon camp activities. Alongside the educational content, the programme encourages teamwork, collaboration and the development of personal and social skills.

The camp places strong emphasis on hands-on learning. Rather than simply learning about wildlife conservation in theory, participants will engage in activities that reflect real field and office practices used in monitoring and managing wildlife.

As part of the programme, participants will join two field sessions, where they will explore trails and natural routes, learn how to identify and record animal tracks and other wildlife signs, and become familiar with the use of wildlife cameras, including how they are installed, checked and used for data collection.

They will also take part in a session focused on the care and rehabilitation of wild animals at the ARCTUROS International Environmental Centre, gaining insight into the daily demands of wildlife protection and animal welfare. Another session will focus on human-wildlife interactions, introducing participants to prevention and mitigation methods such as electric fencing, deterrent devices and the use of Greek Shepherd Dogs.

In addition, the programme includes a data management session, during which participants will work with computers to transfer and enter data collected during the field activities into a database. This will help them understand how field information is organised and used as part of wildlife monitoring and research.

Through this experience, teenagers will gain a better understanding of how observation, research, technology, animal care and the management of human-wildlife interactions come together in practice. The Wildlife Summer Camp is designed to inspire, educate and offer young participants a meaningful and memorable connection with nature and conservation.

Programme Information

Dates: 24–30 August 2026
Duration: 7 days | Full-day programme
Participants: 20
Age group: 14–17 years old
(final-year lower secondary students, upper secondary students and IB students)
Accommodation: YMCA camp facilities in Nymfaio
Afternoon activities: Organised camp activities after the end of the daily educational programme
Participation fee: €950
Registrations open: 16 March

How to apply

Interested participants can complete the application form through YMCA Thessaloniki and deposit the participation fee into one of the YMCA bank accounts, using the following payment reference: wildlifecamp_First Name Last Name.

Proof of payment should then be sent to: p.gouliamtzis@ymca.gr

Contact Information

YMCA Thessaloniki – Camps & International Relations Department
Tel.: +30 231 600 1000 (extensions 850, 852, 855)
Email: p.gouliamtzis@ymca.gr

A unique experience for young people who want to explore nature first-hand.