European visitors
Our visitors came to us from
Hungary andRomania, bringing with them a host of songs, dances and action games
to get us going in the morning. And the Hungarians willingly set about making a
traditional potato dish with paprika for all 150 people on the camp. We all
enjoyed it greatly.
The visit was a return after a Woodcraft Folk delegation went to a camp in
Romania last year. The costs were met by a grant and by a lot of fundraising by
Woodies.
Before the camp, the groups were hosted in families across Gloucestershire.
Events arranged included a party to welcome everyone, a visit to Gloucester and
a trip to a local school. After the camp, they returned to their families for a
few more days, going on a day trip to London and ending with another party that
continued until the early hours of the morning, when they had to get on the
coach to return home. Many tears were shed.
Ada,
one of the Romanian leaders, said the camp was "much more than we expected it
would be."
"Here our children learn to communicate. They find that they are not the victims
of differences," she said. "They feel equal and respected."
Lou Spira, one of the organisers and a host, said the Woodcraft youngsters also
had gained a lot.
"I think there's a lot to learn by young people realising all young people are
the same. They all like to do the same things. They want to share," she said.
"That makes the world seem smaller."