Tășuleasa Camp

Tășuleasa, Piatra Fântânele

July 2nd - 9th, 2022

Age Group: 12-18 year olds

There's no better way to learn volunteering, respect for nature, and civic courage than joining the Tășuleasa Social camp. For 21 years, the association has been leading projects meant to pass these values to youngsters. One of the best ways for them to experience Tășu life is by taking part in a summer camp, offered in partnership with Romanian United Fund.

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Required Documents

• RUF: Registration Form (bit.ly/rufcampform)
• Tășuleasa: Acord Participare
• Tășuleasa: Contract Voluntariat
• Tășuleasa: Fisa Post Voluntar

IMPORTANT: All documents should be email directly to [email protected], and CC-ed to [email protected].

More Information

Address:

    Tasuleasa Camp   

    Str. Obcioara, nr. 97, Piatra Fantanele

    Comuna Tiha Bargaului, Bistrita-Nasaud

Camp cost: $400 (does not include transportation). Pay here.

Availability: 2x12 groups of children, 12-15 and 15-18 respectively

Useful Links

Parent Whatsapp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrfraeLNjkR0pJTeggVLjN

Learn more about all our Trips to Romania, or about our Excellence Center.

Camp Description

There aren’t better words to describe Tășuleasa Social than volunteering, respect for nature, education through examples, and civic courage. For 21 years, the association has been leading projects meant to pass these values to youngsters. One of the best ways for them to experience Tășu life is by taking part in a summer camp. We propose the concept of “Ro-connecting” with the purpose of facilitating the connection or reconnection between youngsters and Romania’s nature, culture, and social life reality. This is based on 4 areas of interest.

1. We learn about nature

Children and young adults learn about nature in the Pedagogical Forest. It is one of the most loved projects that Tășuleasa Social has ever made. It is a unique project both in Romania and Eastern Europe. Here, young people learn interactively, with the help of no less than 29 elements, about the relationship between people and nature, the circuit of water in nature, the society of trees, and many more. The activities in the Pedagogical Forest are held by Tășu volunteers, so the interaction between youngsters is maximum. Besides learning about nature, games and team-building specific activities are held in the Pedagogical Forest, with the aim of improving communication and teamwork.

2. Volunteering: an essential part of our life

We consider that volunteering is something that each and everyone should do at a point in their life. It is also one of the values that we have been promoting for 21 years. So, during camp days, the participants will take part in volunteering activities (extending the Pedagogical Forest, building a road, maintenance activities, greenings, and trail maintenance) both in the Tășuleasa Social campus and on the Via Transilvanica Trail.

3. Via Transilvanica: diversity and charm

Via Transilvanica is our largest and largest project to date. The route covers 1,400 km and passes through all the cultural, historical, and natural areas of Transylvania. To encourage people to set off, we built a “try-on” route. It is a 42 km circuit that starts and returns to the Tășuleasa Social campus. Although it is significantly shorter, it is no less impressive than its older sister trail. We propose hikes on this route to let the participants get a little taste of a long-distance trail (we do not exclude hiking other parts of the trail). At the same time, the circuit passes through villages and mountain villages, places where people live according to old traditions and customs. Thus, young people can also experience the reality of the rural social life in Romania.

4. Opening towards culture

Last but not least, the opportunity to get closer to another culture is an important step in the development of a young person. Therefore, we have in mind a Romanian cultural program at the end of each camp day. Movies, literature, and music are just some of the topics that will be addressed and then debated.

Organization:

• We work the best with groups of 24 people.

• The age groups we work with are 12-15 years old and 15-18 years old.

• The group can be comprised of a single age group or it can be a mixed one, 12 of the children being 12-15 and the others 15-18.

• The group can have both Romanian-American children and their American friends, who are more than welcomed if interested.

Facilities:

• The Tășuleasa Social campus

• Accommodation in 2 mountain cottages with 12 beds each; each cottage has its own bathroom

• A sanitary house ( 3 showers - one for disabled people; 3 toilets; washing machines; clothes dryer)

• A 60 seat dining room; it can also be used as a meeting room or for indoor activities

• A stage

• The Pedagogical Forest

• 2 Toyota Landcruiser SUVs & 1 UTV ( dune buggy)

• The materials and logistic support for specific workshops

We have a crew of 10 English speaking volunteers and we promise you lots of fun and unforgettable moments.

Math for the Champions! Are you ready to take your Math skills to the next level? Prepare for competition? This class is for you.

We teach kids Math while preparing them for a real world contest: the MK2022 test will take place on March 17, 2022.

This Spring, we have 8 teachers and 10 Kangaroo Math classes for Romanian American kids grades 1-8! Kangaroo Math is an international Mathematics contest that takes place in March. Millions of children around the world participate in Kangaroo every year.

We have openings for:
   * First and Second Grade: 1 class; Teacher Mirela Birta, every Saturday, 11:00-11:45 AM CST, starting January 15th 
   * Fifth and Sixth Grade: 1 class; Teacher Alex Turik, every Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 PM CST, starting January 18th 

Unfortunately, all other grades are full. Signing up does not guarantee placement.

Who should join this class:

• Competitive Students (1st - 8th grade) who ❤️Math
• Awesome Math 📈Teachers 👋

We are here to show you that MATH = FUN.

We encourage academic excellence in mathematics and prepare students to compete in the Kangaroo Math contest. The contest problems are provocative, require great deal of attention and creative thinking, and cover interesting mathematical concepts. They aim to show the beauty of mathematics and, thus, increase the appreciation of mathematics. We believe many children are not challenged enough in the school system. This is why we offer mathematics enrichment programs accessible to all children. Even challenging mathematics can be taught in an interesting and fun way!

In this class, you will learn how to think. You will learn how to learn. You will learn how to tackle any problem.

Program Highlights:

• Our competition curriculum is highly engaging, non-repetitive and very different from school Math

• Our battery of Math Kangaroo tests focuses on logical, out of the box critical thinking

• You will gain real world problem solving skills

• You will make new friends and have a little bit of fun

• You will receive a certificate from RUF to recognize your success

Curriculum: Kangaroo Math 1-8 Grade Competition Level. Class groups are roughly matching grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8.

Trust us, this Math is fun, you will find it both challenging and engaging.

Timeframe: Jan 15 - April 15 (12 sessions)

* days of week subject to change

Register Here

Meet the Teacher(s)

Ligia Apostoaia

First and Second Grade

Ligia’s charity involvement began at a very young age, helping her family foundation with the distribution of humanitarian aid to the families in need in the area immediately. Today she continues to do what she is most passionate about: doing good.

@Ligia_Chicago

Laura Bercean

Third and Fourth Grade

Laura lives in Key West with her family, including her 3 children Andrei, Thea, and Nyssa. Laura has been working with SOS Mission, a nonprofit focused on helping homeless people and poor families. She believes all Romanians should work together.

Julia Laine

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Ioana returns to RUF this semester, in her second year of teaching. She lives in Tampa, Florida with her two kids and her husband. She believes teaching should be fun and engaging and she is super proud to be one of the first RUF Math Teachers.

www.facebook.com/Ioana-Laine

Mihai Lehene

Seventh and Eighth Grade

Mihai has been teaching Mathematics and Computer Science as a volunteer for 7 years. As a teenager in Romania, he grew up loving Mathematics, and his teachers inspired him and changed his life forever. Today, he dedicates his life to educating and inspiring people, especially young kids, to be the best version of themselves, by learning something new every day. 

twitter.com/mlehene

@mlehene

Mirela Birta

First and Second Grade

As a child growing up in Romania, she often accompanied her mother to help children with special needs at a local orphanage and neighborhood school.These experiences later influenced her to co-found Spera Foundation to help underprivileged children to continue their education. She grew up loving mathematics. Today she continues to provide opportunities to children to continue their education and achieve academic excellence, and ultimately make a positive impact in their communities.

https://www.facebook.com/mirela.birta.7

Alex Turik

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Alex grew up with math. When he was a little kid his Dad, who is a mathematician himself, instead of reading him bedtime stories used to put him to sleep by reading him long probability and statistics problems. Alex loves sharing his passion of math with kids and bringing math to life by mixing math with real life situations. He has 3 kids and he enjoys playing mental math games with them while they ride in a car. 

twitter.com/hancapital

@hancapital

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Math for the Champions! Are you ready to take your Math skills to the next level? Prepare for competition? This class is for you.

We are looking for:

• Competitive Students (1st - 8th grade) who ❤️Math
• Awesome Math 📈Teachers 👋

We are here to show you that MATH = FUN.

We encourage academic excellence in mathematics and prepare students to compete in the Kangaroo Math contest. The contest problems are provocative, require great deal of attention and creative thinking, and cover interesting mathematical concepts. They aim to show the beauty of mathematics and, thus, increase the appreciation of mathematics. We believe many children are not challenged enough in the school system. This is why we offer mathematics enrichment programs accessible to all children. Even challenging mathematics can be taught in an interesting and fun way!

In this class, you will learn how to think. You will learn how to learn. You will learn how to tackle any problem.

Program Highlights

• MK classes are highly engaging and non-repetitive

• Tests focus on logical, out of the box critical thinking

• You will receive a certificate from RUF to recognize your success

• You will gain real world problem solving skills

• You will make new friends and have a little bit of fun

Curriculum: Kangaroo Math 1-8 Grade Competition Level.

Trust us, this Math is fun, you will find it both challenging and engaging.

Timeframe: Sep 20 - Dec 20 (3 months)

* days of week subject to change

Register Here

Meet the Teacher(s)

Ligia Apostoaia

First and Second Grade

Ligia’s charity involvement began at a very young age, helping her family foundation with the distribution of humanitarian aid to the families in need in the area immediately. Today she continues to do what she is most passionate about: doing good.

@Ligia_Chicago

Laura Bercean

Third and Fourth Grade

Laura lives in Key West with her family, including her 3 children Andrei, Thea, and Nyssa. Laura has been working with SOS Mission, a nonprofit focused on helping homeless people and poor families. She believes all Romanians should work together.

Julia Laine

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Ioana returns to RUF this semester, in her second year of teaching. She lives in Tampa, Florida with her two kids and her husband. She believes teaching should be fun and engaging and she is super proud to be one of the first RUF Math Teachers.

www.facebook.com/Ioana-Laine

Mihai Lehene

Seventh and Eighth Grade

Mihai has been teaching Mathematics and Computer Science as a volunteer for 7 years. As a teenager in Romania, he grew up loving Mathematics, and his teachers inspired him and changed his life forever. Today, he dedicates his life to educating and inspiring people, especially young kids, to be the best version of themselves, by learning something new every day. 

twitter.com/mlehene

@mlehene

Do you like this page?

Tweet

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Fall Meet & Greet Session

Monday, September 13, 2021, 5:30 PM CST

Bring your kids and enjoy a fun and relaxed discussion about class.

Sign up for the meet & greet only

Class Type and Format

Every Wednesday, 5-6PM CST on Zoom (Click Here, password provided in your welcome email) 

Class modules

• Months 1-3: Drawing (12 sessions) 
  • Target Audience: 8-16
• Months 4-6: Animation (12 sessions) 
  • Target Audience: 10-16
• Follow up:
  • Advanced students can join our private Game Building class (4 sessions + 8 Q&A sessions)

Register here

Meet the Teachers

Eli Katz

Volunteer Teacher since 2020

Eli is a professional software developer in Chicago and has been teaching computer programming with RUF since April 2020. He is excited to promote curiosity and interest in STEM fields and inspire children in an engaging and fun class.

Mihai Lehene

President and Founding Member of RUF

Mihai is a Founding Member and the President of RUF. Passionate and caring, Mihai’s goal is to inspire all around him to be better and help each other, especially his fellow Romanian Americans.

twitter.com/mlehene

@mlehene

Learn more about Drawing and Animation Program for 10 to 14 Year Olds.

Previous Class: September 2020

Review Class Materials: 

• https://www.romanianunitedfund.org/little_programmers_class_of_may_2021

Previous Class: March 2020

27 children started our March 2020 Module. By the end of the first 12 lessons, there were all able to draw, and some were able to do basic animations.

After a little over two months, with just a little help, the kids were able to create their own little game. Play our game on Khan Academy, and keep an eye on our Youtube channel for the latest version.

Module starte Jan, 2021 >>  Sign Up/Learn More

Class webpage:

• https://www.romanianunitedfund.org/little_programmers_intro_to_python_advanced_class

Class starts: Nov 25, 2020 (24 weeks)

Class type: Zoom

Class Teachers: Mihai Lehene & Eli Katz

Class modules:

• Drawing (12 sessions)
• Animation (12 sessions)
• Game Building (4 sessions + 8 Q&A sessions)

Class of Sep 2020

27 children started our March 2020 Module. By the end of the first 12 lessons, there were all able to draw, and some were able to do basic animations.

After a little over two months, with just a little help, the kids were able to create their own little game. Play our game on Khan Academy, and keep an eye on our Youtube channel for the latest version.