By Sophia Kleinsasser, Rada Kaneva and Filip Lyapov
Summer would not be complete without sleep-away camp, which combines learning and personal development with intense new friendships and tons of fun. Fulbright Bulgaria was glad to bring this time-honored tradition to dozens of Bulgarian high school students in our traditional media and debate camps.
For the fifth consecutive year, Fulbright Bulgaria and the America for Bulgaria Foundation sponsored the sCOOL Media Summer Bootcamp in partnership with the Association of European Journalists—Bulgaria. This year’s camp was held from July 1-8 at Veliko Tarnovo University St. Cyril and St. Methodius for the first time.
A group of 19 inquisitive, insightful students tested their skills through a series of teambuilding exercises, workshops and lectures led by experienced journalists from around the globe. These professionals represent news outlets such as Deutsche Welle, the BBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Guardian, bTV and Radio Free Europe.
Guided by their mentors, our budding journalists were tasked with seeking out newsworthy local stories by exploring Veliko Tarnovo, asking the right questions, thinking on their feet and managing their time well against the kind of real problems journalists face every day.
At the end of the week, seven groups presented their journalistic projects to a jury. The winning groups covered stories about cultural heritage preservation, the challenges facing children with autism in Bulgaria, and Veliko Tarnovo’s green public transport initiative.
Beyond the valuable professional experience and opportunity to have their work published on the sCOOL Media platform, these young journalists also forged friendships and memories that will last for years to come: from the endless memes in the group chat to late nights spent watching football, playing board games or working on projects together, singing karaoke, and even the tearful goodbyes.
Not to be outdone by their journalist counterparts, from August 11-17, 2024, the peaceful village of Lozen became a hub of intellectual energy as 30 speech enthusiasts from 18 schools across Bulgaria gathered for a dynamic debate summer camp.
Under the guidance of four enthusiastic camp counselors and four expert facilitators from the BEST Foundation, the students immersed themselves in a packed schedule of workshops, practice sessions, and thought-provoking discussions. The facilitators brought the debates to life, turning complex topics into engaging challenges that the students tackled with impressive zeal. A highlight of the camp was the inspiring visit from Nikolay Angelov and Rumen Marinov, chair and vice-chair of the Bulgarian Debate Association. They captivated the audience with their journey to the finals of the world debate championship, sharing tips, strategies, and personal anecdotes that left everyone motivated to aim for the stars.
Beyond the rigorous debate sessions, the camp was also about building friendships and having fun. Whether it was through team-building activities, evening bonfires, or just hanging out between sessions, the participants bonded over their shared love of debate and a newfound appreciation for different perspectives.
As for our title question, we can safely conclude that a blast was had by all participants in both camps, so unlike in an official debate, we can declare a tie! Huge thanks to our partners from AEJ-Bulgaria, the BEST Foundation, and the America for Bulgaria Foundation for making these incredible summer camps for the future leaders (and Fulbrighters) of Bulgaria possible!