Dare to be - Documentation blog

 

DARE TO BE 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ERASMUS YOUTH EXCHANGE 

 

Creating a transformative culture 

21.-31.8 Place by the forest, Slovenija 

 

 

 

Friday, 22th August – Afternoon & Evening

In the afternoon, we entered the forest in silence, each of us on our own path. This was not simply a walk, but a conscious step into listening, grounding, and bonding with our roots. The silence gave space for deeper encounters—with ourselves, with the land, and with the subtle voices of nature. Everyone found their own rhythm and direction, leading to meaningful experiences of self-exploration and reflection.

After dinner, we gathered around the fire. In this sacred circle, each participant was invited to reveal a hidden part of themselves by answering the question: “Who is sitting here tonight?” Speaking words out loud, in front of others, gave them new weight and clarity. Listening without interruption, surrounded by flames and forest, connected us more profoundly to one another and to the eco-space that was holding us. The fire became a mirror, and the circle a container for authenticity and truth.

 

Saturday, 23th August

The morning began with a collective effort to divide tasks among ourselves—ensuring the well-being of the group. From preparing meals, to keeping the space organized, to taking care of shared needs, everyone contributed in their own way. It was a beautiful exercise in responsibility and community care, where small actions created harmony for us all.

At 9:30 sharp, we were called into movement. Through creative body expression, we awakened and stretched ourselves into presence. Soon after, we dove into the wisdom of Bill Plotkin’s eco-depth psychology, exploring the four symbolic directions: North, South, East, and West. With this knowledge, we were sent individually into the forest for an hour of self- discovery. Each participant walked at their own pace, sensing which direction resonated most deeply with them—what called them, what felt distant, and what their body and spirit were ready to embrace or release.

The day also brought the formation of support groups—small circles that became our families throughout the exchange. With these groups, we shared reflections at the end of each day, offering a safe space to express emotions, challenges, and gratitude. They became anchors of care and trust, deepening our sense of belonging within the larger group. 

 

Sunday - 24th August

In the morning, we were invited to awaken our bodies through movement with music and to reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level. Afterwards, we worked in pairs, practicing attentive listening by first speaking from the mind and then from the heart. Later, in groups of three, one participant shared personal feelings while the other two responded: one offered a verbal reflection, while the other embodied the emotions through body sensations. We concluded the morning with an exercise in which we moved freely through the space, pausing to meet others with eye contact, gentle touch, or a hug, depending on mutual consent.

In the afternoon, we gathered in nature to explore and relax our voices through various warm- ups and sound–movement exercises. We practiced expressing something important to a partner who did not know our language, relying solely on vocal tone and emotional expression, while the partner attempted to sense the meaning. To close the day, we sang together as a group and engaged in contact improvisation. Each activity was followed by an open space for sharing and reflection.

Finally, in our supportive group, we exchanged impressions and discussed how the day’s experiences affected us personally. 

 

Monday, 25th August

The morning started with dynamic stretching, facilitated by one of the participants who wanted to experience what it feels like to take on the role of a guide. It was a gentle yet playful way to awaken our bodies and bring ourselves into presence, preparing us for the day ahead.

Afterwards, we had the opportunity to choose among three very different, yet equally meaningful activities. One group explored self-defense techniques, learning how to create personal boundaries and feel safe in their bodies. Another group dedicated time to silence and meditation in nature, inspired by Plotkin’s exercises, going deeper into self-reflection and personal spirituality. The third group joined a fermentation workshop, facilitated by a participant, where hands-on practice with vegetables combined activity, patience, and reflection on natural processes. Each path opened a different doorway—towards empowerment, inner peace, or creativity—and all of them enriched the collective experience in their own unique way.

In the afternoon, our focus shifted towards the voice. We spent time warming up, connecting with our breath, and exploring what it means to find our authentic voice. Step by step, we came together as one group, learning a song collectively, playing with sound, rhythm, and movement. Laughter, energy, and joy filled the space as we discovered the beauty of creating something together.

As always, the day closed with our support groups, our little families of these ten days, where we shared how the day had touched us and what intentions we carried forward. 

 

Thursday – 26th of August

Free day

A walk to the lake.
Nature pedagody; invitations from the nature. 

Middle evaluations: sharing our process. 

 

Wednesday – 27th of August

The day began with a refreshing morning awakening of body and mind in nature, accompanied by music. One of the participants guided us through a short series of

physical exercises, gentle stretching, and a relaxing massage routine. This activity created a grounded and positive atmosphere, helping us to start the day with both physical energy and mental clarity.

Afterwards, participants could choose between several parallel activities depending on their personal interests and needs. The options included:
• a workshop on creating natural eco-friendly cosmetic products (such as handmade soap and facial cream), led by our facilitator;
• a group art-therapy session, where creativity was used as a way to express emotions and connect with others;
• practical work in the field, offering a chance to learn more about ecological ways of living and sustainability in practice;
• or simply taking free time for rest and personal reflection.

Following lunch and a short break, the group gathered again for a session focused on the voice and its connection to the body. We started with collective warm-up exercises, learning how to feel vocal vibrations in different parts of the body, and supporting one another in exploring this process.

The session then moved outdoors, where we collectively directed our conscious energy towards establishing a connection with nature. Together we chose a pine tree and sang to it in Serbian, creating a shared moment of harmony and cultural exchange. Afterwards, each participant had individual time in the forest for silent reflection — to experience not only how we observe nature, but also to imagine how nature might be “observing” us.

The final exercise of the day was particularly powerful: in pairs, one participant would enter the forest and act as a transmitter of the tree’s energy, while the other approached silently, asking a question internally. Without words, the “tree-transmitter” would provide a response, channeling what they felt the tree was communicating. This practice encouraged us to deepen our sensitivity, intuition, and sense of non-verbal connection with the environment.

Overall, the day was filled with activities that combined physical awareness, creativity, ecological learning, and a deeper spiritual connection with nature. It allowed us to explore both individual reflection and group experiences, strengthening not only our bond with the environment but also with each other. 

 

Thursdays - 28th of August

The day began with movement and music. Through guided exercises, participants were encouraged to move freely, allowing rhythm to awaken the body and mind. This collective practice helped create a playful and expressive atmosphere and supported connection beyond words.

In the late morning, participants could choose between three parallel workshops:
• a photography workshop, created and led by a participant, which invited others to explore

perspective, storytelling, and creativity through the lens of a camera;
• a relationships and connections workshop, also designed and facilitated by a participant, where no words were spoken. Instead, participants engaged in non-verbal communication through movement, gestures, and touch. The focus was on building trust, establishing boundaries, and exploring human connection without relying on spoken language;
• a permaculture session, guided by the facilitator, where we not only discussed principles of sustainable living but also experienced a living example in the facilitator’s own backyard,

which embodied the practices being taught.

In the afternoon, we gathered for the final voice workshop of the program. The session began with relaxation exercises, where participants helped one another release tension. Then, through “voice massage”, sound vibrations were used to bring calmness and release, helping participants let go of the physical and emotional intensity accumulated throughout the exchange.

The workshop culminated in a collective vocal improvisation, where the whole group joined together. This final practice was not about performance but about releasing everything we had carried and experienced during the previous days. The shared sounds became a way of letting go — of stress, of intensity, and even of unspoken emotions — leaving space for a deeper sense of closure.

Conclusion
This day carried a strong sense of completion. Each activity offered space not only for creativity and learning but also for reflection and release. The final workshops allowed participants to acknowledge the journey they had been on together; with all its intensity, growth, and connection and to let it flow outward through movement, silence, and sound. It was less about “ending” and more about transforming the experience into something we can carry with us: a reminder of the power of community, of non-verbal connection, of nature as a teacher, and of the voice as a tool for both healing and expression. 

 

Friday - 29th of August

The morning began with gentle, playful movement. Step by step, we invited our bodies to wake up—starting with soft stretches, then gradually letting the rhythm of music guide us into freer, livelier dance. It was as if every gesture helped us shake off the sleep and welcome the new day with openness and vitality.

This warm beginning led us into the workshops of the day, where we could choose between two equally inspiring paths. One was a theatrical workshop, facilitated by a participant of the project, full of games and improvisations. It was a space of joy and imagination, where our inner children had the chance to reappear, to laugh, and to play freely. The other was a cooking workshop, where we prepared a traditional grandmother’s tomato sauce, made with fresh tomatoes just harvested from the garden. Between the smell of simmering sauce and the laughter around the stove, this workshop carried both the taste and the warmth of home.

In the afternoon, the mood shifted into reflection and expression. Each participant had two minutes to share something personal—an emotion, a performance, or simply a fragment of themselves—in response to the journey we had all lived together. The atmosphere was charged, balancing between joy for all we had created and sadness for the closeness that would soon transform as the project neared its end.

As every great journey must eventually find its closing, this day reminded us that endings are not only about loss—they are also about cherishing what was lived, and carrying it forward into what comes next.

To conclude, there was also an optional gathering in the sacred hut for those who wished to explore deeper themes: the cosmic order within us, our collaboration with trees and nature, the vision behind the creation of the place where we stayed, as well as reflections on self- discovery, inner strength, and the interplay of past, future, and cosmic energies. It was an open invitation, offering another perspective for those who felt drawn to it.

 

Sunday – 30th of August

The morning began with movement and music, where participants reawakened their bodies and reconnected with the group through simple exercises and rhythm. This gentle activation helped everyone feel present and energized for the final day.

Afterwards, we shifted into a more practical moment, taking time to clarify and organize the logistics of our return journeys to our respective countries. In this space, we also explored the idea of follow-up activities, which each participant is invited to carry out after the exchange, ensuring that the learning and inspiration gained here continue to grow beyond the project. Additionally, we were introduced to the Youthpass, learning about its purpose and how it can serve as a tool to reflect on our personal development throughout the program.

The late morning was dedicated to a personal moment in nature. Each participant spent time individually in the surrounding forest — a place that had been both a friend and a source of support throughout our journey together. This was a time for gratitude and closure: to thank the forest for its presence and to say goodbye to the natural environment that had silently held and inspired us during these days.

In the afternoon, we gathered for a farewell session dedicated to saying goodbye to one another. The activity was structured in a symbolic way: each participant created their own “island,” and others could approach them to speak. This offered space to share anything that felt important — words of appreciation, moments of gratitude, or even unresolved feelings that had perhaps been lingering unspoken in the air. The person receiving these words would remain silent, simply listening. In this way, we revisited and embodied the key practices we had cultivated during the exchange: speaking openly, listening deeply, and holding space for one another.

Finally, the evening was left free for the group to self-organize a closing celebration. Together, participants chose to mark the end of this intense journey not with heavy formality, but with joy, music, and shared presence. It was a final moment to acknowledge everything achieved — the personal growth, the collective discoveries, and the bonds created — and to celebrate them in a way that felt authentic to the group spirit. 

 

Conclusion

The last day of the exchange carried both practical closure and emotional depth. It was a time to prepare for what comes next, while also honoring the path that had been walked together. By saying goodbye to the forest, to each other, and to the structure of the program itself, participants were able to release the intensity of the experience while holding onto its essence. The day ended not with an ending, but with a transformation: the work and connections built here will continue to live on, both within each individual and in the communities they return to.

Once again, thank you immensely for the life changing experience.