The annual 'Camp Philia' event which is hold in a different country each year, is a cross cultural European camp for young people between the age 15 and 17 years old.
It started all in Greece where also the name Philia comes from. If you translate it into English you come to the word "Friendship" and that is one of the most important ingredients to make the camp succesful and each year it works.
The purpose of the event is bringing people close together and learning them about all the different people and cultures you have in the world.
You learn that just 2000 km away from you or a 3h flight the people have other habits and some are happier while the have less to spent as somebody else.
For some people the camp is a real addiction, some started as a paticipant and went on as leader and still are going on and you can't imagine what the camps will be like whe she/he isn't around. There are also some who went 3 times in a row and wont go next year because they are to old and the country already has a leader who goes to the camp for many years.
Because the camp is held in different countries each year you get a different program each time.
Some time you'll be in a woody enviorment and be climbing trees and mountains and the next year you'll be at the seaside where you'll be on the water most of the time.
Next year the camp will be held in Portugal. The country of sun, mystic, pure nature and friendly people. The camp is situated in the middle of the country, at the bottom of the beautifull Lousã-mountains. You'll be joining at different outdoor-sportactivities and excursions. All ingredients are there for a beautifull 2 weeks of adventure and new friendships.
There is also the possebility of staying 3 extra nights at the YMCA of Lisboa, where you can meet the whole world at one spot: The EXPO '98.
If you want more information contact your Local YMCA.
If there is no YMCA near you take a look at
World Alliance of YMCAs or theEuropean Alliance of YMCAs 
[email protected]
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