The annual Liberty English Camp took place again at Trakai this year, from 30^th June to 5^th July, in perfect Lithuanian summer weather. Students and teachers from USA, Lithuania, Belarus, Germany, Holland, Canada, and Malaysia converged on this historic town for a week of English classes, discussions, fun, excursions, and the creation and renewal of friendships.

Students

Some 65 students from Lithuania and Belarus participated this year to practice their English knowledge and proficiency. Some students had attended the camp previously and, together with the new students, provided a perfect mix of continuity and dynamism.

Teachers

The same principle of repeat and new faces also applied to the teaching staff, with Sue Kleiman from USA, Jan Narveson from Canada, and Max Nuijens from Holland being the first-timers this year. They joined Jaroslav Romanchuk from Belarus and Andy Eyschen from Malaysia, both LLI Directors and camp instructors in previous years. The teachers met in Vilnius one day prior to the start of the camp for familiarization and briefing. We also had dinner that evening with representatives of the Lithuanian College of Democracy, our local organizing partner for the camp.

Organization

LLI Director Glenn Cripe was the chief organizer this year, ably supported by Egle Kapociute, Virgis Daukas, and Giedre Kvieskiene from Lithuania. During the camp, Martha Stahl from Germany helped Glenn with the organization of events, including the dancing lessons and talent show.

Visitors

We had the pleasure this year to welcome three visitors from the USA -- Mr. Dick Fairchild, grandfather of student Nicholas Valdez, and Dick’s business partner L.R. Martin. Both Dick and L.R. attended many of the classes and events held at the camp, but also found time for sight-seeing and shopping.

We also welcomed a brief visit by Ryte Jonaityte of the International Republican Institute, whose continued support of our efforts over the years has been indispensable, and greatly appreciated.

Classes

Students were divided into 5 groups, rotating among the 5 teachers (Sue, Max, Jan, Andy, and Jaroslav). Egle, assisted by Asta, Ilja, Skaiste, and Viktorija, took care of the younger participants. After breakfast, a joint lecture session was held for all students and teachers by guest lecturers from the Lithuanian Free Market Institute, followed by the 5 camp classes. For their classes, teachers prepared and presented their own material covering a wide range of topics from classical liberalism to free market economics, democracy to entrepreneurship. Classes are highly interactive, with students strongly encouraged to participate in discussions and practice their English skills.

Theme

This year’s theme was “Privacy” and we looked at how our privacy was being threatened by global events, such as the “War on Terror”, anti-money laundering rules, expanding CCTV surveillance in cities around the world, and the modern crime of “identity theft”. We also considered the effect of new technologies, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips, and the impact on our privacy of futuristic practices, such as the implantation of technological devices in our bodies. How will governments attempt to use these technologies in order to increase their control over our individual lives, and what can we do to minimize or evade this control?

Excursion

Every year, we try to have at least one excursion to a local attraction, and this time, we had a cruise along one of the lakes at Trakai on a sail boat. Our whole group was too large for one boat and we had to split into two groups. Leaving from Trakai Castle, we sailed for an hour on the peaceful lake and then walked back to the camp in time for supper.

Fun & Games

Camps are not just classes and lectures, but also include organized fun events, such as BBQs, talent shows, debates, games, dancing, and music, in addition to informal outings to the nearby town and gatherings in student dorms. For the younger participants, a treasure hunt to Trakai and Vilnius was organized and supervised by a professional company specializing in such events.

US Independence Day

As in 2004, the camp week included the 4^th of July, which this year also coincided with the last evening of the camp. As a fitting finale, we set off fireworks just before midnight, when it became dark enough to enjoy the spectacle.

Absent with good apology: Steven Browne

The LLI President, Stephen Browne, was unable to attend this year’s camp due to a happy reason: his wife Monika was due to give birth during the month of July to their second child. A daughter, Judyta Ilona Browne, was born on July 20! Congratulations from all who attended the camp to the Browne family on their new addition!

Conclusion

The LLI camp at Trakai in 2006 was a memorable event for all who participated, and a great prelude for those who attended the ISIL Conference in Prague a few days later. Some of the Belarusian students were able to go to Prague this year, as did Egle, our Lithuanian camp manager. Most of the teachers, Virgis and his son Bartas, also made it to Prague and it was terrific to meet again so soon after the camp! We also received good feedback from participants and will try to make the LLI camp in 2007 even better!

If you want to participate in next year’s camp, as a student, teacher, or visitor, remember to put your name on our mailing list by registering here.