“School of Creativity” Opens for Teens in Gaujiena
Seventh- and eighth-grade pupils of the Ojārs Vācietis Gaujiena Comprehensive and Arts Primary School took part in the first event of the “School in the Community” project during the October break. It focused on teamwork, creativity and planning a creative camp.
In October 2026, during the pupils' school break, the opening event of the “School of Creativity” took place at the Ojārs Vācietis Gaujiena Comprehensive and Arts Primary School in Gaujiena, Latvia. Pupils from grades 7 and 8 took part. It was the first activity in the “School in the Community” initiative project run by the school and the association “Vītolēni”, which aims to strengthen ties between the school and the local community.
The event was intended to help pupils get to know one another, build cooperation skills and creative thinking, and encourage them to recognise their own strengths and appreciate the abilities of others. Working in teams outside the usual school environment, they practised finding solutions together.
How the day went
In the first part of the day, pupils led by Ieva Johansone took part in activities that developed communication, cooperation and creativity. Accompanied by Ineta Riepniece, they went on an educational tour of Gaujiena, visiting places that often go unnoticed in everyday life. The tour showed that one can discover something new even in one's own home town.
In the afternoon, the pupils worked in groups to plan their own creative camp. They generated ideas, discussed possible activities and assessed what content would be appealing and suitable for them. The task was a step towards getting young people actively involved in planning and running the camp, voicing their opinions and taking responsibility for a shared event.
What comes next
At the end of the day even the most resilient participants admitted to being tired, but the mood was positive. The opening marked the start of further project activities, which are intended to foster young people's initiative, creativity, cooperation and participation in carrying out shared ideas.
Project coordinator Dace Lazdiņa, the school's deputy director for education, thanked class teachers Dagnija Pakalne and Evija Leoska, as well as Klinta Bernarte, head of the Gaujiena youth centre, for their involvement. The initiative project is funded by the “School in the Community” project, carried out under European Social Fund Plus project No. 4.2.3.1/1/24/I/001.
