We all know that the economic crisis and financial difficulties have affected the majority of citizens. However, it is children and young people who feel this most acutely. As recently as 1986–1987, around 3 million children and young people took part in summer programmes and various forms of holiday recreation. In 1990, there were only 300,000. Now it is even difficult to say how many will be able to go on holiday. According to research conducted by the Social Research Workshop in 1992, as many as 60 percent of citizens would not take a holiday; 14 percent of those surveyed planned to take a holiday with their entire family, 4 percent could afford for only one parent to go away with a child, while 11 percent of surveyed citizens would be able to provide a holiday only for their children. There are no data on how many organised forms of recreation for children and young people there will be.
I want to be clearly understood. We cannot afford today to organise holidays according to the forms used in the 1980s. Holiday camps and camps with full facilities and equipment are too expensive. Another form of organising holidays for children and young people should be sought for this period—one that is cheaper and as accessible as possible to the majority. Bolesławiec has quite good recreational areas all around it. For example, several permanent camping bases could be established—scout campsites with field kitchens set up.
Kliczków is a beautiful place, where international camps were even held. Young people would come to these campsites with their own tents and equipment (mattresses, sleeping bags, dishes, etc.).
The sessions could last two weeks or 10 days. Various forms of games and outdoor activities could be organised there by professional instructors. The entire organisation would be handled by the young people. I believe the costs would be low. Perhaps sponsors could be found for such an initiative? Just look at how many tents are pitched around our city’s housing estates as soon as the holidays begin. Why not pitch them at the campsite instead.