PROGRAM VARNALIS
AIM OF THE PROGRAM
The aim of ‘Varnalis’ program is to:
1. Make Pelion known all over the world.
2. Acquaint the trainees with the Greek-Orthodox civilization (churches, monasteries), traditions, customs and reinforce the religion tourism.
3. Provide the opportunity to the participants to have free vacation at mount Pelion in combination with their training.
4. “Boost the tourism development in Pelion” : one of the fundamental objectives of our Institute.
5. Acquaint the participants in the program with the native hospitality, culture and cuisine, so that they can promote the beauty of Mount Pelion all over the world.
6. Help spread the idea of volunteering.
WHERE THE PROGRAM TAKES PLACE
The ‘Varnalis’ program has its base at the premises of Pelion Development Institute at South Pelion and specifically in Argalasti, capital of the municipality of Argalasti. Its activities take place in the following areas:
South Pelion: villages of the municipalities of Argalasti, Sipiada and Trikeri.
Central Pelion: municipalities of Milies, Afetes, Artemida, Agria, Iolkos, Portaria and Makrinitsa.
Eastern Pelion: municipalities of Zagora, Mouresi and Keramidi.
Additionally, part of the program will take place on the island of Skiathos.
TARGET GROUP
‘Varnalis’ program concerns pupils and students between the ages of 10 and 30 from all over the world. It also concerns metropolitan churches (religion schools), non governmental organizations (N.G.O.’s), cultural clubs, clubs of emigrant Greeks and various other organizations. For the participation of underage children a written consent of the parents or an escort is obligatory.
PERIOD OF THE PROGRAM
‘Varnalis’ program will take place during 2010, from 10/4/2010 till 30/6/2010 and from 1/9/2010 till 30/11/2010. For the year 2011 it will be held from 1/3/2011 till 30/6/2011 and from 1/9/2011 till 30/11/2011. Note that the program will go on till the year 2015.
DURATION OF THE PROGRAM
The program has a duration of 7 or 14 days and can be further extended after relative request to the Institute. The training will take place from Monday to Friday between the hours 9.00 to 13.00 and 18.00 to 21.00. The weekends will be free for excursions and various other activities.
FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM
Τhe ‘Varnalis’ program is funded by the Pelion Development Institute through its own resources as well as through financial support provided by municipalities, organizations and various other sponsors.
PARTICIPATION COST
The participation in the ‘Varnalis’ program costs 250 euro for 7 people per week.This amount is used for the insurance of the participants. The money must be deposited in the account of the Institute simultaneously with the submission of the letter of application. In case of cancellation the applicant is entitled to a refund only if he notifies the Institute at least one month before his arrival.
The account number is IBAN GR 29 0110 2010 0000 2012 9625 008 code-swift–BIC ETHNGRAA
National Bank of Greece at the name: Pelion Development Institute.
ACTIVITIES FINANCED THROUGH THE PROGRAM
Τhe program provides:
1. Accommodation in lodges with 4 beds (bunk beds), schools or tents.
2. Cleaning services, once a day (educational and dining spaces)
3. Meals-only the ingredients. The preparation and cooking of meals will be a responsibility of the participants under the supervision of an Institute’s member. Thus, the trainees will learn to prepare their meals and live on their own.
All the food and ingredients will be biological and traditional greek products.
TRAINING
Τhe schedule and the type of training is strict and all participants have to respect it.
The training regards the following eras:
1. Environmental education
2. Training and participation in the activities of the newly founded park of environmental training “PATHS-STUDY OF NATURE”.
3. Greek language.
4. Greek-folklore music and dances.
5. Biological farming.
6. Biological olive trees.
7. Biological vineyards
8. Biological apples.
9. Truffle mushrooms.
10. Excursions in the regions around Pelion and visits at museums, archeological sites, monasteries, churches, seaside and other places of interest
11. Lectures and movies about the history of Pelion.
12. Lecture about the poet Kostas Varnalis.
13. Training in following old trails and cleaning off the shores.
14. Walks into the woods and study of nature (plants, herbs, animals, birds, insects, bridges, watermills, seaside).
15. Acquaintance with horses, horse riding.
16. Lessons about traditional occupations
17. Water sports.
18. Forest patrols for fire prevention.
19. Sports training...
20. Lessons about oil production, olive oil industry, wine- making, and production of traditional sweets.
21. Skiing lessons in Pelion Ski Center.
For each team there will be a special program which will be announced at the arrival of the trainees.
TIMETABLE
The training timetable is strict, as determined by the program and no change of the hours is possible. By this way the trainees learn to be accurate and precise.
PERSONAL ITEMS
There will be a specially provided place where the trainees can wash and iron their clothes in their spare time.
CLEANING
The places of stay and training will be cleaned once a day by a special team of the Institute personnel. Hereinafter, the trainees are responsible for keeping their place and themselves clean.
TRAVEL EXPENSES
All the travel expenses are covered by the participants (transfer from and to their country as well as transfers during their stay).
PARTICIPATION
In order to participate in the program a special application form must be submitted at least 20 days before the beginning of the program and after contacting the Institute for determining the day of arrival and the period of stay. Together with the application form a list of the participants must be submitted as well including their name, father’s name, date of birth, number of passport or identity card and their phone or mobile. For the countries for which a Visa is necessary the application form should be submitted at least 2 months in advance so that the Institute can contact the embassy in order to provide it.
CONDITIONS OF STAY
The accommodation of the trainees will take place in lodges, schools or tents. Rooms for teaching and bathrooms with cold and warm water will be available. If the participants wish they have the alternative, after contacting the Institute of course to stay in hotels which will also provide their feeding. The cost of this stay must be paid by the participants in advance, at least 10 days before their arrival. During the training and the various other activities the trainees must wear t-shirts of the program which will be provided by the Institute.
EXCURSIONS
Apart from the excursions in various areas around mount Pelion which are part of the training, an optional, day lasting excursion to the monasteries of Meteora will be available.
For those staying for 14 days there is also the opportunity to have a 2 day excursion to Mount Athos (Agio Oros). The cost for the first is 50 euro per person as for the second 100 euro per person.
ESCORT
During the excursion, except for the bus driver, there will also be an escort for every 7 participants unless they choose to go by car.
LANGUAGE
The program Varnalis is taught for Greeks in Greek language and for foreigners in English and, if there is such possibility in the mother language of the participants.
BOOKS-BROCHURES
All the books and brochures used during training will be available in Greek and English and wherever it is possible in the mother language of the participants.
TRAINERS
The trainers of the program are volunteers (professors at universities, priests, lawyers, journalists and other professionals familiar with the subject of training).
HOLY COMMUNION
Every Sunday the participants can visit monasteries and churches from 8.30 to 10.30 in order to be present at the Holy Communion.After that Greek coffee will be offered.
CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
At the end of their stay each trainee will be given a special certificate of participation in the program.
SIGNING OF CONTRACT
Before the arrival, a contract is signed between the two parts, where all the obligations of both sides are stated and agreed.
INSURANCE
All the participants in the program are insured during their entire stay in Greece with a personal contract with a Greek insurance company.
CONTACT US
You can contact us regarding the program by e-mail: pilioinsvarnalis@gmail.com
More information about Pelion at the websites:
www.pilio.net www.peliononline.gr
The Board of Pelion Development Institute wishes you:
HAVE A NICE STAY, A GOOD TRAINING AND A GREAT TIME!!!
THE PRESIDENT
STERGIOS PAPAIOANNOU
