Firsthand impressions from four board members of the European Youth Press visiting the Hungarian youth media camp in Balatonfenyves on Lake Balaton where around 80 youngsters produced print magazines, radio shows and a video program.
Frankly, the hot weather, the beautiful camp setting and nearby Lake Balaton were not very motivating to be seriously working on media topics. However, the Hungarian Youth Press DUE managed to combine both - training and recreation – very well. It was for the 24th time already that the national youth media association organised a summer camp for young people interested in media. And for the fifth time in a row they chose Lake Balaton.
Katalin Borsodi – an ex camp participant herself – and Nikoletta Incze who lead one of the groups in this year’s camp welcomed Katrin Hünemörder, Björn Richter, Max Kall and Alfhild Böhringer (all of Youth Press Germany) as well as Andreas Renggli (Swiss Youth Press). The two Hungarian representatives gave in-depth information on the media camp, helped comparing journalism projects in different countries and translated when necessary.
The output of the camp was impressive and outsiders quickly realised that this was proper work done by real media maniacs: Groups of around twelve people produced various print magazines – some of them especially for girls or boys, morning talk shows, jingles and short programs for the self-made radio station as well as a video program about the whole camp. Every room including dormitories were equipped with loudspeakers. There was no chance to escape broadcasted information.
According to Szabolcs Turányi Vadnay, leader of the executive board, DUE can count on ex camp participants in all of the bigger Hungarian media companies when they are looking for experts to teach young people who want to become journalists. For many other national youth media associations in Europe this is just a dream or perhaps a long-term vision.
