GLOWing Again in Bulgaria

Leadership Academy GLOW sustainability team.

 Leadership Academy GLOW (LA GLOW) is a week-long summer camp in Veliko, Tarnovo, Bulgaria for girls 14 to 18 years old.  This camp was founded in 2000 by Peace Corps volunteers. It is now a Peace Corps Legacy program run entirely by female volunteers, mainly GLOW alumni who live and work all over the world.  Their dedication to the spirit of GLOW is amazing. They work hard work organizing the camp, an online magazine and maintaining other forms of social media, and most importantly fundraising. I believe that the camp should be viewed as a gift each year to a the fifty girls who are selected to attend!

Through role playing, seminars, peer-to-peer training, and by incorporating energizers, games and themed parties, the campers learn about leadership and empowerment.  Many campers return as counselors or participate in social campaigns and leadership workshops throughout the year.

This past August, Corawill, Inc. volunteers participated in Leadership Academy GLOW for the third consecutive year. Our volunteers included two high school English teachers, a university professor and a high school student, all from Connecticut. It was an educational and fun experience and all are on board to return next next year. In the future we hope to bring Bulgarian students to Connecticut to experience our educational system. We thank all of the GLOW staff for their help, but most importantly, for their friendship - see you next year!

You can visit the LA GLOW web site here and also find them on Facebook. Below is a small selection of activities from this year's academy.

Building a house of straws.

Communication challenges!

Festivities for Hawaiian Night!

Morning announcements and ice-breakers.

S'mores on bonfire night.

Making memories on PJ Party night.

Sharing talents -  traditional dance.

Community action day.

Art in the park.

Last night at the Gala Dinner.