Hungarian experiences, international friendships

Andrei attends a military secondary school, and wants to serve his country as a pilot when he grows up. “I like Hungary very much, especially the architecture, because the buildings are beautiful and the city is fantastic” – he told us with enthusiasm.

The campers spent Tuesday with sightseeing in Budapest and discovering the Bálna Defence Centre. The young people walked down the Danube Promenade, marveled at St. Stephen Basilica and bought souvenirs in Váci Street and Vörösmarty Square. The children – especially those interested in the military career path – were fascinated by the flight simulators, the laser arena and the climbing wall in Bálna. They also attentively listened to the guided tour of the exhibition on military history.

Among the participants is Dániel Péter Zárai, a cadet of the István Bocskai Reformed Educational Centre. “I’ve arrived from Csepel, and am already spending my second year in the Cadet Program. My aim is to become a helicopter pilot and join the special operations forces” – said Péter, who received the opportunity to participate in the camp thanks to his excellent school achievements and sports performance. “In my school, the captain assisting us told me that I have a chance to come to this camp. I like it very much, the students from other countries are cool, and I’ve already made friends with Greek, Italian and Czech ones.”

It is not only the students but also the foreign instructors accompanying them that enjoy the program very much. Greek Lieutenant Anastasia Konstatinou and Italian Staff Officer Ascanio Caruso told us enthusiastically that “Both of us find Budapest beautiful, and we also marvel at the professional organization. Thank you for our being here!”

This year, Hungary is hosting the international CLIMS youth camp, whose objective is to let the participants get to know each other as well as the historical, cultural and national defence values of Hungary.

The two-week camp is organized by the Recreation Division of the Advanced Support and Recreation Directorate of the HDF vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest Garrison Brigade, and the related tasks are managed, among others, by Lieutenant Colonel Szilvia Vecseri. “The program is aimed at promoting real friendships among the young people, thereby also strengthening the relations among CLIMS member countries. Altogether 198 youngsters have arrived here. Hungary is represented by 16 students who received the opportunity to participate on the basis of their outstanding school and sporting achievements. The foreign students come from military families, and have been chosen on the basis of the selection systems within their own countries” – explained the lieutenant colonel.

The International CLIMS Camp (ICC) is also an excellent opportunity for deepening relationships between the military and civil leaders of the future: Hungary awaits the young people with culture, hospitality and exciting soldierly experiences.