30 July–2 August 2026 · Burtnieki, Latvia
Youth Camp in Latvia
A summer retreat for Lutheran young people about facing temptation, prayer, fellowship and Gregorian chant.
Register for the camp · Practical information
Who is it for?
Lutheran young people aged 14–24 from Estonia, Latvia and Sweden. At least one participant from Finland and one from Germany will also join us. Initially we expect about ten young people from Estonia.
Theme
How can we deal with temptation?
There will also be a Gregorian chant workshop.
Where?
Burtnieki Retreat Centre in Latvia. Transport will be arranged once the number and starting points of participants are known.
Why come?
The camp gives time to hear God’s Word, grow in common prayer and fellowship, and reflect on how Christians can face real-life temptations.
The rhythm of the day
Each day begins with the Church’s morning office, Lauds, and breakfast, and ends with night prayer, Compline, followed by silence. The programme includes talks, small international discussion groups, enjoyable activities, personal reflection, midday prayer (Sext) and shared meals.
Thursday, 30 July
- 18:00 – Arrival and settling in
- 19:00 – Vespers and dinner
- 20:00 – Getting-to-know-you games
- 22:30 – Compline and bedtime
Friday, 31 July
- 8:15 – Wake-up and morning routine
- 9:00 – Lauds and breakfast
- 10:15 – Talk by Kārlis Zikmanis: “Lead us not into temptation”
- 11:00 – Group discussion and posters
- 12:00 – Activity or game
- 13:00 – Sext and lunch
- 14:15 – Talk by Toomas Nigola: “The means of grace”
- 15:00 – Group discussion and posters
- 16:00 – Afternoon tea and free time
- 17:00 – Gregorian chant workshop or swimming
- 19:00 – Vespers and dinner
- 20:00 – Evening review
- 22:30 – Compline and silence
Saturday, 1 August
- 8:15 – Wake-up and morning routine
- 9:00 – Lauds and breakfast
- 10:15 – Talk by Magnus Olsson: “Identity in Christ: son or slave?”
- 11:00 – Group discussion and posters
- 12:00 – Activity or game
- 13:00 – Sext and lunch
- 14:15 – Talk by Raimonds Mežiņš
- 15:00 – Group discussion and posters
- 16:00 – Afternoon tea and free time
- 17:00 – Gregorian chant workshop or swimming
- 19:00 – Vespers and dinner
- 20:00 – Evening review
- 22:30 – Compline and silence
Sunday, 2 August
- 9:00 – Wake-up and packing
- 9:15 – Lauds and breakfast
- 11:00 – Worship with Burtnieki Parish
- 13:00 – Farewells and journey home
Accommodation and arrangements
🏠 Accommodation
We will stay in the manor house, in proper beds.
🍽️ Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea or coffee are served at the manor. No one will go hungry in Burtnieki.
🏛️ Rooms
Prayers are held in the church. It can be cool even in summer, so bring warm clothing. Talks and workshops take place upstairs in the stable building, with round tables, a board and the equipment we need.
🏊 Swimming
Bring swimwear. Lake Burtnieki is about three kilometres away on foot.
🔥 Campfire
In the evenings we may light a campfire and cook sausages or other food.
Posters and discussions
After each talk the young people discuss what they heard in small groups and create an artistic poster. The posters are presented in a friendly and supportive evening gathering, helping everyone recall the day’s teaching together.
Practical information
Dates: 30 July–2 August 2026
Place: Burtnieki Retreat Centre, Latvia
Transport: arranged after participants and their starting points are known.
Fee: €80 per person for four days, including accommodation, meals and the programme. If the fee is difficult, please still come—we will find a solution.
Registration: complete the Google registration form (currently in Estonian).
Questions: parish youth worker osvald.nigola@eelk.ee.