From June 18 to 22 for the first time in the history of the Baltic States Latvia hosts an international youth military camp "Baltic Guards 2012" in Cesis, one the most beautiful spots in the country. 126 participants of the military summer activity gathered from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Lithuania is represented in "Baltic Guards 2012" by 36 young riflemen of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union who passed a selection at the Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces School in Kaunas on June 12-14. During the selection the young riflemen enhanced firing, orienteering, radio communication, mine clearance, actions in chemical environment, and others theoretical and practical knowledge of martial arts.
Members of Estonian Kodututred and Latvian Jaunsargi, organisations congenerous with the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, also take part in the camp in Latvia.
The camp "Baltic Guards 2012" is aimed at teaching the young riflemen cooperation skills, leadership abilities, strategic thinking, as well as surpassing cultural and language barriers.
The young riflemen will be able to take part in an intense program. They will begin the first day of the camp by a morning exercising followed by an orienteering match with military tasks in check-points. The day will end with a test from the knowledge about NATO, the European Union, and security points relevant to the Baltic States.
On the second day the participants will go on a reconnaissance patrol where they will be able to improve firing skills, cross a minefield, disassemble and collect again AK-4 rifle. The day will be closed by a meeting with U.S. marines and discussions by a bon-fire.
On the third day a sports competition will be held at the sports and leisure base "Pipariņi" where the international camp is located. After the competition the young riflemen will be invited on a trip to the historical town of Cesis. After lunch discussions with Judith G. Garber, U.S. Ambassador in Latvia, Andreas Klein, Head of Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in the Baltic States, and patron of the camp Defence Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks are planned to be held.
On the last day an awards ceremony and a commemorative event for the battle of Cesis will take place.
Organiser of the camp - Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO).
POC:
Media Coordinator Laura Ozoliņa (Latvia) +371 26694874.
POC in Lithuania: Deputy Commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union Vytautas Žymančius, tel. (00370 37) 22 65 84, email: v.zymancius@sauliusajunga.lt
Associative photo by Viktorija Kirdeikaitė
