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International Rec Day will focus on youth activities around the world and the International Youth Development Showcase will focus on summer youth camps around the world.

Two special events – one focusing on youth recreation activities around the world and another on how summer youth camps are managed and experienced in other countries – will be hosted by the University of Georgia College of Education’s Ramsey Lecture Series on Monday, Feb. 20.

Jim Cain, a senior consultant to the Cornell University Corporate Teambuilding Program and author of five adventure-based teambuilding texts, including the award-winning book, Teamwork & Teamplay, and youth development professionals from around the world will lead recreation activities and games with a global perspective during International Rec Day from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at Ramsey Center Gym Central.

Cain

Cain is former executive director for the Association for Challenge Course Technology and the creative force behind his training company, Teamwork & Teamplay. He frequently serves as a visiting professor on subjects ranging from teambuilding and experiential education using adventure-based activities to corporate culture and leadership. He worked as a senior research engineer for Eastman Kodak for 15 years and holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Rochester.

The event, which will focus on activities from Greece, Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia and Mongolia, is open to all UGA students and Ramsey Center members Attendees are urged to come dressed for fun and ready to play.

Kostin

The second event, an International Youth Development Showcase, will focus on how summer youth camps are managed around the world. Valery Kostin, president of the International Camping Fellowship, will offer his assessment of the current state of youth development from a global perspective. He will be joined by 20 international camp directors from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in Room 150 of the Lamar Dodd School of Art. The event is free and open to the public.

Kostin serves as the Russian Country Director for Camp Counselors USA and splits his time between Maine and Russia. He has served as the president of the International Camping Fellowship since 2009. He coordinates Russians who come to learn in American camps and is host to Americans going to experience a summer camp in Russia.  CCUSA has been a leader in bringing international staff members to summer recreational youth camps in the United States for cultural exchange since 1984.  Camp Counselors Russia was begun in 1991 by CCUSA to extend the exchange by supporting opportunities for participants to share and experience the Russian recreational youth camp experience.

UGA’s Study Abroad Program in Russia is coordinated through these organizations.

Both events are sponsored by UGA’s recreation and leisure studies program in the College of Education’s department of counseling and human development services, and funded by the Ramsey Lecture Series.