The very first full day of YOTA Summer Camp started bright and early! At 7 a.m., the bells of the local church rang through the village, officially marking the beginning of our adventure.
After breakfast, we gathered for a short meeting with the team leaders to review the day’s schedule. But before diving into the workshops, it was time to discover who we’d be spending the week with: we were split into 6 groups, named after french delicacies: baguette, croissant, macaron, crème brûlé, pain au chocolat and chocolatine. The morning kicked off with lively ice-breaking games: a fun way to get to know each other and begin building new friendships.
Next on the program was a short but intresting lecture on ARDF, delivered by Marija (YU3AWA). With that introduction, we were ready to prepare for one of the most anticipated highlights of the week: the ARISS contact.
A group of 20 participants was selected to read questions to astronaut Mark Fincke (KE5AIT) aboard the ISS. Since we had only a short time window for the contact, rehearsals were essential. Thanks to Ana (EI5IXB), the team quickly learned what to do, and their performance during practice was flawless.
While waiting for the connection, Jules and Michel (F1AFW) gave us a talk about the International Space Station, sharing technical insights and fun facts. Then the moment arrived: silence fell across the room, broken only by the static of an empty frequency. Then, after a few calls, a voice came through: “Welcome to the ISS!” Hearing Mark’s greeting filled our hearts with joy. It was a truly emotional moment none of us will ever forget.
For lunch, we enjoyed a taste of French tradition: we had a picnic-styled meal with baguettes with delicious toppings. After some time outdoors, participants split into groups, each diving into a different challenge:
- Team Baguette launched into the Rocket Workshop.
- Team Crème Brûlée built their very own CW paddles.
- Team Croissant worked on Winkeyer kit building.
- Team Chocolatine set off on ARDF activities.
- Team Macarons focused on station operating.
- Team Pain au Chocolat explored the world of radiosondes.
This mix of practical building, experimenting, and operating gave everyone a chance to try something new, develop hands-on skills, and collaborate as a team.
Even though we were already getting hungry again, dinner had to wait…It was time for one of the most beloved traditions of every YOTA camp: the Intercultural Evening!
Participants proudly showcased their home countries, letting everyone travel the world in just one night. Belgium delighted us with fresh waffles, Argentina offered authentic yerba maté, and the Czech Republic brought draft Kofola (a unique Czech soft drink, similar to cola). Many youngsters also shared homemade dishes and family recipes, turning the evening into both a cultural journey and a heartfelt exchange.
By the end of the night, everyone was full, tired, and above all happy. With new friendships forming and so many experiences already behind us, we headed to bed, excited for what the next day would bring.
