Jedinečným spôsobom and the use of a preventive system, we respond to the needs of young people and their teachers in today's world. We focus on classes of the second level, and by bringing life experiences into life, we do not provide them with the goal itself right away, but with personal growth on the way to it. Through tailor-made programs and an individual approach to students, we combine play and education to build the integral development of personality, life attitudes and values.

Organizer The team of instructors consists of psychologists, social workers, social pedagogues, educators and young people with long-term experience in working with children and youth. They work under the auspices of Domky – Združenia saleziánskej mládeže, which is one of the largest child and youth organizations in Slovakia.

Since when did we start offering Orientation Days to schools in Petržalka? In March 2016, we presented this new project at a meeting of principals of schools in Petržalka. After the positive experience of 4 classes from 3 different Petržalka schools from the first pilot programs in the 2015/16 school year, we decided to continue and improve the quality of our programs for the needs of students and their teachers.

According to ÚPSVaR, among the most common problematic behaviors in children are: lying, truancy, running away from home, aggressive behavior, bullying, drug abuse, addictions. We also found these phenomena and realities through our long-term work with Petržalka youth and monitoring their needs, while many of them arise, occur, or develop precisely in the school environment where young people spend a large part of their day.

Students of the second stage of primary schools are perceived by us as the most at-risk group, and at the same time for this target group, compared for example to secondary school, there are fewer other offers. The Orientation Days program offers a response to problematic behavior and phenomena in the form of primary prevention.

We create space for students to orient themselves in life. Our experienced youth workers involve children in activities that help their personality growth. They reflect on their opinions, freely express themselves about topics that interest them, learn to defend their opinions before their peers and at the same time listen to and respect different opinions. They have time to pause, think, take a step back and look at their problems, and in some cases decide on a further step or direction in life. The program is implemented by a team of volunteers in experiential pedagogy directly in the youth center. A class takes part in the course together with its class teacher, lasting 3 days. The class has the opportunity in advance to choose a program focused on one of the offered topics: self-awareness, class relationships, vocation choice or partner relationships. At the same time, the program is tailored to the given class and to solving their problems.

How and where do Orientation Days take place? Programs last 3 days and take place in the premises of Saleziánskeho mládežníckeho strediska on Mamateyovej. The course topic can be chosen:

My class my group This course focuses on relationships in the class and the class functioning as a group. Prevention of undesired phenomena: bullying, truancy, pathological relationships, etc.

Being your own friend and adviser This course serves to find identity and to better know oneself. Prevention of undesired phenomena: especially eating disorders, depression, suicides, etc.

I dream, until he comes, champion of my heart! In this course, we focus on relationships and different sexuality of man and woman. Prevention of undesired phenomena: risky sexual behavior, prostitution, violence, etc. It is intended for students in grades 7 - 9.

What will become of me someday? During the course, we focus more deeply on the future and on choosing the next study path. Prevention of undesired phenomena: prevention against wrong school choice, unemployment, etc. It is intended for students in grades 8 - 9.

Venue and meals: 30 eur – Monday to Wednesday per person, i.e. 10 eur per person per day (including pedagogical accompaniment) Course fee includes: lunch, refreshments, drinking, know-how, material consumption, amortization of sports equipment, use of the playroom, playground, or climbing wall, etc., rental and maintenance of clubrooms and other used spaces, and trainer fees.

Organizer and venue Domka – Združenie saleziánskej mládeže, center Bratislava – Mamateyova Contacts: Lenka Horváthová, Katarína Porubská Mamateyova 4, 851 04 Bratislava E-mail: orientacnedni.mamateyka@gmail.com Tel.: 0904 540 736

In case of interest, also in Banská Bystrica: Contact person: Paulína Mäsiarová 0907 372 849 http://od.sbb.sk/

More at www.orientacnedni.sk

You can also find information in the attached PDF leaflet: