What is Group Work Camp?Group Work Camp is an initiative of the International Association for Social Work with Groups. This unique event offers an opportunity for professionals, educators, and students to engage in experiential group work training–while at the same time “getting away from it all” in an informal and relaxed lakefront setting. Facilitated by a skilled team of practitioners and educators, a wide array of training, workshops, and activities are available for both beginning and experienced group workers. Group Work Camp is a periodic IASWG event, launched in 2011 and offered in various forms and locations since then. In essence, it is an intensive immersion in group work activities/nondeliberative group work. A Group Work Camp can be held in a rural site where people live together for several days, or take place during a single day at any location. Programming consists of participation in numerous group activities, at small group and group-as-a-whole levels. Each of these experiences is followed by reflection and discussion about what happened for participants personally during that activity, what meaning the experience had for them, and how they might use what they learned in their future practice with groups. This process is a form of experiential learning: do, then think. Camp attendees include practitioners, educators, and students – meeting as equals in a mutual aid process. The heterogeneity of participants greatly enriches these events. A two- to three-day Group Work Camp -- where in addition to attending workshops, participants share meals and leisure time together -- fosters a real sense of community and ongoing connection, as well as a deep understanding of the power of mutual aid. Such events can include a campfire, as well as a “skill swap” – where participants have an opportunity to facilitate brief, ad hoc presentations. As of 2023, these residential Camps have been held in Wisconsin, Lithuania, and Quebec. Several have had international attendance. Fees include room and board, as well as registration. Scholarships may be offered for students or unemployed professionals. One-day, in-person Camps have taken place at the chapter level, and a pilot five-hour international Camp was offered virtually in 2022. These briefer events can provide an excellent opportunity for experiential learning about group work activities/nondeliberative group work. They can also promote the creation of an IASWG chapter, or the cohesion of an existing chapter. Chapters and members are invited to initiate the development of either type of Group Work Camp. A planning group would need to be formed. Although at this time no one is officially overseeing the Group Work Camp program, consultation is available from experienced coordinators. Articles about the process are available upon request. For further information, contact Ann Bergart ([email protected]). European Group Work Camp 2025Group Work for Solidarity, Hope and ChangeOctober 10-12, 2025For years the Groupwork Camp became a tradition within International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), which was held in USA, Canada, UK and continental Europe. The European Groupwork Camp for the third time will take place in Lithuania and will be organized by the Lithuanian chapter (NSDGA) together with IASWG and the Department of Social Work, Vytautas Magnus University. This unique event offers an opportunity for professional social workers, social pedagogues, psychologists and other professionals interested in groups, researches and students to share their ideas, skills, and experience. The aim of Groupwork Camp 2025 is to foster personal growth, professional skills, and a sense of belonging through immersive group experiences in a supportive environment. By engaging in creative, reflective, and collaborative activities, participants strengthen trust, resilience, and their capacity to work effectively with groups. As experience from other groupwork camps shows, the remarkable atmosphere contributes to creating a space for multifaceted communication and recognition of different cultures. The Groupwork Camp team invites you to step out of your daily routine into an inspiring space where you’ll grow both personally and professionally. Come together. Share hope. Create change. We warmly invite you to go on this journey of experiences together! Workshop facilitators: Joint team of foreign and Lithuanian lecturers Location: The Groupwork Camp will be organized in Trakai district's rural area, near the lake in Hotel „Margis", Ežero st. 39, Penkininkų villiage., Trakai region municipality Registration deadline: 10th of September, 2025 Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYYPNP9kfQWV74hjJ2NY3AdFFbhAnv0A4ZC7yh0xVXCwEO5Q/viewform Registration rate: 300 EUR till 15th of July, later – 350 EUR. Camp participation fee details: VsĮ “Nacionaline socialinio darbo su grupėmis asociacija” (NSDGA). Company code.: 304071040 SEB bank 70440 Account Nr.: LT147044060008038818AB
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