Picnic in Białka – a day of joy, community, and partnership
On May 31, 2025, an exceptional picnic took place at the Montessori Farm School in Białka, organized as part of the Montessori Erdkinder project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program. The event brought together approximately five hundred participants – students, parents, teachers, and friends from partner schools. It was a day full of joy, shared activities, meaningful conversations, and authentic international collaboration. Participants had the opportunity to experience firsthand what Erdkinder education looks like in practice – learning through work, real-life experiences, and a close connection with nature.
Rich program and experiential learning
Guests enjoyed a diverse program of activities reflecting the daily life of the Farm School community. Children and adolescents participated in carpentry workshops, working with wood, creating floral arrangements from natural materials, modeling with clay, and developing their creativity and manual skills. Gardening activities were also part of the program, where participants learned about soil, plant growth, and ecological responsibility. Sports activities and team games were also very popular, fostering cooperation, relationships, and integration among students from different countries.
Education about nature and ecology
One of the most powerful moments of the event was the participation of a local beekeeper, who engagingly introduced the life of bees and their irreplaceable role in the ecosystem. Participants could explore beekeeping tools, observe a demonstration hive, listen to real-life stories, and taste fresh honey. The educational dimension of the picnic was further enriched by representatives of the State Forests, who led workshops on forest protection, biodiversity, sustainable management, and responsible use of natural resources. Their stand attracted both children and adults.
International collaboration in practice
Throughout the day, short student performances added a festive and joyful atmosphere to the event. All partner schools involved in the project were represented, giving the picnic a truly international dimension. Students and teachers from several countries had the opportunity to gain insight into the daily functioning of the Farm School, participate in activities, meet its team, and exchange experiences related to implementing the Montessori Erdkinder project in their respective countries.
Erdkinder in its authentic form
The picnic was a living example of learning through action – an approach based on cooperation, autonomy, and shared responsibility. In the true spirit of Erdkinder, young people actively participated in all aspects of the event: they worked, created, explored, and learned from one another. The opportunity to experience the Farm School “from within,” together with shared workshops and informal discussions, allowed participants to experience the Montessori philosophy in its authentic form – as an environment where relationships, meaningful work, and real life form the foundation of adolescent development.
Strong community and lasting partnerships
Parents, students, and teachers highlighted the exceptional atmosphere of the event – openness, warmth, energy, and a genuine sense of belonging. The picnic became an important milestone of the project, strengthening partnerships and giving a concrete form to the work carried out within the Montessori Erdkinder initiative.
The project is implemented within the Erasmus+ program (KA220-SCH-06406257) and aims to develop practical, interdisciplinary educational programs and support international cooperation that helps young people build independence, responsibility, and the ability to confidently function in the real world.
