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Balanced Development Foundation, in partnership with Historical Park, is excited to announce a 3-week Summer camp in 2025, taking place in Neofit Rilski, Bulgaria!​

Following the foundation's principles, the camp aims to provide high school students with an unique experience that balances intellectual, physical, and spiritual development. Participants will be given the opportunity to:

  • Develop and improve general practical skills and habits.

  • Focus on fields of individual interest and potential.

  • Connect face-to-face with peers from around the world in a phone-free environment.

  • Get familiar with the Bulgarian culture, traditions and cuisine.

  • Contribute to the local community through meaningful work.

  • Discover and develop new intellectual, physical, and spiritual interests.​

Camp Location
Activities

Planned Activities

Mobile phones will not be allowed during camp activities. Participants must be able and willing to leave their phone for at least for 4 hours at a time, multiple times per day.​​​

Aligned with our balanced approach, students will engage in a diverse range of physical, intellectual, and spiritual activities, with the opportunity to explore any of these areas in greater depth. During the first week, all students will participate in all available activities, after which they can customize their schedules to develop their preferred interests and potential in the following weeks.​​​

Specialized activities (at least 3 sessions/week, based on individual interests):​​​

​​Common activities (everyone participates):

  • Running / track and field training (every morning) -- instructor TBA (backup Vladimir Tomov).

  • Fitness time (every afternoon or evening) -- instructors from Historical Park.

  • Dedicated book reading time (every day).

  • Hiking trips (at least 2 per week) -- conducted by camp staff.

  • Beach afternoons (at least 2 per week) -- conducted by camp staff.​

Mathematics & Physics Training
Arts Activities
Archery Training
Fees

Fees

We currently have at least 20 free spots available for students living in Bulgaria. Apply for a free spot here.

Due to the limited number of free spots, the selection process will take place in two stages:

  1. First, we’ll identify a group of applicants who best reflect the values of the foundation - a strong desire to learn, grow as individuals, and develop in a balanced way across mind, body, and spirit.

  2. From that group, participants will be randomly selected to receive a free spot at camp.

In some cases, a short phone interview may be conducted as part of the selection process.

Additional free spots may be available, depending on sponsorship support.

The Summer camps are generally not free, as they are used to raise capital to support of foundation's tuition-free high school.​​​​

The price for 2025 is 6 000 BGN (3 300 USD or 3 000 EUR) per student. A 10% discount is offered for siblings or groups of two or more. This fee covers food, accommodation, and all activities. In principle, participants will not need money with them once they arrive onsite.

Register now to reserve your spot. We have capacity for 50 participants this year.

Logistics

Logistics

  • The camp dates are June 28 - July 18, 2025.

  • The camp is designed for participants aged 15 to 18. Those aged 13–14 may attend if accompanied by an older sibling.

  • Participants will be welcomed onsite or picked up from Varna Airport on June 27-28 and returned there at the end of the camp.

  • Participants will be accommodated in thе traditional yurt camp in Neofit Rilski village, with four students per yurt. The camp is equipped with 24-hour security and video surveillance to ensure a safe and secure environment for all participants.

  • Meals will be fully provided, featuring locally produced ingredients and freshly cooked dishes that promote healthy eating habits, inspired by traditional Bulgarian cuisine.

  • Basic first-aid assistance will be provided onsite by the foundation's staff. If necessary, participants will be transported to the nearest hospital in Devnya, located approximately 10 km (6 mi) away. International participants are advised to have travel health insurance.

Accomodation
Natural Food
Connecting to Peers

Registration

Registration

  • Students residing in Bulgaria can apply for free participation, with one free spot offered for every 10 paid registrations. Additional free spots may be available, depending on sponsorship support.

  • Winners will be chosen based on their application information and random selection (see section Fees).

  • Apply by May 10, 2025. Recipients of free participation will be notified by May 15, 2025.

  • To reserve a spot, complete your registration using the button below, along with a 10% deposit.​​

  • Once registered, our team will contact you shortly to confirm your reservation or inform you if you’ve been placed on the waitlist.

  • Registration closes on April 10, 2025.

  • Registrations can be canceled by April 10, 2025 for a full refund of the deposit.

  • We have capacity for 50 participants this year.

  • The camp will take place if at least 30 participants are registered.

  • The camp will be confirmed on April 10, 2025. If the camp is cancelled, all deposits will be refunded.

  • After registration closes and participation is confirmed, waivers and payment requests will be sent, due by May 5, 2025.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship

If you’d like to sponsor a student’s participation, please use the button below. All sponsorship contributions will go directly toward covering students’ participation fees for the 2025 Summer Camp. Sponsors who wish to be recognized can be featured on the foundation's website and acknowledged during camp activities. Once registered, our team will reach out to you shortly. Contributions will be due May 5, 2025.

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