Engaging children in conversations about nature in an interesting and exciting way requires unconventional, game-based approaches. For this reason, the team and eco-trainers from the Interreligious and Civic Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe, alongside educators from the Transcarpathian Regional Center for Children and Youth Creativity “PADIYUN,” joined forces at a roundtable to meticulously plan a series of upcoming interactive eco-quests for children in the Transcarpathian region.

The primary objective of the meeting was to collaboratively develop scenarios, finalize schedules for the events, and adapt the game format to suit different age groups. Participants discussed the logic behind the tasks, the integration of physical activities with educational content, and the incorporation of environmental messages into team challenges.

A highlight of the roundtable was the presentation and handover of specialized game props, crafted by artisans from the “Bavka” Transcarpathian Academic Regional Puppet Theater. Educators and trainers tested these colorful educational materials—which included detailed illustrations of animals and plants, thematic clue cards, crosswords, models of natural habitats, and various game props—designed to help children explore the environment of their native region through an accessible, playful approach.

The initiative is implemented by the Ecology Commission of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Eparchy (MGCE), in collaboration with the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF), with the support of the Archdiocese of Bamberg (Erzbistum Bamberg).

IRCEF Information Service