CONCEPT: "ALONI" is based on the paedagogics of active experience. We concentrate on the essentials! An island is a clearly defined geographic space with limited resources, thus easier to comprehend than a complex metropolis. 

ALONI consists of three core modules: Adventure holiday Experience-based learning and Introductory courses/ professional internships. For example, ALONI makes active use of a key aspect common to all humans and all living beings: the absorption of energy by eating and drinking. The “social function”, the “communicative event” of food consumption has been recognised since Simmel (1910). How does this apply to our project? Simple: the honey extracted by the youths themselves, the fish taken from the sea at dawn, the lamb slaughtered by its shepherd for an Easter or Christmas feast, thyme, oregano and other fragrant herbs collected by the group, the wild artichokes handharvested, the sun-dried sea salt, the cheese from the local dairy: in turn, each of these foods is centerstage, and ultimately the group prepares and eats them. The communal meal and the fact of one`s personal involvement in the procurement and preparation of the food, the challenge of being creative, the sensual experience of the meal all strengthen the group bond and enhance the new impressions gathered throughout the day. “Cooking together”, be it in the kitchen of a small guesthouse, by a campfire or on a grill suddenly becomes “cool” and “hip”. The knowledge of where food comes from, the various production processes behind it, the understanding that everything forms a cycle - this all forms a further element of this project aimed at sensitizing children and adolescents to the economical, ecological and social challenges of our future. Even when not produced by the group, the project provides for the savouring of traditional specialities, such as milopita, tiropita, pastitsio, moussaka or choriatiki in small local tavernas. Among those things Greeks enjoy most is eating out with friends, not just for the purpose of eating, but to communicate, exchange ideas, enjoy shared time, deepen friendships. 

ALONI offers children and adolescents concrete insight into the various professional worlds of agriculture. They can: Learn from the organic beekeeper where the honey for our bread comes from. They can build their own beehive to produce honey themselves. Join the fishermen at work: From the live fish in the sea to the canned product; the harsh competition among fishermen in the market; globalised trade to ensure survival. What remains ... antibiotics or quality? Accompany the shepherd and see his role as “custodian of the landscape”. Help the wine-maker harvest grapes ... Learn to locate “invisible” tracks in the open country, like a hunter, to find and observe animals. Must Greeks hunt to survive? No ... but for some it is the only way to still perceive that they live on an island! Find out why one man goes fishing at four in the morning, and why another man has lost his arms ... 

Experience the various sporting activities possible due to the unique geographic island terrain. Immerse themselves in a world of adventure, both in the sea and ashore, while discovering a new strange world: climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, horseback riding, spelunking, free climbing, snorkelling, night-time hiking, camping ... action, immediacy, suspense, emotion, variety and authenticity.