Youcee

youcee september 17th 2024

After the Dutch delegations had arrived, students presented the monuments they investigated to the group. After a lunch break, we drove to the Orrange Barracks for an afternoon filled with sports and teambuilding! After going back to the Akoesticum, the students had time to rehearse the song “The Dream”, with the help of Marlies Claasen! The students got to perform the song during the official opening in the evening, where the 48th Highlanders Pipes and Drums from Apeldoorn were also present. It was a great first day!

youcee september 18th 2024

This morning, we first drove off to Ysselsteyn where we visited the German War Cemetery. We had a tour, followed by a lovely lunch. After that, we were ready to drive to our next stop: the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. Here, participants from Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex (Canada) paid special tribute to one of the buried soldiers. Before heading back to the Akoesticum, students got to walk around for a bit and some got to hear interesting stories about the soldiers and their missions. Back at the Akoesticum, students took part in a dialogue about war and peace. It was a busy, but fun and educational day!

youcee september 19th 2024

This day was led by The Netherlands Veterans Institute. In the morning, students were introduced to Dutch veterans, who all had a different background. After splitting up into groups, the participants had the chance to listen to the engaging stories the veterans had to tell. Luckily, there was also plenty of room to ask questions and to have some fun discussions together! Students were presented with different dilemmas and their consequences and got to create their own stories this way! In the afternoon, the participants were put to work by two of the veterans. The tasks that had to be completed required a lot of teamwork, communication and trust. In the evening, the students got to watch a movie of their own choice! After the movies it was time for some rest, as we have a busy day tomorrow, and also our first commemoration!

YOUCEE SEPTEMBER 20TH 2024

This morning, students had to get up early to prepare for a very busy, but very exciting day! Shortly after breakfast, we drove off to our first stop: the Westerbouwing in Oosterbeek. Here we met up with David Locke, who told us more about the fights at that place. We continued by foot and walked the White Ribbon Mile, representing the route soldiers had to walk to cross the river. We continued our walk to the town hall of Renkum, where we had a delicious lunch! Afterwards, we visited the Airborne Museum and took a group picture. After all the walking, we got on the bus and drove to Arnhem where we had some free time. In the evening, we attended our first commemoration of the week at the Airborne Square. Some of the studente laid wreaths and two others shared their YOUCEE experiences! In all, it was a very busy but memorable day.

YOUCEE SEPTEMBER 21TH 2024

Today was the last full day of YOUCEE 2024. In the morning, we went by bus to Ginkel Heath to attend the commemoration ceremony and to watch the parachute droppings in honour of operation Market Garden, 80 years ago. In the presence of king Willem-Alexander and others, two of our participants were given the opportunity to lay a wreath. Before heading to Driel to attend the second commemoration of the day, we enjoyed our lunch in the sun. In Driel, the ceremony was translated to Polish by one of our students. Others performed a poem in Polish, English and Dutch, written by one of our other Polish participants. All the students did a wonderful job today! Once we were back at the Akoesticum, it was time for everyone to enjoy the BBQ! In the evening, all participants received their certificates and a very precious gift brought by the participants from Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex, Canada. In all, it was a wonderful day.

YOUCEE SEPTEMBER 22TH 2024

Today was officially the very last day of YOUCEE 2024, but for sure one to remember! 💜 After breakfast and cleaning up, it was time to head to our last commemoration at Airborne cemetery in Oosterbeek. Together with many children from different schools in the surroundings of the cemetery, we laid flowers in front of the graves of the soldiers. We also met with veteran Geoff Roberts, a very touching and special moment for some of us 🫶🏼 Right after lunch, it was really time to say goodbye, during which some tears have been shed. We hope everyone enjoyed this week just as much as we did! We want to thank everyone for their wonderful contributions and their participation, we hope to see you all again some day!