Prázdninová škola Lipnice

Prázdninová škola Lipnice (PŠL), often called "Prázdninovka", is a Czech non-profit organisation and a pioneer of experiential pedagogy (zážitková pedagogika) in the former Czechoslovakia. It was formally established in 1977 under the Socialist Union of Youth (SSM) as the "Prázdninová škola" of the SSM Central Committee, following experimental holiday courses led by Allan Gintel and others from the early 1970s. Its programmes combined sport, art and social activities into an "intensive recreational regime", with the landscape around Lipnice nad Sázavou providing a natural setting for challenge and reflection. After the Velvet Revolution, PŠL reconstituted itself as a civic association. In 1991 it became a member of the international Outward Bound organisation, and in 1993 it founded Outward Bound – Česká cesta s.r.o., a commercial company offering experiential courses, especially team-building for corporate clients. Although it lost its original centre "Na Hřebenech" in the property transfers that followed the dissolution of the SSM, the name Lipnice remained. Today PŠL runs courses for the public and for closed groups, teaching through experience to develop courage, resilience and responsibility, as well as methodological courses for professionals who want to teach through experience. Its long-standing projects include ZDrSem (first aid through experience, founded 1996 and independent since 2014), Sborovna, and the journal Gymnasion. Its core work remains authorial courses led by volunteers, such as the summer courses Quo Vadis, Tyjo tati and Deja-vu, and winter expedition courses like Wintertouch, Apalucha and Život je gotickej pes. The organisation has published influential handbooks, notably the Zlatý fond her series.

The roots of Prázdninová škola Lipnice lie in the experimental holiday courses of the early 1970s, initiated by Allan Gintel with actions such as "Pokus pro dvacet" (Experiment for Twenty), followed by the projects Prima prázdnin and six editions of Gymnasion. These explored an "intensive recreational regime" combining sport, art and social activities, with emphasis on their thoughtful interconnection and overall atmosphere. In 1974 the "Principles for Organising Experimental Actions" were formulated, all within the framework of the Socialist Union of Youth (SSM). From the beginning, the environment of the centre "Na hřebenech" below Lipnice nad Sázavou was an important component, offering calm, contact with nature and many natural obstacles. In the second half of the 1970s, actions led by Milena Holcová and Ondřej Valsa — Entomologická kalvárie, Pohraniční kalvárie, Humanus and Toulavý autobus — drew more on Outward Bound principles. In March 1977 a seminar of the SSM in Žďár nad Sázavou was held on "modern forms of staying in nature", followed by a measure establishing the "Prázdninová škola" of the SSM Central Committee for further training of union members in modern forms of outdoor stay and leisure-time pedagogy. The school developed its method and expanded its courses to other age groups. Shortly after the Velvet Revolution, Prázdninová škola Lipnice constituted itself as a civic association. In 1991 it became a member of the international Outward Bound organisation, and in 1993 it founded the company Outward Bound – Česká cesta s.r.o., offering experiential courses on a commercial basis, especially team-building services for corporate customers. As a result of the transfer of SSM property, PŠL lost the centre "Na Hřebenech", whose owner became the Czech Camping Union (Česká tábornická unie). The name Lipnice, however, remained. In the present day PŠL offers several permanent projects (ZDrSem – first aid through experience, Sborovna, Gymnasion – a journal for experiential pedagogy, and others). The cornerstone of its work, however, remains authorial courses organised by volunteers. The aim of these courses is to give participants a strong impulse leading primarily to their further development and work on themselves. These include summer courses (Quo Vadis, Tyjo tati, Deja-vu, etc.) as well as winter expedition and residential courses (Wintertouch, Apalucha, Život je gotickej pes). ZDrSem – first aid through experience was founded in 1996. After the world Red Cross, ZDrSem courses have the longest tradition in the Czech Republic. It builds on PŠL's mission to use and develop experiential pedagogy as a path to human personality development. ZDrSem seeks to be a methodological centre for first aid teaching and, besides running many of its own courses (for target groups from doctors through schools, parents, athletes and companies to the general public), it also runs an accredited training of future lecturers called "Školitel". It was the first in the Czech Republic to focus on more thorough work with simulated situations, which are subsequently reflected upon by lecturers so that participants take away a real life-saving skill and, above all, confidence to provide first aid even in emotionally tense situations. Work with real experiences and the stress inseparable from first aid is important. Since its inception, more and more entities in the Czech Republic have recognised teaching through experience and have been more or less inspired by ZDrSem (for example PrPom, Rescue Training, Vitalus or Jak resuscitovat). Since 2014 ZDrSem has not been under the banner of Prázdninová škola Lipnice but operates as an independent entity. The company PrPom s.r.o. works on the same principles. PŠL has also published influential literature, including Gintel's "Prázdniny v pohybu" (1980), Hora's "Prázdniny se šlehačkou" (1984), Holec's "Instruktorský slabikář" (1994), Zapletal's "Zlatý fond her" (1990), and the subsequent volumes Zlatý fond her II (2011), III (2013) and IV (2013).

• 2014

  ZDrSem becomes an independent entity, no longer under PŠL.

• 1996

  ZDrSem – first aid through experience project is founded.

• 1993

  Outward Bound – Česká cesta s.r.o. is founded as a commercial arm.

• 1991

  PŠL becomes a member of the international Outward Bound organisation.

• 1977

  Prázdninová škola is established under the SSM Central Committee.

• 1974

  Principles for Organising Experimental Actions are formulated.

• 1970

  Experimental holiday courses begin, led by Allan Gintel (Pokus pro dvacet, Prima prázdnin, Gymnasion).

Pioneer and methodological centre of experiential pedagogy in the Czech Republic, combining non-profit personal development with professional training.

• Quo Vadis

• Tyjo tati

• Deja-vu

• Wintertouch

• Apalucha

• Život je gotickej pes

• ZDrSem

• Sborovna

• Gymnasion

1. 1PRÁZDNINOVKA - Prázdninová škola Lipnicepsl.cz
2. 2Prázdninová škola Lipnice – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Prázdninová škola Lipnice – Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org