Rural Community development option:
Instead of travelling to Zagorzk and Suzdal, Steppes Schools can arrange for time to be spent at the Kitezh and/or Orion villages. This link can be created with your school at the time of booking and can be fostered so that the children in your school are already part of village life when they arrive at Kitezh. At the same time as learning about the Russian rural culture, the children of your school can be directly involved in benefiting the community. Kitezh Children’s Community consists of two villages, Kitezh and Orion. The two communities are the beginning of the vision for a network of Therapeutic Communities for orphan children all over Russia. Volunteering at Kitezh or Orion is a great opportunity as the communities are inspirational and unique, and you will feel well rewarded by the experience. Kitezh Children’s Community is growing fast, and there is plenty to be done - with the children, gardening, cooking, and building. Whatever your talents or expertise, you can contribute to this innovative approach to family-based, rural community care and education for orphan children. Orion is the second children’s village to be built on the Kitezh model, and although much smaller at this stage, is also open to volunteers. Kitezh can appeal to volunteers of all ages who are interested in working with children, seeking to improve their Russian language, looking for an interesting travel experience and an opportunity to be of service to others at the same time. However, living in a remote rural Russian community in very close proximity to others is also a challenge.
School Visit
Day 2 of the itinerary there will be the chance to meet a number of Russian students from a local school to gain an understanding of life in Moscow. In the afternoon you will visit the Armoury Palace, home to an increasing collection of the Royal Family's valuables. These valuables now include art treasures of the Kremlin, clothes and jewels worn by the Royal Family, chalices, watches, bowls and Fabergé eggs. In the evening there is a chance to enjoy an evening meal with some of the students from the local school.