Painting rooms in a Hostel pod voglom

In the low season Hostel pod Voglom is largely linked to programs of educational institutions (primary and secondary schools, gymnasiums, student groups and various voluntary organizations). Being the biggest hostel in Slovenia (47 rooms, 120 beds) has sufficient capacity to carry out various sports and science camps and outdoor school. Due to good technical support (projector, projection screen, plasma, wireless internet connection, computer available, writing board...) and big dining room, we have the possibility of running seminars and other educational projects.

Hostel pod Voglom consists of a central part of the reception, bar and restaurant and annex building, where the majority of accommodation facilities are located. As an annex was built in 1970, when the predominant method of construction was military (small rooms and bathrooms, no additions) and there have been no significant investment in it until today, rooms were very dull and dark.

Since the hostel is hired for a fixed period of time and large investments in renovation are not profitable, we decided to repaint the rooms. In the past, we were involved in smaller projects with educational institutions for several times and we asked to be connected to any medium-or. higher educational institution that would use our empty room walls for their educational purposes.

We send few offers to different schools, and the headmaster of Sežana Secondary school Centre Mr. Dusan Štolfa was prepared for the cooperation. Headmaster has decided that the participation of the program Design techniques would be most suitable. On the school website we can read that they offer a lot of theoretical and practical skills, together with the high quality personnel and professional teachers. It is this practical knowledge which allows all students to integrate theory with practice and thus ensure the permanence of knowledge and gain a wealth of experience for further studies and employment. This program also provides job training in the form of working practices, in the second and third year. Students may be undertaking to exercise practice of their choice or the school help them choose.

Students acquire practical knowledge in different ways, during a four-year school they have many activities, where students test their theoretical knowledge in practice. Especially students of this program have many options that can put their ideas in practice and use the method "learning by doing."

They certainly proved that with their paintings in Hostel pod Voglom.

End of school year 2010, seven students (Neja Vecchia, Anja Bavcon, Nadja Righetti, Karin Pahor, Mateja Dužnik, Sandra Vrh, Anja Božič) and their professor Renata Nikolić came in Bohinj.

Girls were required to paint 3 rooms. The theme of painting was the Slovenian Tourism Organisation campaign NEXT EXIT. Of the six routes (Sun, Goldenhorn, Wind, Amber, Peddler, Emerald) girls have chosen Golden Horn, Emerald and Peddler route.

Girls were divided in groups and work started. Active energy was extremely large by all participants, both by a professor as well as students. The group came only for the weekend, so they only had 3 days time.

The original agreement included a painting in the morning and sports activities (bike, canoe, and hike) in the afternoon, but for all that was not enough time.

Within three days the girls with technical assistance from Professor Renata Nikolic fully painted three rooms and corridor. Our expectations have been exceeded and for their good work, all participants received a prize - a weekend package includes rental of a canoe. All the girls had taken account of our wishes - subject and method of painting as well as requirements to protect furniture and other surfaces. We believe that students obtain the necessary experience to work independently with any similar orders in the future.

The project was successfully completed on both sides, so this kind of cooperation may become a tradition. Taking into account the fact that the rest of the hostel has 44 unpainted rooms, there will be opportunities for much more painting.