Training course for youth workers and educators who want to bring more creativity & play in their programs and improve the effectiveness of the learning process
30 July – 5 August 2025 | Ommen, The Netherlands
“Connect & Play” is a training course for educators and youth workers, who love their job and want to design engaging, dynamic and effective programs!
In 7 days, we will explore the following topics:
Learning design – basic models, theory and practice Working with groups – dynamics, systems, connection Why PLAY is so important in learning Types of PLAY and why RISKY PLAY is so cool! Work with nature elements Designing learning challenges!
“Connect & Play” is build on two main pillars:
CONNECTION
Every learner is different. Every interaction is unique. And as educators, trainers, or facilitators, our ability to create healthy, meaningful, and productive connections is at the heart of impactful learning.
Because here’s the truth:
Without connection, there is no real learning.
People open up, engage, and transform only when they feel safe and seen.
That’s why in this training, we’ll grow together by expanding:
🧭 Our ability to build connection – learning how to engage with participants while maintaining clarity and professionalism in our role.
🎧 Our skill to deeply listen – so we can design learning experiences that truly respond to the real needs of our learners.
🪞 Our inner stance as educators – exploring what it means to embody the role with presence, confidence, and care.
🤝 Our approach to human interaction – shifting from authority to authenticity, and from instruction to co-creation.
Let’s move beyond techniques and into genuine connection – the kind that empowers growth for both learners and facilitators.
PLAY
At its core, play is driven by curiosity, imagination, and the joy of exploration.
Play takes many forms:
🏃 Physical (running, climbing)
🎭 Social (role-playing, group games)
🌈 Imaginative (storytelling, pretending)
🎲 Rule-based (board games, sports)
Through play, we connect, create, challenge ourselves, and learn how to collaborate—all while having fun.
🧠 Play Is a Superpower for Learning
Play…
Boosts cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and executive functioning.
Builds emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork.
Enables embodied learning—by engaging the body, senses, and emotions.
Increases motivation, engagement, and knowledge retention.
In this training, we’ll explore how to integrate play into learning environments—
And how to design learning challenges that learners love!
The 6 Learning Outcomes of “Connect & Play”
At the end of our learning journey, you will
Have the skills to design your own learning programs in a human-centred way, integrating play.
Improve your knowledge in group dynamics and recognise patterns of belonging.
- Improve your communication skills and feel more confident in establishing professional connections with the group of learners.
- Identify easily the learning needs of the learners. You will improve your observation skills and practice to work with observation points.
- Feel comfortable to facilitate activities for critical reflection.
- Improve your adaptability and learn how to bring play, challenge and nature in your learning programs.
Location of the Training course
“Connect & Play’ Training course will take place in the beautiful Dutch town Ommen (Netherlands).
We will be hosted in the youth center house of the Olde Vechte Foundation, which is a home to dozens of trainings, youth exchanges and retreats every year.
Next to the house there is a forest, where we could have daily walks and connection to nature.
Near the house there is also a river, where you can take a cold swim (if you are a fan).
The Location is very easy to reach and 10 minutes walk from the train station in Ommen.
Timeline of the Training
Step 1: Preparation Phase
- 1 June – 30 July 2025
You apply. We connect with you; You organise your trip;
Step 2: The Training Course
- 29th July | Arrival in Ommen (before 18:00 CET)
- 30th July – 5 August | Training course
- 6th of August | Departure day
Step 3: Local Action
- August – October | Sharing through social media and local events the learnings from the project
The Team
Joanna Nikolova
Joanna is an Utrecht-based communication trainer and systemic coach, with expertise in Nonviolent communication and Systemic constellations.
Her educational background is in Cultural Anthropology & Communication.
Since 2023 she is the co-founder and director of Stichting EnvironMental and main trainer for the events of the Foundation.
Nynke Zandhuis
Nynke is an Amersfoort-based nature pedagogue and founder of Unynk.
She helps children and professionals grow through outdoor play, nature-based coaching, and creative learning experiences.
Nynke ca support you in bringing more connection, curiosity, and collaboration into your work or organization through risky play, nature learning and challenges.
Christian Walker
Team Supervisor & Learning Consultant
Omaima Hamdi
Facilitator – Movement & Empowerment
Vera Nedelcheva
Coordinator & Creative consultant in Stichting EnvironMental
Marianna Silva
Host & Team Support
Financial Agreements
This training course is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission. Your food, accommodation and transport are covered by the program.
We will ask you for participation fee of €50 that will be deduced from your travel reimbursement expenses.
Your travel expenses will be reimbursed up to certain amount, depending on the distance:
APPLY & JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF LEARNING & ADVENTURE
The selection procedure will be finished by the 15th of June 2025. Please, expect to receive confirmation by the 20th of June 2025.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write to us at
askaway.environmental@gmail.com