The second summer shift of the military-patriotic camp "I Want to Become a Paratrooper" has started in Nizhny Novgorod.

      The solemn event dedicated to the start of the second shift of the military-patriotic camp "I Want to Become a Paratrooper" took place in Nizhny Novgorod. More than 90 students went to the camp. This was reported by the Department of Social Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Administration. After the traditional performance of the anthem of the Russian Federation, the director of the city’s Department of Social Policy, Galina Gurenko, addressed the campers and their parents with parting words. "I am glad that you have made the serious decision to become students of the camp 'I Want to Become a Paratrooper.' Such traditional restrictions for the camp, such as the absence of mobile phones, computers, and other gadgets, are a challenge for many of your peers. But this step, along with a clear daily routine, useful intellectual and physical loads, thematic and patriotic events, will allow you to reformat yourself, look around, and see things you previously overlooked," noted Galina Gurenko, adding that the camp is 20 years old and is the only one in Russia where children master a course in airborne training and make a solo parachute jump in 21 days. "The skills acquired at the camp, resilience, the ability to work and achieve your goals, and teamwork experience will be useful to you everywhere in life, in any profession, in any team. I wish both the children and their parents to honorably pass all the tests. Safe travels!" – encouraged the campers Galina Gurenko. The head of the Maxim Nastin Center for Military-Patriotic Education in Nizhny Novgorod, Alexander Naidenov, wished the children to show determination in mastering the entire volume of knowledge and skills that will be provided during this camp period. "You will have classes and master classes, 'Zarnitsa,' tournaments in modern sword fighting, 'Laser Tag,' football and volleyball games. Before you know it, the shift will be over. You will find new friends whom you won’t want to part with. And after the camp, we are waiting for all of you at the Center to continue what you started: to learn, to develop, to become real people and patriots of your Motherland," noted Alexander Naidenov. "Every day in life we take another step. Today you demonstrate your readiness to rise another step and go through your lesson of becoming. I wish you to confidently, honorably, and with dignity pursue your goals," wished the children the deputy chairman of the city council of war and labor veterans, Colonel Dmitry Shipov. Those gathered honored the memory of the soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War with a moment of silence and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame memorial in Zhukov Square. Parents and relatives of the campers of the second shift shared their expectations and hopes. "We are going to the camp for the fifth time. My son really wanted to go. This time we are looking forward to an independent, already adult parachute jump. I think after this event he will approach decision-making and evaluating his actions more responsibly, thinking differently," said the mother of a camper, Nadezhda Broshkova. "We are going for the fourth time. We really love the camp. Discipline, responsibility, strength — all these skills he brings back from the camp. A true example for his younger brother. We all really like it," shared the mother of a camper, Larisa Gorbunova. "We are going to this camp for the first time. My son expressed the desire himself. He attends the Center for Military-Patriotic Education and goes there with enthusiasm. It’s still early, but next year we will prepare for a parachute jump. This is such a necessary, 'combat' step in development: to go through all levels of training, overcome oneself, and come to the finish line as a winner," shared the father of a camper, Andrey Kalinin. "We are going for the third time. The camp provides education and discipline. I hope this year he will also make a parachute jump, and in the future, he is thinking of enrolling in the Kstovo Engineering Military School," noted the father of a camper, Vladimir Trushchenkov. "This is our second year attending the camp shift. My son likes military subjects, military history, and he dreams of jumping with a parachute. This year he has already reached the required age. In the camp, children become more mature, stronger, and more resilient," said the mother of a camper, Olga Metelkina. The shift will conclude with a traditional ceremony at the Eternal Flame memorial in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, where participants of the military-patriotic camp who made a solo parachute jump will be awarded a "Parachutist Certificate" and badges. Earlier, the head of the city, Yuri Shalabaev, together with the students of the Center for Military-Patriotic Education (CMPE), opened a new UAV division in the territory of the "Switzerland" park. The mayor noted that schools in the most advanced fields will operate for the children, and the CMPE today is a powerful educational ecosystem. It is worth noting that three branches of the center have already started operating in the Nizhny Novgorod, Prioksky, and Avtozavodsky districts.