The regional tourist and local history gathering of school students took place in Chkalovsk.

      On July 6, 2026, at 13:33, Society3 and 4, a regional tourist and local history gathering for schoolchildren took place in Chkalovsk. The event was organized for 200 young residents of Nizhny Novgorod by the regional Ministry of Education, the "Movement of the First" branch in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and the "Vega" center. The gathering was one of the events of the All-Russian project "Hikes of the First - more than a journey."

      As noted by the Minister of Education of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Mikhail Puchkov, the region is actively developing tourist-educational and local history projects for youth today. They provide an opportunity not only to broaden children's horizons but also to achieve a deep understanding of the subjects studied in practice.

      "We strive to involve as many children as possible in such events. Just this academic year, 710 Nizhny Novgorod schoolchildren underwent training in 14 additional general development programs in the field of children's and youth tourism. Large-scale tourist-sporting events brought together more than five thousand kids," he shared.

      Children over the age of 12 from more than a dozen municipalities in the region participated in the regional tourist and local history gathering. The event was held as part of the implementation of the national project "Youth and Children." It united members of tourist clubs, winners and prize-winners of the All-Russian competition "Discover the Country!", as well as participants of municipal tourist gatherings. All schoolchildren were divided into teams.

      The intensive competitive program included sports orienteering, traversing a tourist-local history route, completing a pedestrian distance "link," a water distance on rafts, competitions on means of transportation, and the "Jumaring" contest.

      "Tourism is not only active recreation but also an effective educational tool that helps children better know their homeland, learn to work in a team, make decisions, and overcome difficulties. Today, we see a growing interest among children in hiking culture, local history, and research activities, so the development of tourism is one of the important priorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Already now, the regional branch of the 'Movement of the First' unites about 150 active kids from different municipalities in the region. Together, they participate in hikes, excursions, tourist quizzes, project sessions, and local history initiatives, discovering new routes and opportunities for development. The regional tourist and local history gathering becomes an important platform for communication, experience exchange, and forming a community of like-minded individuals. We are confident that such projects contribute to the upbringing of an active and responsible generation that loves its small homeland and is ready to explore Russia," said the first deputy chair of the council of the regional branch of the "Movement of the First," Dinara Aizatullina.

      A competition for local historians, competitions for tying tourist knots, a photography contest, a culinary skills contest, a presentation of team business cards, and a contest for the best organization of tourist life in field conditions were also organized for schoolchildren.

      "I thought the tourist gathering was about how to run faster and collect everything. But it turned out to be about how not to leave behind someone who is tired and how to find the way together, even if the compass is 'joking'," shared the impressions of the gathering participant, an activist of the "Movement of the First" from the Kstovo district of Nizhny Novgorod, Kirill Ushakov.

      Special attention at the gathering was paid to the educational program. Practical workshops on local history and orientation in the area, as well as master classes on tourist training, were held for children. One of the key events was a "Class Meeting" with traveler and scientist Andrey Astashin - a candidate of geographical sciences, associate professor of the geography department, geographical and geoecological education at Minin University, and a participant in the scientific and educational project of the Russian Geographical Society "Floating University of the Volga Basin."

      "The main thing that the kids will remember is not the route, but how they held on to each other. We at 'Vega' know: olympiads teach you to think, while hikes teach you not to give up. And it is precisely such skills as responsibility and team spirit that will stay with them for life," noted the head of the regional talent development center "Vega," Irina Zinovyeva.

      As a result of the gathering, the best teams and participants were awarded diplomas, branded products, and tourist equipment.

      Let us remind you that the national project "Youth and Children" has been implemented since 2025 by the order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. It includes nine federal projects and programs: "Russia - a country of opportunities," "We are together," "Russia in the world," "All the best for children," "Leading schools," "Teachers and mentors," "Creating a network of modern campuses," "Universities for the generation of leaders," and "Professionalism." The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.