School of Young Geographers
Open-knowledge reference entry
School of Young Geographers (Latvian: Jauno ģeogrāfu skola) is an extracurricular educational body that prepares primary and secondary school students in geography, geology, environmental science and other related disciplines.
The school was founded on 23 February 1975 by a group of students of the Faculty of Geography of the University of Latvia led by Egils Birznieks. It has been operating uninterrupted ever since, being one of the oldest extant organisations of extracurricular education in Latvia.
It is located primarily in Riga, Latvia with its subsidiaries in Valmiera, Liepāja and Daugavpils. For certain periods its sister schools have been operated in other cities of Latvia: Grobiņa, Jelgava, Ogre, Salaspils, Rēzekne, Kuldīga and Druva.
Up to 500 school students participate in the monthly events organised by the School in 4 regions of Latvia. in its non-formal education events: quizzes, presentations, research conferences, wilderness expeditions, fieldworks and outdoor games. The School also organises annual national geography olympiads in Latvia and international olympiads in the Baltic Sea region.
Presidents of the school
Presidents of the central school
Anita Vanaga - 1976-1977
Tālis Jaunzemis - 1977-1979
Anita Tišlere - 1979-1982
Juris Paiders - 1982-1986
Ilmārs Mežs - 1986-1989
Aivars Beldavs - 1989-1992
Gatis Pāvils - 1992-1996
Mārtiņš Vimba - 1996-1998
Uldis Klepers - since 1998
Presidents of the Vidzeme School of Young Geographers
Uldis Klepers - 1998-2000
Andris Vinters - 2000-2007
Gatis Kampernovs - since 2007
Presidents of Latgale School of Young Geographers
Gatis Kampernovs - 2011-2015
Edmunds Gutāns - since 2015
Recognition
In 1978 the Geographic Society of the Soviet Union awarded the School with its honorary medal for contribution in extracurricular education of the Soviet Union.
Both its founder Egils Birznieks and its longest running president Uldis Klepers have been awarded Kronvald's prize by the president of Latvia for their lifetime contribution to the education of Latvia.
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