Adventure that educates

Learning Without Walls, Growing Through Exploration—of Ourselves and the World

📍 ARAO | Miercurea Ciuc, 🇷🇴

Our Mission

At ARAO, our mission is to use grassroots sports and outdoor activities as non-formal learning tools to foster skill development among youth and promote solidarity across diverse communities. We are passionate about NATURE and believe in its power to teach, challenge, and inspire. Through engaging, health-enhancing physical activities in the great outdoors, we create meaningful experiences that build confidence, resilience, and social connection. This is what we call "adventure that educates."

Our Vision

We envision a world where young people are not only active but deeply aware of the transformative benefits of nature and grassroots sports—where they thrive physically, mentally, and socially through meaningful outdoor experiences. At ARAO, we believe the outdoors is more than a backdrop—it’s a powerful source of energy, connection, and personal growth.

We aim to inspire a generation that values movement, embraces challenge, and understands the lifelong benefits of active living. Whether it’s discovering your inner athlete, experiencing the joy of teamwork, or gaining new life skills through play and sport, we champion inclusive, health-enhancing activities that nurture both body and mind.

Nature is our common passion—a shared ground that connects youth across Europe, regardless of background or borders. In the forests, on the trails, or in a game played together, young people find not only themselves but one another.

Through "adventure that educates," we guide youth toward becoming confident, resilient, and connected individuals who carry the lessons of the outdoors into every aspect of life.

Our Invitations

Step outside and feel alive!

At ARAO, we love spending time outdoors. It benefits both physical and mental health by providing natural light, fresh air, opportunities for exercise, and helps reduce daily stress. Nature can be a great non-formal educator.

Discover your inner athlete!

We believe that health-enhancing physical activities are for everyone! Whether a seasoned athlete or just starting, there's an activity out there that you'll enjoy and become fully immersed in. With ARAO, you may discover the one that's right for you.

Bridge cultures and generations!

Grassroots sports and outdoor activities are a universal language that unites diverse cultures and ages through a shared passion. ARAO's team is an example of this, as it brings together teenage volunteers and experienced seniors.

What we do

Youth Exchanges

ARAO is an accredited youth organization that brings together young people from different countries through international youth gatherings. Using sports and outdoor activities as tools for non-formal education, we create spaces where participants explore shared interests, learn about the world, and broaden their perspectives.

Staff Training

We collaborate with local, national, and cross-border partners, including professionals from various fields. Our goal is to provide training opportunities—such as workshops, seminars, and conferences — where our staff and partners can develop their skills and contribute to maintaining high-quality standards within our work.

Grassroots Sports & Outdoors

We organize local and national activities and events focused on grassroots sports and outdoor experiences to engage young people in an active lifestyle, foster a mindful connection with nature, and promote the natural beauty of our county and country.

Awareness Raising Campaigns

We run awareness campaigns to promote EU opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, encouraging them to engage in mobility, education, and volunteering. We also promote environmental awareness, an active lifestyle, and inspire youth to explore nature and try grassroots sports, helping them grow and connect in a more inclusive Europe.

Who are we

We are a team of outdoor enthusiasts, youth workers, and dedicated professionals passionate about using nature and grassroots sports to inspire and educate. With experience in working with young people from all backgrounds—including those facing fewer opportunities—we are committed to creating safe, inclusive, and high-quality non-formal learning experiences. Through our activities, we promote active lifestyles, environmental awareness, and access to EU opportunities, helping youth grow, connect, and thrive.

Andreea Garbea

Andreea Garbea serves as the legal representative of the ARAO Sport Club, with a background in public relations and project management. Her interest in sports and outdoor activities was sparked during a kayak expedition along the Danube River from Bratislava to Sulina, leading to the establishment of the ARAO club and a commitment to promoting outdoor leisure activities among young people.

With experience as a kayaker, Andreea has led expeditions on the Danube and Mures rivers. Currently pursuing paragliding, she is undergoing training to become a licensed pilot. In addition to her role in the ARAO club, Andreea volunteers at the Mountain Rescue Center in BALAN, demonstrating her commitment to community service.

Andreea's involvement in youth work traces back to her student years, engaging with various youth organizations. She has participated in multiple stages of youth exchange projects under the Erasmus+ framework, taking on roles as a participant, group leader, and organizer, accumulating experience in over 10 Youth Exchanges (YEs).

Known for her empathetic nature, patience, and ability to work with youth from diverse backgrounds, Andreea has completed a Ministry-certified course on socio-educational animation and youth work. In her role as a youth worker, she aims to expand the participation of young people with fewer opportunities in the organization's activities. Recognizing the positive impact of sports and outdoor pursuits on empowerment, Andreea is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for all youth to engage and flourish.

Pavel Rancz

Pavel Rancz is the vice-president of ARAO Club and is an infinite source of energy and joy. At 72 years old, Pavel continues to practice paragliding, skiing, kayaking, swimming and hiking proving that age is not an impediment to practicing sports. In fact, his conviction is that this active lifestyle and spending time outdoors nurtured his good physical condition and well-being.

Pavel is an experienced paraglider with over 30 years of activity, being one of the first promoters of the sport in Romania. In the field of kayaking, he paddled in 2018 the entire course of Danube: from Ingolstadt to Sfantul Gheorghe branch and in 2019 from Bratislava to Sulina. He loves to spend time in nature; camping is one of his favourite activities. Connected to the Erasmus+ programme, his experience consists of leading and guiding the young participants as the group leader. Has experience in working with young people and always finds communication bridges to reduce the age and cultural distance between him and young people.

Laszlo Rancz

Laszlo Levente Rancz assumes the role of secretary within the organization. Rooted in a family ethos that places high value on certain principles, Levente draws inspiration from his upbringing as the son of Pavel.

Levente is not only a dedicated administrator but also an avid sports enthusiast, actively engaging in the practice of paragliding. His commitment to the sport extends beyond casual participation, as he frequently competes in a variety of competitions dedicated to paragliding. This active involvement showcases his passion for sports and his desire to contribute to the community within this niche.

Having spent many years navigating the intricacies of the commercial landscape, he has honed valuable skills in document administration. This expertise positions him as a reliable and detail-oriented asset, essential for the effective functioning of the organization's administrative processes.

Dumitru Siriteanu

Dumitru is our organization's seasoned instructor with over 40 years of extensive experience in mountain climbing and utility alpinism. His wealth of knowledge includes instructing beginner climbers and leading the national contingent of climbers. He has been a certified Mountain Rescue professional for many years, bringing a high level of expertise and safety awareness to our team.

His invaluable support extends to providing training sessions for both our team and volunteers, enhancing their skills and ensuring a strong foundation in mountain-related activities. Dumitru's dedication and extensive background contribute significantly to the overall competence and preparedness of our organization.

Cătălina Atomulese

Cătălina is a dedicated volunteer and high school student at Liceul Sportiv “Nadia Comăneci” Onești. Passionate about sports and aspiring to become a PE teacher, she was inspired by her first Erasmus+ experience to explore non-formal education and other cultures. Though just starting out, her curiosity and positive attitude drive her to grow through volunteering and self-development.

Tudor Ursu

Tudor Ursu is a valuable addition to our team, contributing extensive experience as a facilitator and animator within youth exchange programs. In his role, he not only manages the coordination of volunteers but also meticulously guides and monitors their activities. His expertise significantly enhances the effectiveness of our youth initiatives, guaranteeing a positive experience for all our participants.

Tudor's specialization lies in non-formal education, where he skillfully employs methods such as outdoor games, music tools, theater to unfold socio-educational activities for youth. His innovative approach creates dynamic and engaging learning environments, fostering personal and collective development among participants.

NETWORK

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We are part of ASEY, a European Network of youth organisations that aims to provide excellent non-formal learning activities for young people all across Europe.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US!

If you find our projects interesting, we may be able to collaborate regardless of your location!

If you're keen on volunteering with us, you can find us on social media or reach out to us via email.

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