The month of August offers plenty of opportunities for children and teens, including tournaments, games, music, and excursions to explore the area.
A title that says it all. A word that refers to a typical Castelfiorentino expression used to firmly urge someone to get moving. This is the calling card of “Gnamo” (Italian for “let’s go”), a project aimed at children and teenagers ages 12 and up. Throughout August, it aims to engage young people in a wide range of activities, both in the afternoon and after dinner (participation is free, but reservations are appreciated).
In addition to games, foosball tournaments, and music, the program includes gatherings for discussion and exchange in the town center (“Castello News,” August 5, 8:00–11:00 p.m.), singing sessions (6:00–8:00 p.m.), and Drum Circle sessions (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) taking place every Monday and Thursday throughout August (“Orpheus,” Vicolo delle Monache) . Starting August 24, there will also be numerous excursions “combining nature, discovery, and adventure” to offer a unique experience,
The result of a local collaborative planning effort involving numerous educational, school, sports, cultural, and community organizations in the area, “Gnamo” essentially aims to consolidate and develop activities that have been underway for some time, with the goal of expanding educational spaces and social opportunities available to young people, and building a more coordinated network to support the younger generations.
Specifically, starting on August 24, there will be five evening events for boys and girls ages 12 and up, departing from Ciaf at 5:30 p.m. and returning at 9:30 p.m. (packed dinner), organized in collaboration with Toscana Hiking Experience (reservations: 328.4136156): an “Orienteering” event (August 24) featuring practical exercises in map reading, compass use, etc.; an urban hike titled “Between Memory and Territory” (August 25) to explore the most significant sites through storytelling and intergenerational dialogue (with the participation of an Auser volunteer); a walk “along the Elsa River” (August 26) to learn about its environmental, scenic, and social value (with the participation of a member of the “Amici della Pesca” association); basic “Outdoor Living” techniques (August 27), featuring hands-on activities in nature, such as building temporary shelters, safely starting a fire, and some basic survival skills (with an expert from Polisportiva I’ Giglio’s “Survival” section); finally, “A Glimpse of Nature” (August 28), a guided nature photography excursion (with the participation of the “Giglio Rosso” Photography Group).
Also on August 28, there will be an “Afternoon on the Farm,” an event featuring animals and nature organized by “La piccola fattoria Sole&Luna” from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., aimed at youth ages 12 to 17 (reservations recommended at +39 333.8892174; transportation available)
“The Gnamo project,” emphasizes Marta Longaresi, Councilor for Youth Policies, “is the result of a collaborative effort with the many associations active in our area, and it is aimed at young people aged 12 to 24 in our community. We planned this first phase of the project for August—a time when there aren’t any particularly significant events—to offer them opportunities for growth, learning, and fun alongside those who, within their areas of expertise, are actively involved in the various associations. It is, therefore, an initiative born from the awareness that our community possesses an extraordinary wealth of skills, experiences, and relationships. Harnessing this wealth means making a concrete investment in the well-being, growth, and opportunities of our young people.”
