INTERNATIONAL CHAIN OF OAKS ASSOCIATION

In 1965 four communities in Europe set up an association to promote international friendship. The link between them was the names of their village or town which means ‘oak tree’, hence the Chain of Oaks. These are Eecke in France, Eke Belgium, Eiken Switzerland and Eicken-Bruche Germany.

Since it’s inception, every 2-3 years each community in turn, hosts a 3-day festival of music and social events. Visitors from the other countries are hosted in families so different cultures can be shared and new friendships developed.

In 1998 when it was Belgium’s turn to be host, is was decided to hold a youth camp in the week before the 3-day festival. It was also decided to invite other European ‘ oak tree’ communities to join the youth camp. Two communities agreed to join, Egtved in Denmark and EYKE in the UK. A successful camp was held with 60 young people including 10 from EYKE.

In 2001 another youth camp was held in Switzerland and in 2003it was held in France. Gr

In 2005 the event was in Germany from 6-14 August and was attended by 6 young people from EYKE accompanied by 3 leaders. The programme and photographic record can be seen at link www.jugendcamp.vier-doerfer-treff.de if you have problems connecting to all the pages try Youth Camp 2005 Eicken Bruche

In 2008 the camp was in EKE Belgium but unfortunately we unable to recruit a group of young people from EYKE.
Ann and Robin Stroud attended the 2008 festival representing the community of EYKE
You can see the Eke site of festival photos at www.eke-all-in.be/photo

                        


In 2008 the event will take place in Belgium