"Artek" International Children's Center has been the school of improving the pedagogical skills for students of pedagogical universities in Ukraine and CIS countries for many years. On initiative of the management and "Education without Borders" international charitable organization, the International workshop for student teaching groups and school groups has been functioning for three years. The aim of the event is to improve students' practical skills in organizing the children's activities.

This year, USPU representatives, namely the students and teachers of the Sociology and Psychology Department were lucky to join the "Artek 2014" competition seminar. Activists of the Department, students Vadym Ignatov, Andriy Kozlov, Tetiana Muzyka, Olena Polishchuk, Maksym Rebro together with Liliya Grebin, the lecturer in social pedagogy, social work and history of pedagogy, Olga Pidgorna, the coordinator of student social and psychological services were conquering the Crimean region demonstrating their high level of educational excellence.

During the festival the team members (14 teams total) have demonstrated "Welcome to Artek! Here we are" creative presentation, participated ??in gaming competitions (various developmental games in certain situations and workshops), supported the club programs, took part in competitions and leading children's dance programs, counselors contest. There were also sports competitions. According to the conditions of the competitions, each unit could participate in one of the abovelisted programs only (by choice). Our team was noticed at each stage. The most impressive were the workshops by Olga Podgorna and the performance of "Karkade" team of Imaginative and Quick-Witted.

The activities of the participants were evaluated by the members of the expert group consisting of highly qualified teachers and psychologists of "Artek". The seminar and competition program also included establishment of student teaching groups, workshops of practicioner teachers, involvement of the participants in the activity that contributes to the formation of the necessary professional skills of the organizer-teacher, familiarization with the conditions of pedagogical practice in "Artek" and teaching programs of "Artek" camps, holding interesting quests.

The long hours of training of our students and their leaders for the "Artek" activities were not in vain. The overall evaluation of the competition showed the following results: the unit of Uman team conquered the honorable first place and its members were awarded the cup of champion, medals and certificates. It is also worth mentioning that Maksym Rebro and Olga Pidgorna were one of the winners of "The card of the festival" contest. The "Artek" administration noted the persistence and enthusiasm of our members. For USPU it was the first time, and definitely not the last time to show their talents in this competition. Everyone will be waiting for our team again!