«The KBSU Campus is Hearts»: Participants of the «Movement of the First» Conquer Elbrus and Discover the Caucasus

The university camp of the All-Russian public and state movement of children and youth «Movement of the First» has kicked off at the Elbrus Educational and Scientific Complex of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov. Representatives of Kabardino-Balkaria and the Luhansk People’s Republic, as well as guests from the Kaliningrad Region, Central Russia, the South, the Volga Region, the Urals, and Siberia, gathered there. One hundred and fifty schoolchildren from 38 regions of Russia gathered in the Caucasus to study, make friends, and discover new horizons.

The camp program is the perfect balance of education, career guidance, sports, and creativity. The organizers ensured that each day was filled with engaging events, divided into five key modules.

As part of the career guidance module, students will learn about the intricacies of applying to KBSU. They will be introduced to the university’s infrastructure: campus tours and academic departments will help them better understand the university’s atmosphere. The educational program includes informal education training, intensive courses on self-discipline, public speaking workshops, and even first aid training from Kabardino-Balkarian medical volunteers.

The program also includes events dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Guests will visit KBSU’s national centers, where they will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Russian, Adyghe, and Balkar cultures. In addition to learning about customs, the program includes an interactive component: everyone will be taught the basics of Caucasian dances.

Cultural and leisure events will provide an emotional experience: creative evenings such as «Minute of Fame» and «King and Queen of the Shift,» intellectual quizzes, sports relay races, and cozy workshops on beadwork and fabric painting. And of course, the students will forever remember the thrilling cable car ride to the Garabashi station on Mount Elbrus and the hike to the picturesque Adyl-Su Gorge. The highlight will be an intellectual quiz, «The Year of Discoveries,» and the celebratory «Day of the First,» where the chairman of the regional branch of the «Movement of the First» in Kabardino-Balkaria will be the guest of honor.

Even in the first days of the camp, the participants admit that KBSU has captured their hearts.

«It’s very beautiful here, the atmosphere is incredible, and the university itself is very welcoming and welcoming. I’ve made many new friends. The KBSU camp is a heart-warming experience!» Marina Krapivina from the Tambov Region shares her emotions.

The students note that the program is not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful.

«It perfectly integrates the cultural background and national identity of Kabardino-Balkaria,» emphasizes Varvara Prusakova from the Chelyabinsk region.

And Veronika Blynskaya from Bashkortostan admits that she hasn’t encountered such creative tasks during team quests at any camp in the country.

There were also some touching reviews. Elizaveta Shvets from the Orenburg region, despite only being on her third day, already knows she’ll miss this place:

«University shifts at KBSU are a trendy, high-quality dopamine rush… You have to come here to understand: you’ll leave a different person.»
The nature of the Elbrus region is also impressive. For Elizaveta Shumeykova from Chuvashia, the most memorable event was a hike in the Adyl-Su Gorge:

«Every day brings new impressions!»

The «University Shifts» at KBSU prove that student life is a vibrant community, the incredible beauty of the mountains, and events that transform one’s worldview.

Through November 2026, 11 «University Shifts» are scheduled to take place at the Elbrus Educational and Scientific Complex of KBSU. 1,650 children from the reunified regions of the Russian Federation, as well as children from across the country who have passed the competitive selection process of the «Movement of the First,» will participate. The project is organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in collaboration with the All-Russian Public and State Movement of Children and Youth «Movement of the First.»