A perfect blend of relaxation for the soul and body - that's what the "Politechnik" educational and recreational complex in Bunyrevo, Aleksin district, offers to the students of Tula State University.
In the summer of 2025, "Politechnik" was a hub for science, sports, language learning, and project development, with some initiatives poised for real-world implementation in the near future. The "Politechnik" base is a familiar and beloved place for many generations of TSU students, as the tradition of summer retreats on the banks of the Vashana River near the Oka has spanned over half a century.
While students come and go, the camp itself evolves, continuously refining its thematic programs: sports and wellness, trade union activities, scientific pursuits, and linguistics. In 2025, "Politechnik" welcomed over 350 students throughout the summer. The weather was varied, sometimes quite capricious, but the students never spent a single dull day. For instance, the linguistic school "Dive into Science!", held for the fourth time this year, packed its schedule from morning till night with diverse activities: training sessions, masterclasses, lectures by leading speakers, and project work. This unique project brought together Russian and international students at TSU's countryside facility.
Another highlight was the field practice for first-year Biology students from TSU's Institute of Natural Sciences. From morning to evening, they worked in the fields and forests, studying the flora and fauna of the Tula region. This past summer gifted them a unique discovery: the students found a single specimen of the Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria), a fern species listed in the Red Data Book. They documented its location, described the plant, and significantly enriched the department's herbarium collection.
Regardless of the session's theme, a day at "Politechnik" follows a structured routine. The morning on base begins with the Russian national anthem at 8 a.m. After morning exercises comes breakfast, followed by a full day of sports, cultural events, and other thematic activities. These include creative contests, the "Mr. and Ms. Politechnik" pageant, fun relay races, and informal musical gatherings. Yes, the classic campfire guitar songs are a staple. There was also time for relaxing on the beach or playing board games. Order is always maintained by teams of student duty officers, and the day concludes with the traditional evening lineup.
The 2025 session for the TSU Trade Union of Students and Postgraduates was particularly productive. Ten days were dedicated to strengthening inter-institute collaboration, educational lectures, and masterclasses. For the second year running, "Politechnik" hosted about a hundred activists from the university's primary trade union organization. The first session resulted in student-developed projects aimed at improving the university's infrastructure. This summer, the students worked on creating grant applications for the "Rosmolodyozh. Grants" competition.
Veronika Sanina, a third-year student from the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, shared her excitement: "I'm incredibly happy that I managed to attend the trade union session in Bunyrevo this year. Time flies by there - filled with project work, relaxation, socializing, and fun events. 'Politechnik' is the best place to make new friends, and we in the student committee really need them!"
The desire to make the university better is a goal shared by both students and the administration of TSU. During a visit to "Politechnik," Rector Oleg Aleksandrovich Kravchenko supported the students’ proposal to create a student common area - a coworking space - in one of the dormitories in Tula. This space will allow students to prepare for classes, work on projects, or simply gather with friends.
And of course, when reminiscing about the past summer, one cannot forget the Athlete's Day, a beloved holiday for many generations of TSU students. It was, undoubtedly, celebrated in 2025 as well. The sports session brought together 79 participants, as explained by Yevgenia Sergeyevna Tsyplenkova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Pedagogy, Physical Education, Sports, and Tourism: "This session wasn't for varsity teams, but for students who represent their institutes in various disciplines or simply have a passion for an active lifestyle."
The program featured competitions in volleyball, basketball, table tennis, Russian lapta, arm wrestling, and chess. Daily morning exercises and fun starts were, of course, mandatory.
"Politechnik" fosters a unique atmosphere. Everyone who comes here carries a piece of this wonderful place in their soul and yearns to return again and again. This has been proven true for decades.

Dmitry Litvinov
Photos provided by participants of the "Politechnik" educational and recreational complex sessions