On the Day of Russian Student Squads on 17 February, the SPbGASU student squads held an event to attract new candidates to their ranks. The guys talked about squad life, handed out leaflets, sang and even boxed.

Students were offered to test their knowledge of the history of the university and the squad movement in a quiz format. Prizes were raffled off among the participants.

"We need new, energized members to grow and develop," explained Georgy Galaev, commander of the Hermes student agricultural squad and a third-year student in the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Municipal Services. This is Georgy's first year in the squad, but he already holds a responsible position. Georgy said that before this he worked in the Cousteau squad, but realized that he still needed the sun and vitamin D.

Sofia Sidorova (commissioner) and Daria Gorbunova (commander) of the SPS "Svoboda"

You can also get a lot of sun and vitamin D by joining the pedagogical squad "Svoboda". "We go only to places where there is a sea. This is our rule," said the squad commander Daria Gorbunova, a second-year student at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Municipal Services. "Every summer, the squad works two shifts. And before work, they rest - to gain strength, get a good tan and start teaching children happy and full of energy."

Vadim Fedotov, a fifth-year student at the Faculty of Automobile and Road Building, represented the Cousteau squad. Cousteau spends its working seasons mostly in the North. Vadim was invited to join the movement in his second year. Deciding that student squads were similar to school practice, Vadim initially refused. But in his third year, he decided to give it a try. He liked it and stayed.

Sergey Voronin, a fourth-year bachelor's student at the Faculty of Architecture, a fighter, and former commissar of the Lin' student archaeological squad, shared his story: “For three years I have been spinning in a whirlpool of youth and fun – in squads! I have gone from a candidate to a fighter and leader of cultural and mass activities, a commissar. In the summer, I always had a backpack, and endless natural spaces ahead, leaving memories for a lifetime. The rest of the year, there are many cool university, city, and all-Russian events of various types: entertaining, educational, creative, and sincere. And the list of informal friendly meetings is endless, with an incredible story for each one! Spontaneity, energy, and adventurism accompany us on adventures every time. The only thing missing is you!”