History Camp in Felvidék
For the groups of Nagybajom 1 and Pécs 2 the History Camp started in June 2014. They are spending the following few days (29 June to 5 July) in Slovakia where the students can learn about the country’s interesting places and they can expand their history knowledge. During the camp the colourful and various programmes gives new experience to the children.
Arriving to Felvidék
On the 29th of June we left to our summer camp, which encompasses historical themes. Arriving to Bratislava, on the first day we went along River Danube, which reminded us to Hungary. Our tour guide told us many interesting information about the city and the country, which is new for us. After visiting some of the historic places and buildings of the city we went to our accommodation. The Bee Open Air Museum, our accommodation, gave us something new and interesting as well. Unfortunately, the rainy weather tried to be against us, but we enjoyed the first day.
Day two
After the abundant breakfast we explored Bratislava. Although it was raining all day, we were happy to visit the St. Martin’s Cathedral then the Bratislava Castle. It was unusual to be in those buildings where our greatest kings and queens, like Maria Theresa, were crowned many centuries ago. We paid attention not only to old but modern buildings, e.g. Eurovea Shopping Centre.
Day three
After yesterday’s rainy days, the morning sun gave us hope for better weather day. After breakfast we took an uncommon trip into the world of bees. Our host showed us the most interesting things about apiary. Later we hopped on the bus and travelled to Kistapolcsány to visit the castle, which was handed over among kings and queens. We walked to the stables of Lipizzan Studs where five different breeds were shown: the famous Lipizzan horses, Arabian horses, Slovak sport horses, Hucul ponies and Shagya Arabians. When we were waken from daydreaming among the beautiful horses we already arrived to Nitra Castle, other nice old buildings, other endless stories. After a short break we occupied our new hotel rooms and after dinner everyone was tired enough to go straight to bed.
Day four
Today we had a fantastic day because we visited the Driny Caves in the Little Carpathians Landscape Protection Area. The cave was explored in 1929, its speciality is the elephant’s ear shaped dripstone. Then we headed to the Pálffy family’s ancient castle, the Vöröskő castle where we got an interesting tour guiding. In the park of the castle, we could admire gyrfalcons and ravens. After abundant lunch we visited Modra where the area’s famous pottery factory works. We watched the potteries the furnaces and we could try pottery as well. We were tired on the way back to the accommodation but it was worth it.
Járay Bianka
Day five
After breakfast we were ready for the challenges of the day. First, we visited the old Jókai mill on the bank of River Little Danube. The old man, who was our tour guide, told us about old time’s stories just like the old building itself. After the tour guide we had a short break then we visited the county house in Nagyfödémes. The climax of the day was three words: Silver Lake Ranch. The breath taking farm enchanted all of us into the world of western feeling, horses, western equipment, tractors and beautiful landscape. After lunch we explored the area and played paintball. At the end of the day we were going back home happily.
The Chronicle
Day six
If last day, then team building. After breakfast, we had free time. We played football, tennis, basketball and swam. By lunch time, everyone was tired but the groups got on well with each others very well. After lunch we walked down to town where we fought aginst the heat with real Slovak ice-cream. on our way back, we heard stories about the oldes family and about the towerless St. George church and its hudreds of metres of wine cellery system. After dinner we played music together and tomorrow with full of memories we go back home. Thank you for this memorable camp!
The Chronicle