This year, for the third time, we organized our nature conservation camp in cooperation with the Fauna and Flora Foundation.
For the first time, the camp took place at the picturesque Mag Tanya in Bárdudvarnok, where the programs were held between July 14 and 18. Thanks to an open application, not only the Foundation’s supported students but also interested and talented 5th–8th grade students from the Kaposvár district could participate in the camp.
On Monday, we kicked off the week with cheerful get-to-know-you games, then worked together to create the camp rules. In the afternoon, we played badminton, ball games, and explored the site’s features and possibilities. The day ended with a fun hay bale rolling competition, followed by a large-scale number war – everyone was thoroughly worn out by the end. We closed the day with a quiet, reflective group conversation, then headed to bed to be ready for the next day’s adventures.
On Tuesday, we woke up early, as a fishing demonstration awaited us at 6 AM at a lake being drained. Afterwards, we hiked through the Gyertyános Park Forest in Kaposvár, around the Négytestvér (Four Brothers) spring. In the afternoon, we took part in a museum education activity at the István Fekete Visitor Center at Lake Deseda and explored the lake’s wildlife on a boat tour. At the boat dock, we were joined by Uncle Miklós, who spent the rest of the day with us.
On Wednesday, we visited the Deer Farm in Bőszénfa, where our guide introduced us to the farm animals in detail. We petted the friendlier creatures and then rode a tractor out to observe wild deer in their natural environment. In the trophy room, we learned about the wildlife species living in the Zselic region, and we even cleared up a common misconception: a fawn is not a baby deer (meaning it’s not the offspring of a red deer)! In the afternoon, we played team-building games at Lake Ropoly and then visited the Zselic Star Park, where we learned about our galactic surroundings. At the end of the day, we also received a quick crash course in restaurant etiquette!
On Thursday morning, we visited the local hunters in Nagybajom, where we viewed an extensive trophy exhibition. We also toured a wild boar enclosure that is home to around 400 animals and got a close look at one of the herds. In the afternoon, we began preparing for Friday’s closing event: the children presented what they had learned throughout the week through creative projects. The presentations were viewed by Sándor Németh, the head gamekeeper and curator of the Fauna and Flora Foundation.
We will update the Gallery with photos taken throughout the week!