Press Release: A week of learning, exploration, and fun for children
Between July 7 and July 11, 2025, we were delighted to host the fourth annual Urban Summer Camp for the children of our employees — whether their parents or grandparents. The entire holiday week gave the children a wide range of exciting experiences and was made possible through the full financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture. This time, all 20 registered children took part in the summer camp. We prepared an engaging programme full of trips, educational walks, physical activities, and relaxing creative time. We believe the children had an unexpectedly fun start to their summer holidays with us. They made new friends and learned a little more about agriculture, nature conservation, and animal care. The programme was also shaped by suggestions from children in previous years, and we strive to fulfil some of their wishes while offering something new and interesting.
Each of the five camp days revolved around a key theme. The first day focused on finding one’s way, navigation, and using a compass in nature. On the second day, the children set out on an animal-themed expedition guided by experts from Brno Zoo. On the third day, the children explored the nearby area of Medlánecké Hills, discovering the richness and vibrant colours of the local fauna and flora. Experienced guides from the environmental group Rezekvítek introduced them to fascinating places, shared stories, and highlighted the diverse range of plants, insects, and unique species found on the outskirts of Brno. The key theme of the fourth day was the forest in its various forms and aspects. The children undertook an adventurous journey through the deep forest in search for a beautiful forest nursery hidden within. On site, they learned about the entire life cycle of a tree — from seed to seedling ready for planting. An interesting stop featuring the diversity of trees, shrubs, and lianas was the visit to the Křtiny Arboretum. The forest adventure and expert guidance were provided by the University Enterprise Masaryk Forest in Křtiny, which is part of Mendel University in Brno. On the last day, the children met with an instructor from the Czech Red Cross, who taught them essential principles and tips, and provided them with useful information for every young rescuer.
The goal of all the summer camp activities is to provide meaningful experiences and help children better understand the mission of agriculture, stay connected to nature, and gain a deeper appreciation of the work their parents or grandparents do at our institute. The week, filled with trips, also included various small creative activities — the children made their own navigation viewer, learned to use a compass, crafted their favourite animal out of paper, and sometimes simply relaxed while watching a fairy tale. The enthusiastic feedback and the smiles of the children and their parents show that we gave them a week full of memorable experiences to start the summer holidays.
