Summer CAMPaign - Together, we did it again!

Day 1, Friday

Wheels on the train go round and round. To do so, we met early at the East Warsaw Station, took a few photos, said goodbye to our parents and off we went to Zakopane. In the early afternoon we got to our new, camp “home” and had time to unpack, get to know each other and to rest. After dinner and siesta, we had time to set the ground rules, more integration, games and activities. The first night in Zakopane is ahead of us.

Day 2, Saturday

Rainy day doesn’t mean boring day! How do we know that? Well, we’ve been there and still managed to have fun. Thankfully we have a lot of ideas and board games. And the favorite one – "Mafia" (a social role-playing game). We took opportunity of a moment of sunshine and went to Krupówki street the heart of Zakopane. Kids could feel it’s atmosphere, visit shops, buy some souvenirs and they really liked it! Since the weather remained good, after supper we spent evening on outer activities: relay races, tug-of-war and other similar disciplines. It was a lot of fun!

Day 3, Sunday

It was a truly trappy day and a very long one. We hiked throughout the city, we had the opportunity to see the ski jump "Wielka Krokiew". We continued hiking along the road "Under the Reglami", the real climbing began on the way to the cave "Hole". We rested in the cool and quiet cave and ... went on to the Strążyska Valley, which culminated in the beautiful waterfall "Siklawica" - we took pictures here. We were very, very tired but it was not the end of the day....

In the evening, we went to the Chocholow Thermal Baths. There is everything here: warm healing water from the depths of the earth, slides, various pools - there is something for everyone. Believe it - we 

slept really well that night.

Day 4, Monday

Another rainy day, another play day. Breakfast at 8:00 and then lots of time for fun. We played team-building games, learn the game "Talarek", "all who..." and the ever-present "Mafia".In the afternoon, taking advantage of the rainless moment, we go to the store (a must ;) and to the nearby school field. Here, inspired by the ongoing Olympics, we practice such sports as long jump, hurdles and short distance running. The boys began, of course, with a short game of soccer.

Day 5, Tuesday

Another mountain day. After breakfast, we set off on foot to Kuznice (a district in Zakopane). Here we met our mountain guide and together headed to the cable car station. It was awesome! Great views of precipices, dwarf pine, rocks, trees from above are better than any tik tok . We looked carefully through the windows of the cable car hoping to see mountain goats or marmots but none of them never appeared (probably too many tourists on trails scared them). After 20 minutes we are at the upper station of the cable car (1959 m. a.s.l.). Along the border with Slovakia we climbed to our first two-thousand-meter peak - "Beskid" (2012 m. a.s.l.). We were lucky to have a good weather up there. 

It was sunny and windy, and we managed to climb to the very top of Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m. a.s.l.). 

While descending we admired the view of High Tatras. Afterwards we had relax time.

Day 6, Wednesday

Right after breakfast we went to Koscieliska Valley, one of the most popular Tatras trails. The buses brought us to the entrance of the park where we met our Tatra guide – Mr. Wojtek. He led us through the beautiful and, most of the time, flat Valley taking breaks in interesting places on our way. The big rock, the cave, the little chapel, the glade, they’re all great opportunities to stop and talk (and rest). 

It was fascinating to hear stories not only about history of this place but also about nature, culture, old customs. Speaking about old customs, on our way, we visited Bacówka – the shepherd’s hut, where cheese oscypek of sheep’s milk is being produced according to an old, traditional recipe (only five such certificated places in Zakopane). Not only could we see the process of production (no photographing allowed!) but we also could buy and try the real oscypek cheese! Kids liked it very much! After about 8 km walk (around 5 miles), we reached our aim – Smreczynski Pond, then came down to Ornak Shelter where we could take a longer break. We took the way back as soon as we gathered, we had to make it on dinner. 

In the late afternoon we went by bus to Gubalówka Mountain, walked around, took photos (great views!), some bought souvenirs and took the funicular down. That’s not the end! In the evening we had campfire with sausages and bigos! Wow, what a day!

Day 7, Thursday

A bit rainy and cloudy day didn’t scare us off the morning activity – our walking trip (about 3,7 km) to Educational Centre of Tatra National Park and it’s Discovery Room – very interesting offer for kids and opportunity to play and explore interactive world of National Park. One could play the computer game to learn the maps or follow the animated guide to learn about fauna and flora of Tatras. Then, after an hour of fun, we moved to exhibition part and had a tour through the different topics: mountains, caves, animals, nature. Very impressive! In the afternoon we decided to check our new knowledge and took the quiz! Divided into four groups kids did the test and had very good results! Good job! 

Day 8, Friday

Our last day together. Packing and cleaning the rooms can be fun, especially when you find out that you left things behind your bed. Natalia’s help in finding things was invaluable! We packed all the 

luggage into the transporter car and went on a very last walk to Krupówki, promenade in the center of 

Zakopane. Last walk, last shopping and yet we’re on the train station again, exactly like a week ago. How quickly time passed! After five hours of journey train took us to Warsaw, where missed parents waited for their beloved kids. Hugs and kisses were endless.