Across Borders in the High Tatras
At the end of October 1998, students and teachers from twelve countries gathered in the heart of the High Tatras for an international educational meeting organized through iEARN.
Hosted in Tatranská Lomnica, the event united participants from Central and Eastern Europe, alongside guests from the United States and Kazakhstan. More than just a school trip, the meeting became a powerful example of international cooperation, cultural exchange, environmental education, and friendship.
The original account was written by Filip Vaňas from Český Krumlov shortly after the camp ended in November 1998.
Wednesday, October 28
A House Full of Languages
As students gradually arrived from across Europe, Asia, and America, the atmosphere quickly became international.
Participants stayed together in a mountain school residence, but room assignments came with one important rule: roommates should not share the same language whenever possible.
The reason was simple — English was the official language of the camp.
Students were encouraged to speak only English throughout the entire event, even when speaking with people from their own country. According to the humorous camp “rule,” speaking another language was forbidden “under threat of being shot.”
At first, students from different countries introduced themselves cautiously, but the barriers slowly disappeared as conversations, games, and shared experiences began to connect everyone together.
Thursday, October 29
Science, Mountains, and Ecology
Participants were divided into three international groups, each following a slightly different program.
One group visited the observatory of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Stará Lesná, where students observed the Sun using a specialized solar telescope.
Later, the group travelled to Štrbské pleso with plans to continue hiking toward Popradské pleso. Unfortunately, poor weather conditions forced organizers to cancel the hike.
The evening program shifted toward environmental discussions focused on the future and protection of TANAP.
Friday, October 30
Hiking Through the Mountains
Friday became the most physically demanding day of the camp.
Students climbed toward the cable-car station leading to Skalnaté pleso and continued hiking with a guide from TANAP into the surrounding forests.
The guide demonstrated how environmental measurements are collected in mountain ecosystems, including:
- tree mapping,
- plant surveys,
- and ecological monitoring methods.
Students also tried several research activities themselves, turning the forest into an open-air classroom.
The afternoon continued with a hiking expedition to the Studenovodské waterfalls before everyone returned to Tatranská Lomnica on foot.
That evening featured a presentation of the international environmental project “Youth CaN,” followed by one of the camp’s most memorable traditions: national presentations.
Each country introduced itself creatively through music, dance, singing, performances, and even rap.
Saturday, October 31
Snowball Fights and Halloween
The final full day in the Tatras began with a visit to the TANAP Museum, where students explored exhibitions about:
- Tatra wildlife,
- mountain history,
- traditional clothing,
- rescue equipment,
- and local culture.
In the afternoon, participants travelled by cable car toward Lomnický štít and Skalnaté pleso.
There, students discovered fresh snow — which immediately led to an enthusiastic international snowball fight.
According to Filip Vaňas, the battle was partly encouraged so the Slovak organizers could capture “interesting photographs,” although they themselves became major targets.
The group also visited another observatory and hydrometeorological station operated by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, where they learned about astronomy, weather observation, and the study of variable stars.
After running back downhill to Lomnica, the final evening began.
Pizza & Halloween Party
Saturday night became the legendary climax of the entire meeting.
Following the official closing ceremony, students transformed into an unforgettable collection of Halloween characters during the “Pizza & Halloween Party.”
Among the costumes were:
- Robin Hood,
- aliens,
- clowns,
- witches,
- ghosts,
- Men in Black,
- twins representing iEARN,
- and even something called “Bacteria Triplococcus.”
The combination of costumes, music, food, and international friendships created an atmosphere few participants would ever forget.
Sunday, November 1
Quiet Goodbyes
Departure came early Sunday morning.
Most participants were still asleep when some groups quietly left for home, making the goodbyes feel incomplete and emotional.
After several intense days together, students returned to their countries carrying new friendships, memories, and experiences from the mountains of Slovakia.
More Than a Conference
Looking back, Filip Vaňas described the meeting as exceptionally well organized, educational, and meaningful.
Beyond the official program, students also participated in:
- water-sample analysis,
- microbiological research,
- mountain biking,
- ecological fieldwork,
- and additional hiking expeditions.
Most importantly, the camp succeeded in its true goal:
bringing young people from different cultures together.
The article ended with sincere thanks to the organizers from Košice for their outstanding work and welcoming approach — a reflection of the spirit that defined the entire event.
In many ways, the camp captured the early idealism of the Internet era:
the belief that education, communication, and international friendship could help build a better future.