Where Is My Home? In Zubří!

As per tradition, four teams were formed again this year at the "big" camp for haemophilia patients, their siblings, and friends. They were divided by national colours plus green symbolising the linden blossom. The teams — Šikulky, Nejlepšíí, Mochomůrky, and Lipánci — gradually discovered every corner of the country. Based on their performance in stage games, they could colour in the map. In Moravia, they saved Uncle Martin's harvest from pests, and as a reward, he and Uncle Jura showed them how wine is made and treated them to non-alcoholic grape juice. During a visit to Prague, they had to battle bureaucracy and a grumpy bus driver.

In the Pardubice region, they tasted gingerbread, and through the northern part of Bohemia they were guided by "Rumonoš," a descendant of Rumcajs and Krakonoš. In the west, they also needed to engage their orienteering skills; the Olomouc region brought plenty of water and a boat ride; and finally, after being robbed in Ostrava, the brave miners managed to rescue their colleagues from a collapsed mine during a night game.

During the shortened ten-day stay, we managed to do a lot. On a trip to Žďár nad Sázavou, we got acquainted with Santini's work. The visit to the monastery on Zelená Hora was further enriched by a programme at the nearby castle, which serves as an interactive museum. As part of Wednesday in the Vysočina Highlands, a stage game was also a must, where teams had to decipher instructions for repairing a bus.

Despite the unfavourable weather, LHT21 was a great success. In the mornings, as usual, individual and group exercises, prophylaxis and self-infusion training, and art workshops took place — this time thematically focused on different regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. We also visited the nearby spa in Nové Město na Moravě, where we had access to a swimming pool, a relaxation pool with a wild river feature, and a whirlpool. What a ride!

In the end, there was also time for sports competitions, including a floorball tournament, and the hardiest even tried outdoor swimming, including paddleboarding. The entire programme culminated with the ceremonial presentation of commemorative medals, jerseys, and the playing of the national anthem. The camp game aimed to familiarise participants with the history of our country and awaken a love for the homeland.

Children and adults alike had great fun filming clips and then watching them, or during a pub quiz about the Czech Republic. At the closing party, there was a raffle, and surely a few tears were shed as well...

The LHT has a long tradition in our country and is a unique event on a European (and likely worldwide) scale. Although it is not certain that Zubří will remain the camp's home in coming years, it is important that this event continues. So hopefully, until next time — cheers!

Michael Bereň

Special thanks from the head leader go to Jana Bereňová, Linda Bystrická, Jirka Salajka, the company Ivema, and Adéla Horníková.

The Czech Hemophilia Society would like to thank everyone who participated in the realisation of the camp. Great thanks go to the leaders and medical staff who put their all into their work and selflessly prepare the programme for the children, as well as to our sponsors.

On my own behalf, I would like to recognise the accommodating and willing approach of head leader Michael Bereň, who took on the preparations for this year's haemophilia camp on his own initiative. Thank you, Michael, for a great deal of well and patiently done work.

Martin Bohůn - Chairman of the Czech Hemophilia Society

The complete collection of photographs from LHT 2021 can be found at: https://hemofilik.rajce.idnes.cz/