Come along with the InvaArt project to enjoy the great outdoors at the Czech-German HeuHoj camp!
Summer is slowly drawing to a close, but there is still a unique chance to spend its final days meaningfully, in the fresh air and in good company. From 23 to 30 August 2026, the 12th edition of the traditional Czech-German HeuHoj camp will take place in the Eastern Ore Mountains.
This event offers a fantastic opportunity for students across all degree programmes to try their hand at practical nature conservation in the field and gain new interdisciplinary experience. The aim of this interactive camp is the cross-border management of valuable habitats, particularly mountain meadows with their unique biodiversity. The programme will include traditional mowing, hay raking, maintenance of stone walls and the removal of self-sown trees.
This year’s edition is also unique in that it is taking place as part of the Czech-German project “InvaArt – Invasive Species in the Border Region / Invasive Arten im Grenzgebiet”. Involvement in this project adds another important ecological dimension to the camp. Participants will not only help with the maintenance of traditional habitats, but their activities will also directly support efforts to map and limit the impact of invasive species, which pose a threat to the native wildlife in our border region.
However, the HeuHoj camp is not just about physical labour. It consists of days packed with nature, culture and informal education. An important part of the whole week is the cross-border cultural exchange between participants from the Czech Republic and Germany, joint exploratory trips around the area and discussions on current topics in landscape conservation.
Who is the camp aimed at? The camp is open to anyone (aged 18+) with an interest in nature and cross-border cooperation. You can leave any concerns about a language barrier at home – knowledge of German is not a prerequisite for taking part! Openness, a shared enthusiasm for the work and the presence of an interpreter will ensure that everyone understands one another without any problems.
Practical information at a glance: Dates: 23–30 August 2026
Location: Eastern Ore Mountains (on the border between Bohemia and Saxony)
Activities: Practical maintenance of mountain meadows, leisure activities, cultural exchange.
Are you interested in the chance to spend the end of August in the countryside, meet new people and do something good for the landscape in our region? For more information and to REGISTER, visit the official website www.heuhoj.de or contact the organisers directly by email at heuhoj@gmail.com.