The youngest explorers discovered the secrets of rocks and fossils at the Geopark

On 30 July 2026, the youngest participants in the “Summer with INTEURO” programme took part in their third trip to the Geopark in Kielce. The children discovered the palaeontological treasures of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, polished stones, identified fossils and then explored the natural environment of the Wietrznia Nature Reserve.

The third trip to the Geopark in Kielce became another special part of our integration summer. This time, the youngest participants in the “Summer with INTEURO” programme set off to discover the fascinating world of ancient history.

The programme was exceptionally varied and combined learning, practical experience and active exploration of nature. The children could see that the history of our planet is recorded not only in books, but also in the rocks, minerals and fossils found throughout the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.

The meeting encouraged curiosity, questions and independent discovery. The youngest participants eagerly joined each part of the programme, sharing their own observations and knowledge.

Millions of years of history recorded in rocks

A special presentation about palaeontological discoveries made in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship was prepared for the children. The young explorers learned how life on Earth had changed over millions of years and what secrets are hidden in the local rocks.

There were many genuine enthusiasts of history and the natural sciences in the group. The meeting quickly turned into a lively discussion, as the children asked the guide, Mr Grzegorz, numerous detailed questions about the conditions that prevailed on Earth in distant geological eras.

The participants were also very interested in organisms that lived in ancient seas and in the methods scientists use today to reconstruct the appearance and habitats of creatures that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Young scientists during practical workshops

After the theoretical part, it was time for practical activities. The participants could feel like real researchers as they worked independently with fragments of rock and learned about the methods used to process them.

The children learned how to polish stones correctly, observed their structure and tried to identify the fossilised remains of ancient molluscs hidden inside the rock. Each discovery brought a great deal of excitement and encouraged further exploration.

The practical form of the activities helped the children better understand the information presented during the meeting. At the same time, it developed patience, precision, fine motor skills and careful observation.

Discovering nature at the Wietrznia Nature Reserve

On the way back, another interesting place awaited the group — the Wietrznia Nature Reserve. A walk through the reserve provided an opportunity to discover the local vegetation, landscapes and geological treasures of Kielce.

The children learned about plants growing in the area, including species traditionally regarded as medicinal. They also examined rocks with great interest and searched for their own pieces of flint and other minerals.

Direct contact with nature helped connect the knowledge gained during the workshops with observations of the natural environment. The walk also provided an opportunity to relax together, talk and continue building relationships within the group.

An integration summer full of discoveries

Another day filled with learning, new experiences and children’s curiosity came to an end. We are gradually approaching the conclusion of the 2026 summer integration programme, during which the participants explored the nature, culture and history of the region together.

Such activities allow children not only to gain knowledge, but also to develop their interests, build self-confidence and form relationships with their peers. Shared trips also help them become more familiar with the place where they now live.

We would like to thank all the children for their remarkable curiosity, active participation and numerous questions. Thanks to their energy, the third trip to the Geopark became another unforgettable event in this year’s “Summer with INTEURO” programme.

Do you have any questions? Contact us

The activities are implemented by
the Integration Europe – East Association
under the project
“INTEURO – integration of foreigners in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship”.

The project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Migration, Borders and Security.

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