For years, many Bosnians and Herzegovinians have built lives, careers, and families far from their homeland, while their children grow up between two worlds, sometimes uncertain whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is also their homeland. The Lily Collective organization aims to remove this very uncertainty and connect them with Bosnia and Herzegovina today—children should know that it is perfectly fine to have more than one home and that this is their wealth. This year, the organization is launching its first summer camp in Sarajevo, designed exclusively for children of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora. During July, in several sessions, children aged three to fifteen will have the opportunity to spend a week in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina—in the mountains, by the rivers, and in the nature that belongs to them.
Multiple groups and diverse schedules for all ages What makes this camp unique is its flexibility—the program is divided into four age groups: the youngest participants aged three to six, children aged seven to ten, then eleven to thirteen, and a teenage program for children up to fifteen. Each group has a tailored five-day schedule that combines sports, culture, tradition, cuisine, and the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina into a single story that the child carries with them after the camp ends. Professional educators with experience working with multilingual audiences and animators take care of the children throughout their stay, with clearly organized meals, schedules, and transportation.
The Lily Collective organization emphasizes that their goal is not for children to memorize historical dates or landmarks. The goal is for them to connect with their roots—because Bosnia and Herzegovina is also their home. For parents who need a workspace during their stay in Sarajevo, the organizers have arranged access to Greenpark, the headquarters of the software company Symphony on Mount Trebević.
Visit the Lily Collective organization’s website and fill out the form for more details.