Organized by the US-based Czech artist Petra Gupta Valentová, a sports afternoon for kids could be an inspiration for other compatriot groups in America. The program, which resembled a typical Czech “survival game”, was prepared by the parents’ children. An invitation to join in was accepted also by the director of the Czech Center Miroslav Konvalina.
Among the disciplines favored by both Czech and American children were a race, single leg jumping, spoon ball, log throwing and log wheelbarrowing, hook and ring game, slack line and disc golf. The afternoon wouldn’t have been complete without trampoline jumping and pool diving.
On that particular Saturday afternoon, the converted farm in the hamlet of Accord in New York State, which is slowly being transformed into a residence for Czech and American artists by the Gupta husband and wife team, turned into huge sports grounds. “We do this mainly for the kids, to give them exercise and something to enjoy,” commented Petra Gupta Valentová on the program.
The compatriots from the states of New York and New Jersey now look forward to future events, such as a camping trip on the Memorial Day Weekend or winter skiing in the Catkills resorts. Yet another proof that (not only) Czech families do not need to be asked twice to join sports and other shared activities and, as we say back home, they are game for anything.
