In the second week of the summer vacation program, there were once again many exciting activities on offer: From exciting outdoor adventures, chess and pottery to taking part in a radio show, there was something for every interest.
In search of gold in the Hunsrück streams, 13 children set off on a very special adventure together with hiking guide Michael Brzoska. After a brief introduction to the formation of gold deposits on earth, the group hiked to the fishing hut, where pans, shovels and small jars were distributed for the treasure hunt. Equipped and motivated, the group continued on to a nearby stream, where Michael Brzoska explained how to filter gold from the stream bed and where they had the best chance of finding it. Despite the rain and wet feet, the atmosphere was great. Everyone was able to warm up at the campfire and fortify themselves with the provisions they had brought with them. Afterwards, a second discovery site was on the agenda, where hematite was found alongside gold. Some were lucky and discovered small grains of gold, others went home without a find, but with many new impressions. Despite the changeable weather, it was an exciting day full of discoveries.
Fifteen children took the train to Bad Kreuznach, where a visit to the radio station Antenne Bad Kreuznach / Antenne Idar-Oberstein was on the agenda. On site, the children were first given an exclusive tour of the radio studio, including the editorial office, recording rooms, technology and the various work areas of the employees. Things got particularly exciting around midday. The children were allowed to go live on air and were interviewed by morning show presenter Patrick Berger about the summer holiday program, their experiences and vacation plans. After a small snack, a special surprise awaited the group. The children were allowed to prepare their own episode of "Unerhört - die Jugendsendung mit Meinung", an Antenne format in which young people take the helm. In small teams, topics, moderations and interviews were developed. The children decided on a contribution about their hobbies, including the volunteer fire department, various sports clubs and the video game Minecraft. With great seriousness and creativity, they wrote their own scripts, chose moderation teams and conducted interviews. The results of their work can be heard on Antenne Idar-Oberstein (87.6) on July 23 and 30 between 5 and 6 p.m. and can be accessed online afterwards at antenne-kh.de.
At this year's summer holiday program, 19 children once again experienced an exciting day full of nature, fun and adventure at the outdoor survival day at the Monzingen nature camp. After fun games to get to know each other, the children learned four different types of knots - an important basis for building their own huts with ropes, tarpaulins and branches. A jointly cooked lunch, which was cooked over an open fire in the traditional style in a cauldron, provided for the children's physical well-being. In the afternoon, the children tried their hand at archery and making fires with natural and artificial aids. A real highlight for many of the young nature lovers.
The cooperation between the Idar-Oberstein Women's Shelter, the Idar-Oberstein Youth Welfare Office and Wendo trainer Alexandra Böning has been running for eight years. Together, they offer self-defense training for girls aged 8-10 as part of the vacation program.
In the course, the girls learn in a playful way how they can feel their boundaries, how a "No!" can be addressed clearly and unambiguously and how much strength they really have. In future, they may be even better able to defend themselves against pick-up lines and boundary violations at school, with family and friends or on the internet at an early stage and seek appropriate help. The trainer promises the participants: "You can test your strength in wild games and simply have fun with other girls! When we practice simple self-defense techniques together, you will feel your strength. Your courage and confidence in yourself will grow!"
In the second week of the vacations, ten creative children visited a special craft on the program. In Manfred and Heike Weigel's ceramics workshop, they were able to work with clay to their heart's content. Under the expert guidance of Manfred Weigel, the children learned about various tools, such as cutting wires, modeling aids and pottery knives. Weigel vividly explained the basic techniques of body-building ceramics: from shaping simple spheres into bowls using thumb pressure, to the beading technique for cups or flat bowls, to the slab technique for pictures and signs. There were no limits to creativity. The children created fantastic animals, houses, bowls and even a clock out of clay. Those who wanted to could color their artwork with clay paints. After the artistic part, everyone rounded off the day with a barbecue.