This year’s summer vacation program, organized by the Idar-Oberstein City Youth Welfare Office, came to a close with a varied final week of vacation. During that last week, the children and teens once again enjoyed a diverse program featuring creativity, sports, nature, adventure, and special experiences.
Things got creative with the two workshops led by artist Christina Boneva. In the “reverse glass painting” workshop, the children used paints and fine brushes to create mirror-image pictures, symbols, plant patterns, names, and numbers. In the “Nature Art with Spices and Crystals” workshop, the children created very special works of art using spices, crystals, shells, seeds, flowers, and other natural materials. The small groups fostered a calm and intimate atmosphere in which the children could give free rein to their creativity. There was also plenty of creative work going on in the “pottery studio.” Children used clay to create animals, fantasy figures, bowls, and many other unique works of art. The next day, the children got to paint their creations in bright colors. After drying and firing in the kiln, the finished artworks will become very personal mementos of their vacation.
Things got active at the SC Idar-Oberstein hockey camp. Under expert guidance, the children got a taste of the sport, learned how to handle a hockey stick, and became familiar with the most important rules of the game. Of course, there was also plenty of time for games and having fun together. The “Dance Meets Ribbons” workshop focused on music and movement. The children learned various dance moves and worked together to create a short choreography. They were also able to contribute their own ideas and movements.
“Sport shooting,” organized in cooperation with the Schützenverein 1858 Idar-Oberstein e.V., provided a completely different athletic challenge. Under expert guidance, participants were able to test their accuracy with air rifles, air pistols, and sport bows. Trying out the biathlon rifle offered a special change of pace.
Things got particularly adventurous once again with the activities led by nature and landscape guide Michael Brzoska. In “The Legacy of the Shadow Knights,” the children roamed the Hahnenbach Valley. Their path took them through the mysterious forest, through a cave guarded by a sleeping dragon, across the Hahnenbach, and up to Schmidtburg Castle. There, they solved the riddle of the Shadow Knights and were finally able to find a long-lost treasure.
In “The Whisper of the Forest Elves,” the children immersed themselves in an imaginative world deep in the forest. They built little houses out of moss, crafted magic wands from natural materials, and made fragrant elf perfumes from herbs. At the end, the participants were treated to bread on a stick and a little elf treasure.
The children also had the chance to demonstrate their skills in the great outdoors during the “Outdoor Survival Day at the Monzingen Nature Camp.” The program included knot-tying, building shelters, starting fires using natural and artificial materials, archery, and collecting and purifying drinking water. Adventure games also provided plenty of fun and physical activity.
A special event was held in cooperation with the Idar-Oberstein Women’s Shelter. During the workshop “Your Statement—Courageous and Strong in Everyday Life,” participants explored topics such as self-confidence, personal boundaries, emotions, and violence in a safe environment. Together, they discussed possible solutions and courses of action. At the end, everyone had the opportunity to creatively express their own thoughts and messages on canvases, thereby making a personal statement against violence.
The visit to the German Gem Museum as part of the “World of Gems” event was a very special way to wrap up the day. The children explored the museum on an exciting scavenger hunt. After enjoying a cool refreshment, each child got to make their own piece of jewelry. They played together and spent a fun-filled day in the world of gemstones.
This diverse final week of vacation marked the end of an eventful summer vacation program organized by the Idar-Oberstein City Youth Welfare Office. Throughout the entire vacation, children and teens were able to gain numerous new experiences, discover their own interests, get creative, try out different sports, explore nature, and, above all, enjoy a wonderful vacation together.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone involved—participants, contributors, speakers, clubs, organizations, and partners—who, through their dedication and diverse offerings, helped make the summer vacation program a success. Without their support and their willingness to share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm with the children, this diverse summer program would not have been possible. The Idar-Oberstein City Youth Welfare Office looks back on a thoroughly successful summer vacation program filled with many wonderful encounters, exciting experiences, and children’s beaming eyes.