During the first week of summer vacation, the youth center at the market was firmly in creative hands: Sandra Welsch was there as a guest with her “Creative Green Suitcase.” It was filled to the brim with colorful craft ideas and unique hands-on projects. Day after day, the JAM was transformed into a small workshop where kids hammered, glued, built, and experimented. Whether it was the popular decorated boats for the little stream in downtown Idar—which helped the kids cool off—colorful Minecraft paintings, or homemade monsters, children were hard at work everywhere with eagerness and enthusiasm. On the last day, the program featured exciting experiments with the elements of air, fire, and water.
In the guitar class taught by Andreas Nunn, four young music-loving children had the opportunity to learn their first notes on the instrument and build on their existing skills. With great patience, expertise, and a special knack for working with beginners, Nunn taught the basics of playing the guitar. After just a short time, the young musicians were able to play their first chords and perform simple songs together.
At the same time, the children searched for gold in the Hunsrück streams together with nature and landscape guide Michael Brzoska. After a short hike along adventure trails, the children were equipped with the necessary gear and set off with multitools and gold pans to the first stop at the Hahnenbach. There, the children eagerly searched for treasures both big and small. At the second stop, they were once again busy panning for gold and building structures. They dammed up the water with stones, found crayfish, and on the way back, spotted a small grass snake by the side of the trail. It was a very successful day with perfect weather, and the children were able to take home a treasure or two.
The city park in Nahbollenbach doesn’t go unused during the summer break either. As part of the summer vacation program, ten children spent an exciting day at the bike park. Under the guidance of Leo Brusius and Noah Knab, the participants first learned the most important rules for safe biking as well as how to handle their bikes properly. Afterward, the children were able to warm up on the smaller trail, improve their riding technique, and familiarize themselves with the bike park’s terrain. With their confidence growing, they later moved on to the big trail. Everyone had a lot of fun, mastered the challenges with flying colors, and by the end even dared to ride down the big slope.
Meanwhile, at Wildenburg, a group of ten children was introduced to the yoga path of “Ahimsa”—the philosophy of nonviolence and peaceful coexistence. Nicole Wolter gave them an unforgettable day, combining playful forest exploration with gentle yoga exercises. It was wonderful to watch the children consciously explore nature, find their center through guided breathing exercises, and healthily express their natural urge to move. At the “Hexentanzplatz” in the heart of the Schinderhannes Forest, the participants worked together to create a small work of art—a mandala—using natural found objects as a symbol of connection and friendship. Through the playful teaching of ahimsa, the children experienced firsthand just how important it is to treat animals, plants, and even themselves with love and respect.
The Idar Gymnastics Club’s high ropes course has been a popular summer activity for many years. After putting on their climbing harnesses and receiving a safety briefing, the children and teens set out on the course in two groups under the guidance of an experienced team of instructors. Some stations, such as the Mohawk Walk or the giant ladder, could only be conquered through teamwork. Others, such as the rope bridge and the climbing tree, however, were all about overcoming personal challenges. The participants thus enjoyed an exciting and challenging day at the ITV Family Sports Park.