Day packed with fun and excitement for foster kids
In the picturesque Brexbachtal valley near Bendorf-Sayn, eleven foster children aged 7 to 14 recently enjoyed a day of adventure. The event, organised by the Neuwied Youth Office's foster child service and adventure educator Karsten Schröder, offered a unique opportunity for these children to immerse themselves in nature and participate in outdoor activities.
The day was filled with a variety of activities, including hiking, climbing, abseiling, archery, and building a suspension bridge. One highlight was learning how to start a campfire without matches or a lighter, a method similar to that used by the Indians.
Karsten Schröder stated that the activities provided plenty of fun and boosted self-confidence and group cohesion. The children and teenagers had opportunities to gather courage, build trust, and test their limits during the activities.
The adventure day is an annual offer by the Youth Office for foster children in Neuwied. Stefan Keuper from the "Social Services" department of the Youth Office expressed gratitude to foster families and emphasized that such days strengthen the bond between children and professionals, as well as their friendships.
While there is no direct listing of annual nature adventure programs in Neuwied for foster children aged 7 to 14 in the information found, such programs generally provide experiential learning and empowerment through immersive outdoor activities. These activities benefit children’s social, emotional, and environmental development, as exemplified by European initiatives like EMPOCA[1].
If you are seeking programs specifically in Neuwied for that age group and foster children, it would be advisable to contact local youth welfare offices, community centers, or NGOs focused on foster care and outdoor education in that region, as such programs are often organized locally by social services or specialized organizations.
[1] Anthony Owosekun, a social entrepreneur and experiential educator, founded EMPOCA, the first outdoor program in Europe specifically designed to strengthen Black children and youth in their connection to nature. The program emphasizes sustainability, self-efficacy, and empowerment within an inclusive and justice-oriented pedagogical framework. It fosters skills such as resilience, critical thinking, and community spirit, helping participants feel safe, seen, and heard. This approach indicates that nature adventure programs can offer significant social, emotional, and educational benefits to children by promoting empowerment and environmental engagement.
The lifestyle of these foster children incorporates outdoor-living, as they were given a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, participating in activities like hiking, climbing, and building a suspension bridge. This home-and-garden environment, albeit temporary, provides experiential learning and empowerment through immersive outdoor activities, benefiting their social, emotional, and environmental development.
