Two foundations, one autumn camp campaign!

In Switzerland, around 100,000 children are directly affected by poverty. And there are just as many who live just above the poverty line - i.e. in a household with an economic burden. Single parents in particular do not have the financial means to go away with their children for a few days and leave everyday life behind.

This is where the project of the two foundations Elternsein, publisher of the Swiss parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi, and Kinderorf Pestalozzi comes in.

"Taking part in a leisure activity in a group promotes a sense of community, empathy and can break down prejudices against others," says Lukrecija Kocmanic, Head of Leisure at the Pestalozzi Children's Village.
"Taking part in a leisure activity in a group promotes a sense of community, empathy and can break down prejudices against others," says Lukrecija Kocmanic, Head of Leisure at the Pestalozzi Children's Village.

Following the great success of the two summer camps, the Elternsein Foundation and the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation are now organising another camp and financing an autumn camp in Trogen AR for 50 children and young people. They are pursuing several goals.

  • Das Angebot will einen Beitrag leisten für die öffentliche Gesundheit und gegen die Vereinsamung von Kindern und Jugendlichen.
  • Das Angebot will Eltern entlasten und ihnen die Möglichkeit bieten, Zeit ohne Kinder zu verbringen, aufzutanken, zu regenerieren.
     
  • Das Angebot will Eltern eine echte Alternative zur ausserschulischen Betreuung während der Sommerferienzeit bieten.

«This project is a matter close to my heart,» says Thomas Schlickenrieder, Managing Director of Stiftung Elternsein and initiator of the holiday camp. «It means a lot to me to be able to give children from disadvantaged families some unforgettable holidays. It is a small contribution to equal opportunities. » Lukrecija Kocmanic, Head of Recreation at the Pestalozzi Children's Village, adds: «Participating in a leisure activity in a group promotes a sense of community, empathy and, the more diverse such groups are, the more they can break down prejudices against others. These are important prerequisites for peaceful coexistence.»

The robot building course is very popular at every holiday camp. You can find out more about the summer camps that the Elternsein and Pestalozzi Children's Villages foundations organised together for the first time this year here.
The robot building course is very popular at every holiday camp. You can find out more about the summer camps that the Elternsein and Pestalozzi Children's Villages foundations organised together for the first time this year here.

The young guests are looked after by experienced teachers at the Pestalozzi Children's Village. The programme in the two camps is tailored to the respective age groups and makes children's hearts beat faster:

Aviation handicraft courses, dancing and climbing, yoga for children, a hike to Gäbris, an afternoon of games, archery, ping-pong, cookery and a percussion workshop. In addition to the activities, the children have plenty of time to socialise and do nothing.

The holiday camp project aims to make a contribution to supporting children and young people from economically disadvantaged families, to relieve the burden on working-poor parents and to alleviate the effects of poverty on their everyday lives.

At the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen, meeting and socialising in a wide variety of projects becomes child's play.
At the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen, meeting and socialising in a wide variety of projects becomes child's play.

Cultural legi

The Kulturlegi is a Swiss-wide offer that enables users to participate in social and cultural life. The card is available in thirteen Swiss cantons and is valid for one year. Around 3200 organisations and companies from the fields of culture, sport and education offer discounts of between 30 and 70 percent on their products and services. The Kulturlegi is currently used by more than 96,000 people.

Authorised persons can apply for the Kulturlegi via the website www.kulturlegi.ch or at a Kulturlegi office near them. Once the documents have been checked, the card will be sent by post. The website lists all the offers and explains how the discounts can be redeemed. Adults, children and young people who can prove that they live at or below the subsistence level are eligible. This includes

People who are supported by social welfare
People who receive supplementary benefits to AHV/IV
Persons who do not receive public assistance but whose income does not exceed the minimum subsistence level according to SKOS guidelines.

More info: www.kulturlegi.ch

Registration for holiday camp in autumn

More about the Pestalozzi Children's Village holiday camp

  • «Viel Neues erleben, statt auf der Couch abhängen»
    Zum ersten Mal organisierten die Stiftung Kinderdorf Pestalozzi und die Stiftung Elternsein, Herausgeberin der Schweizer ElternMagazins Fritz+Fränzi, Sommerlager für Kinder aus benachteiligten Familien. Lange war unklar, ob diese wegen Corona überhaupt stattfinden können. Um so grösser die Freude, als die ersten Kinder auf dem Gelände in Trogen AR ankamen.