“We’re Going to Berlin”: Class 6a Takes First Place in Nationwide Class Competition

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Right in the middle of the Christmas break, we received some fantastic news: René Schulenberg’s Class 6a won first place in the “Class Competition” category of “Math in Advent” among all 6th-grade classes! The “Schulenbergies” achieved the best results in their grade level across all federal states in the digital math Advent challenge.

Principal Björn Gemmer was among the very first to offer his congratulations and gushed, “That’s fantastic!”

This victory is truly fantastic for the sixth graders, as it also means that the entire class has been invited to the awards ceremony on January 26 in Berlin. A major math event will take place at the Max Kade Auditorium at Freie Universität Berlin, featuring an awards ceremony for all winners, music, games, and entertainment. There will be plenty to discover at a math fair. A total of 1,000 people are expected to attend.

“Mathe im Advent” is a digital Advent calendar and math competition for students in grades 4 through 9, organized by the nonprofit Mathe im Leben GmbH.

(A report on the trip will follow!)

The owners of the Gschößwandhaus returned for a return visit after 40 years

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After 40 stays by Steinmühle ski course groups at the Gschößwandhaus high above Mayrhofen in the Zillertal, the innkeepers Christa and Gerhard Mitterer visited Marburg for the first time in mid-November. Since 1984, they had hosted generations of Steinmühle students at their inn and taken excellent care of them, and over the years, a warm friendship had developed with the accompanying instructors of the ski team. Christa Mitterer had “won” a night watchman’s guided tour of the city led by her former colleague Willi Stehling years ago and was now redeeming it. Of course, a visit to the Steinmühle was also on the guests’ itinerary. During the tour of the grounds, they were very impressed by the vastness of the site and the many buildings. “It looks like a school campus here. That’s not how I had imagined it,” said Christa Mitterer. A peek into the kitchen was a must, and Gerhard Mitterer chatted with assistant kitchen manager Florian Romang about what the children and teens particularly enjoy eating and how they manage to serve 500 to 600 meals a day. In addition to the school groups, the Gschößwandhaus also serves day visitors, who enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains while they eat. A brief reception hosted by Principal Björn Gemmer, along with greetings from several teachers who had previously visited the Gschößwandhaus, rounded out the visit. (Gisela Opper)

 

Group photo: Back row, from left to right: Willi Stehling, Björn Gemmer, Theo Nauheimer. Front row, from left to right: Gerhard and Christa Mitterer, Gisela Opper

 

Stay No. 40: When I signed the guestbook at the Gschößwandhaus in February 2023, this milestone was fittingly highlighted.

 

Kicking Off the New School Year: Class Trips 2023

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Things were quiet on campus for six weeks while the boarding school students enjoyed their well-deserved summer vacation. After arrival Sunday, the houses came back to life. The rooms were lovingly decorated, and new and familiar faces were warmly welcomed. And after the first week of school, the first joint activity for the residential groups was already on the schedule: the annual house trips.

 

The Mill in Fantasialand

The students from the Mühle went to a guesthouse in Leverkusen. After a delicious dinner, a group sat outside in the sun to sing together and get in the mood for the next day. Saturday’s schedule was packed with activities. Early the next morning, the group set off for Fantasialand, where they spent the rest of the day. The group was particularly taken with a roller coaster that had a quick-start feature. As soon as they got off the ride, they immediately got back in line for another go. To protect themselves from the sun, they quickly turned the park maps into hats.

 

The Eco-Friendly Cabin at the Glamping Site

The Biohaus made itself at home for the weekend retreat in Groß-Eichen. In large tents, which were also equipped with a kitchen, the group kicked off their time together with a delicious barbecue, for which the sunny terraces were the perfect setting.

Just like at the mill, a trip to an amusement park was on the agenda for the Biohaus on Saturday. The group headed out together to the Steinau an der Straße Adventure Park. In addition to the petting zoo, the park offered many small rides. The bumper cars and the summer toboggan run were especially popular. With the warm weather, ice cream was of course a must before heading back to the campground in the evening for a second barbecue.

 

Nature and Culture with the Bremerhaus

The residential group from the Bremerhaus headed a little further afield to Durbach in the Black Forest. Surrounded by sprawling vineyards, the group was able to relax and unwind in peace and quiet at the vacation home they had booked, which featured shared rooms.

Saturday was spent sightseeing and shopping in Strasbourg, about 40 km away. After taking a walk together, the group split up. Some of the young people took the opportunity to wander around, while others preferred to see the city from the water on a boat tour.

For the new residence director, Sandrine Fischer—who was experiencing a residence trip for the first time—the highlight, however, was a short, optional hiking tour on Sunday morning. The teens were also thrilled by the panoramic views that unfolded before them across the vast landscape. A perfect balance of culture and nature!

 

Water Activities at the Main Store

The kids from the main campus made the most of the last of the summer weather. After the group arrived at the campground near Kalkar, they headed straight to the swimming lake to cool off. “It was so awesome,” said student Mika as he recounted the school trip. In the evening, they had a barbecue before the group headed across the Dutch border the next day to tackle the swirling currents of Center Parcs’ fastest whitewater ride. The underwater world of a sunken city surrounded by tropical fish also sparked excitement. Afterward, they satisfied their hunger at a French fry restaurant. That evening, the real water lovers jumped right back into the campground’s swimming lake. But the secret highlight of the trip was a parrot the group got to meet at the campground. 😉

 

Relaxation and Action in Bad Sachsa

The Westfalenhaus set off for a self-catering house in Bad Sachsa, where the residential group had already stayed two years ago. Once everyone had found a place to sleep, they got right to work preparing dinner. Thanks to the summer-like weather, nothing stood in the way of a long evening of barbecuing. They played games and chatted late into the night.

The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, we headed straight to a Clip’n Climb gym, where everyone really let loose. The group supported one another as they tested their limits and overcame challenges. One of the students even made it onto the center’s record board in speed climbing and took second place in his age group.

In the evening, we went on an outing to the Sonnenblick observation deck, where we were able to enjoy the sunset together.

 

At Holidaypark with the Hessenhaus

For the Hessenhaus, too, the group trip included a visit to an amusement park. First, however, the residential group set up camp for the weekend at a campground near Speyer. The young people took on the challenge of lighting the fire for the barbecue themselves and ultimately received active support from a group of firefighters. The group spent the rest of the evening getting to know one another and playing games.

For many of the teenagers, the freefall tower at Holidaypark was the highlight of the weekend. They also tried out the various rides in small groups.

Before the Hessenhaus group set off back to Marburg on Sunday, they once again demonstrated their teamwork skills. They used handcarts to transport their luggage back to the cars, and then enjoyed a few hours of sunshine by a lake before heading home. Of course, a few water acrobatics exercises were a must.

 

Starting Sunday afternoon, cars slowly began rolling back onto the boarding school grounds. Everyone enthusiastically shared their many experiences from the past few days and exchanged stories. The final of the Basketball World Cup was playing in the tea room, and the sense of community continued on the Lahn grounds as well. With such a great start to the new school year, we’re looking forward all the more to many more experiences to come.

Steinmühlen Boarding School’s 2023 End-of-Year Camp in Wallenstein

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School stress is over, and we’re quickly heading toward summer vacation! It’s the perfect time for the boarding school’s end-of-year camp. This year, we headed back to Wallenstein. Located in the beautiful Burgwald forest, this nature campground—spanning 160,000 square meters around the Wallenstein castle ruins—offers plenty of space for amazing experiences.

There, the students and the boarding school’s teaching staff spent a weekend together to really unwind and kick off the vacation mood. In addition to countless rounds of games, the natural swimming area at the rustic campground was a major highlight. The boarding school’s residential groups took turns preparing their own meals. When the weather was nice, the students burned off energy with sports activities. After a hearty barbecue buffet, the evening wound down around the campfire with guitar music and good conversation.

A successful conclusion to an exciting 2022–2023 school year at boarding school.

Bring on the vacation!

 

Adventure-Filled Trips—Across Germany and Beyond

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“Just like every year,” was the sentiment in May, when the experiential education trips were on the horizon. The boarding school students set off together with their teachers on a journey across Germany and even beyond the country’s borders. There really was something for everyone! In addition to a canoe trip through the beautiful Altmühl Valley, the itinerary included a hike through the Drachenschlucht gorge near Eisenach, a visit to the Klimahaus near Bremerhaven, and a camping trip at Lake Eder.

 

This year, there was a special place to stay in the scenic Odenwald, where a small group settled in comfortably at the Heuhotel am Lind’brunnen. Janna, one of the students, enthusiastically flung herself right into the freshly piled hay. “If we could sleep like this at boarding school, I’d do it every night,” she said with a laugh as she shook the hay out of her hair.

In addition to taking a break from everyday life, the weekend was also filled with action. We walked or drove to nearby Maubach Lake, where a few brave souls even ventured into the cool water. Next up was a trip to the climbing forest, which was just one of the weekend’s highlights. Well-secured, the students enthusiastically climbed across narrow beams or enjoyed rides on the zip lines. Together, they overcame challenges both big and small—and even a bit of a fear of heights. Of course, they also paid a visit to the summer toboggan run right next door. Despite the rain, the students didn’t let it spoil their fun and waved at the camera with big smiles. “It felt really good to just leave my phone behind for once,” noted student Saphira.

Before leaving the next morning, we couldn’t miss out on a fun cleanup party and one last game of hide-and-seek, of course. On the way back, we finally made a stop at the Felsenmeer. After the short hike, the ice cream tasted even better!

For those who wanted to burn off some energy, the trip to the Altmühltal was just the thing. From a cozy campground, they set out on the water in canoes, two to a canoe. After a few initial difficulties steering with the paddles, the students quickly got the hang of it. Still, one or two situations drew amused looks when they were recounted back at the boarding school. After a strenuous but very successful trip downstream, the group drove back to the campground, where—thanks to the good weather—they were able to round out the evening with a cozy campfire, delicious food from the grill, and good conversation. “The group really came together,” Marlon, who accompanied the students along with his colleague, later said enthusiastically.

The Steinmühle was also on the road in northern Germany. On the Wurster North Sea coast, the students were able to enjoy the sunshine right by the sea. In addition to walks on the beach, the group took a trip to the Klimahaus Bremerhaven, where the students embarked on an exciting journey around the world through Earth’s climate zones. In the interactive exhibition, they were able to experience the effects of climate change firsthand in a truly impressive way.

Another group of students headed toward Eisenach. In the Thuringian Forest, the itinerary included a hike through the impressive Dragon Gorge, which is sure to set nature lovers’ hearts racing. Wide at first, the moss-covered rock walls gradually narrow into a gorge that’s sometimes only shoulder-width wide. The group also visited the nearby Wartburg, which is likely one of Germany’s most famous castles. On the way back, they made a stop in Kassel to admire the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe.

 

In addition to new destinations, this year’s trip once again offered the opportunity to take part in the now-almost-traditional camping trip to Lake Eder, where the focus was entirely on unwinding. Without cell phone reception or other everyday conveniences like running water and electricity, the students were able to consciously take some time for themselves.

This time, a special educational trip took the students to neighboring Poland, where the group took part in a two-day guided study tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and also visited the city of Krakow.

One student described his experience on Instagram as follows: “Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the history of the Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. My feelings were very mixed—on the one hand, grief for the victims, and on the other, anger toward all those who still support this today.”

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the memorial for the moving and empathetic tour!

 

Off to the Zillertal: A Ski Trip to the Steinmühle

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Just like last year, Steinmühle organized a ski trip. A total of sixteen students, accompanied by two teachers from the boarding school, set off for the beautiful Zillertal in Austria to spend a few exciting days on the slopes.

The Hochzillertal and Hochfügen ski resorts, which have been connected for more than ten years, offer world-class skiing at the entrance to the Zillertal. From the main entrance in Kaltenbach—where our ski trip participants were also staying—the lifts and runs extend up to nearly 2,400 meters, ensuring reliable snow conditions well into April. Skiing here therefore offers the perfect vacation experience for every taste. The students experienced this firsthand when they ventured onto the snow-covered slopes.

The Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski resort was just a few minutes away by ski bus. Whether they were seasoned skiers or eager beginners, the wide variety of runs meant that all participants could have fun at their own skill level. Those with absolutely no prior experience were able to learn the basics of skiing with the help of boarding school instructor Patric Hahn and gradually improve from there. Others ventured straight onto the difficult slopes and showed off their skills.

This time, the weather offered a colorful mix of sun, clouds, and wind. But even when fog limited visibility, the skiers didn’t let that dampen their spirits, of course. Instead, Patric said, “Bad weather makes for good skiers. ;-)”

The students were so motivated, however, that the group set off for the slopes at seven in the morning—at the students’ request. To offer even more variety, this time they also had the chance to try snowboarding.Various smaller challenges that the students set for themselves also sparked a lot of enthusiasm.

If you go skiing, you’ve got to eat well, too. We cooked for ourselves in the mornings and evenings. In addition to pasta Bolognese, the menu also included classic pizza, among other things. After washing the dishes together, the students took advantage of the accommodations’ amenities for cozy game nights. The exhausting days quickly took their toll, though, leaving most of them so worn out that many went to bed early to be ready for the next morning. Despite all the physical exertion that a day on the slopes entails, there was never a shortage of fun. A particularly amusing situation arose when some students rolled through the snow on their skis.

“We’ll definitely be back next year!”

As the students made their way home, they also expressed a desire to go skiing twice a year. With big smiles on their faces, they arrived at the boarding school late in the evening and excitedly recounted their experiences from the past few days. One thing is certain: a ski trip will once again be on the Steinmühlen calendar in 2024 so that we can make the most of the upcoming winter season. We’re already looking forward to it!

 

Our Trip to Schuby: Petting Starfish and Jogging by the Sea

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After about an 8-hour drive, the 6th-grade class finally arrived in Schubystrand. Very cozy cabins were waiting for us at the camp. In the evening, we were treated to a delicious meal. We often walked to Damp, a small town with a harbor and an ice cream shop right by the sea—it was very beautiful.

We went on three big field trips. The first field trip was to Multimar (a marine museum) in Tönning. There were two workshops there: a research lab and a whale house. We really enjoyed the research lab; there, we petted starfish and fed and observed barnacles under a microscope. At the end, there was a little scavenger hunt. We didn’t enjoy the whale house quite as much because we had to give a presentation on whales.

Our second field trip took us to a swimming pool. It was really cool at the pool! There were some totally awesome slides: a tube slide that was a lot of fun even without a tube. Half of the 6th-grade class slid down the tube slide together—without tubes, of course. There was also a steep “Speed-Hot Slide,” but you were only allowed to go down it alone because it was so steep.

 

Workshops in the Viking Village

On our last field trip, we went to Haithabu, which is an old Viking village and Viking museum. There were various workshops to choose from. The activities included archery, Viking games, and runes. We really loved that the workshop leader showed us the replica Viking huts and told us a lot about Viking life inside them. We were fascinated!

Several times a week, we had the chance to go to the beach and swim in the ocean, fly kites, or collect seashells. It was absolutely wonderful when we went jogging with Mr. Bepperling in the morning as the sun was just rising over the ocean—that was an amazing experience!

One morning, we went on a hike to the cliffs. At the cliffs, we found many beautiful stones and identified them right there using the books we’d brought along—including a sea urchin fossil, a zebra stone, several chicken gods, and even more beautiful stones and shells.

All in all, we’d say that the class trip was really wonderful and full of exciting experiences for all of us!

By Mira, Lotta, and Ella (6a)

Randa Volume 10: Boarding School Delegation Conquers Swiss Peaks Once Again

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In June, nearly 50 students and teachers took advantage of the holidays and, as is tradition, traveled to the beautiful Valais region. From the Augustinushütte in Randa, the hiking group set out on their treks into the high-alpine regions.

Group start across the suspension bridge on Europaweg

As they do every year, everyone set out together from the cabin. Their first destination was the cross above Randa, which has become a second home for many of the long-time participants.

Anyone who wanted more after that could walk across the Charles Kuonen suspension bridge, which spans nearly 500 meters at a height of 85 meters. “I’m afraid of heights, but I can do this!” student Jan muttered before crossing. Just like last year, Jan managed to overcome his fear thanks to the group’s calm and encouragement, and successfully completed the crossing.

For those who still hadn’t had enough, it was possible to extend their hike on the very first day to a total of 900 meters of elevation gain, hiking directly to the Europahütte at 2,265 meters and returning to the hut via the Europaweg.

“We’ll do everything together!”

The entire trip was centered on a strong sense of community. Every day, the students were offered three different hikes: manageable hikes for beginners, and more challenging hikes for intermediate and experienced hikers, led by the experienced instructors from the Steinmühle boarding school. The goal was not to complete the hike in the fastest time, but rather for everyone to reach their set destination together as a group.

Educator Nils Schwandt, who has been traveling to the Valais for about 30 years himself and organizes the trip anew every year, never fails to express his enthusiasm: “Randa is simply an incredibly beautiful spot. And I’m happy when we can pass on this fascination with nature and hiking to the young students.”

Meals were prepared and eaten together as well. In the rustic parlor, with its old wooden floorboards, tables, and benches, everyone refueled before and after the hikes. A special highlight: the evening dishwashing party. Washing dishes with joy—a unique experience that you’ll probably only find in this form in Randa.

The joy of reaching the summit and cooling off in the lake: Valais has it all for the people of Steinmühle

Top athletic performances, fantastic views, and relaxing together: Everything was possible for the students during the Swiss hiking week. Whether it was the 1,100-meter ascent to the summit of the Wannihorn or the view of the Matterhorn from over 3,000 meters above sea level, whether it was letting off steam at Lake Schalisee after the climb over the Rötiboden, or relaxing together by the cool waters at Jungen. The tunnel tour was a hit once again, with the hike along the water pipes and the visit to the Gletschertor. Slipped into the day off

Athletes know it: You’ve got to take a day off. The tour group spent theirs at the Briggerbad thermal springs. Those who still had enough energy let loose on the slide: Who can slide the fastest? Who can swing the highest? But anyone who wanted to could lean back and relax deeply in the grotto with a salt scrub and a sauna. “I just lay there all day,” reported student Viviana that evening, visibly refreshed. “That felt so good. Now I’ll be able to go hiking again tomorrow, fully recharged!” “Let’s do it again next year!”

That was probably the phrase the six educators heard most often that week. After five days of hiking, the group returned to the Steinmühle grounds. Although they were visibly exhausted from the hikes, their enthusiasm and the memories of their time together far outweighed the physical exertion. Randa 2023—hopefully we’ll see you again!

 

 

Experiential Education May Trips 2022 — Finally on the Road Across Germany Again

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A regular feature of life and shared experiences at Steinmühle Boarding School took place in May: All students were spread out across seven differently structured experiential education trips throughout Germany.

Community, sports, and new experiences were at the heart of the trips. The students were able to burn off some energy during the canoe trip on the Diemel, at the climbing park, on a bike tour around the Vogelsberg, or while hiking in the Allgäu, while the groups at Lake Edersee, Nieder Moser See, or Hennesee focused more on exploring nature and sharing communal experiences while camping in the great outdoors.

Sleeping in tipis and petting raccoons at Hennesee

The teepees were already set up, so the group was able to start a cozy barbecue right away that evening after arriving. The basketball-loving participants on this trip rounded out the evening with a game against a school class from Bielefeld. Since basketball is currently one of the most popular sports at Steinmühle, it was no surprise that the boys and girls won the game.

Since it still got quite chilly at night at Hennesee, the students gathered wood on their own to heat the teepees from the inside.

On Saturday, the group traveled to Bilstein to visit a stalactite cave. These millennia-old natural formations never fail to impress, but the students found true joy in the adjacent nature park: there, they had the chance to hold hands with raccoons. Feeding the deer and getting up close with the animals was especially exciting for them.

“The biggest highlight of the weekend was definitely the campfire gatherings every evening,” says educator Ben Zriki happily. “The conversations around the campfire definitely gave the children and us educators the chance to get to know each other in a different way than we do during the daily routine at boarding school.” As an intercultural highlight, student Alex entertained the group for an hour around the campfire as he sang along at the top of his lungs to songs from his home country.

Reaching New Heights in the Tree Climbing Adventure Park

Group camping under the trees right on the shores of the crystal-clear Heider Bergsee near Brühl: Here, another tour group was able to enjoy nature up close.

Right at the start of their stay, the small group worked together to overcome one of their biggest challenges: setting up tents. Most of the students were new to camping, so they explored the different ways to set up their tents together so that they could play Werewolf in the evening, relaxing comfortably around the campfire while roasting marshmallows.

The highlight of the field trip was the visit to the climbing park: The mission here was to overcome their fear of heights and climb trees up to 13 meters high. The students cheered each other on and encouraged one another. “It was wonderful to see how, thanks to their shared motivation, every student was able to successfully complete the climbing course,” reports teacher Philipp Dönges with satisfaction.

Cycling Toward Vogelsberg

Early Friday afternoon, we set off by bike along the Lahn Valley Bike Trail toward Vogelsberg. After the first 30 kilometers, upon arriving in Gießen, they continued their journey by train. They used the train ride to rest and recharge before the group cycled another 30 kilometers along the beautiful Vulkanradweg through the low mountain range landscape of Vogelsberg and Wetterau. Riding toward the sunset, they headed to Nieder Mooser See, where another group from the Steinmühle boarding school—who had already set up their tents after cycling nearly 60 kilometers—welcomed them.On Saturday, the cycling group left their bikes behind and hiked together up to the Hoherodskopf. On Sunday morning, everyone was back on their bikes, heading toward the boarding school grounds. With perfect cycling weather, they were able to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of the Vogelsberg and the Lahn Valley once again.

 

Summer tobogganing at Lake Nieder Moser

Those who didn’t want to bike but still wanted to enjoy their visit to the Hoherodskopf traveled by car. This group set up the tents for the biking group in advance and welcomed them to the barbecue buffet. The night turned out to be surprisingly cold here at Nieder Moser Lake as well, which is why some students slipped into the restrooms during the night to warm up.

On Saturday, after everyone had enjoyed some hearty and especially delicious rolls, we took a ride on the summer toboggan run and went for a long walk through the beautiful Vogelsberg countryside, taking in the impressively sweeping views of the surrounding area.

Those who had warmed up again then let off some steam by swimming in the lake or stand-up paddling.

Lake Eder: Camping at a Hidden Gem in Northern Hesse

In the idyllic setting of this life of simplicity, the camping group could easily forget the comforts of everyday life. Thus, the absence of showers, electricity, running water, and cell phone reception was a completely new and fundamental experience for the entire group. A digital detox, water rations, and “modified” personal hygiene gave the participants a new perspective on the luxuries of everyday life that are otherwise taken for granted. “It’s always amazingly wonderful to see just how happy the students can be even without media,” said educator Nils Schwandt after the trip.

In a climate that was almost Mediterranean, the young people were able to be kids again and let their minds wander while playing tag. Numerous encounters with wild animals, both small and large—from spiders to snails and snakes—did nothing to dampen the group’s spirits. Culinary delights also helped take their minds off their everyday worries.

Canoe Trip on the Diemel

The canoeing group set out from the Hofgut in Stammen on the Diemel River and paddled all the way to Bad Karlshafen, where the Diemel flows into the Weser. After six hours of paddling on the first day, quite a few of the novice canoeists in the group took full advantage of the river’s width and thoroughly explored the bushes along the banks. During the lunch break, the young canoeists received further instructions on how to paddle successfully.

On the second day on the water, the canoeing group was confronted with wild rapids. “Only one canoe was briefly turned into a submarine,” educator Philipp Rumpel reported with a laugh. However, the group worked together to bring the boat safely to shore and helped bail out the water.

Since our arms were getting tired by the end of the weekend, we rewarded ourselves for the successful trip and the thorough cleaning of the boats with a big ice cream on the way back.

Hiking Around Neuschwanstein Castle

The last group of travelers had planned a hiking trip in the Allgäu. Nine students wanted to take on the physical challenge of the Allgäu Alps. “I’m curious to see if I can do it, but I’m also motivated!” said student Emilia upon arrival, gazing at the mountain scenery.

On the first day, the enthusiastic students hiked from their lodging across the Salober Alm—with a view of Lake Weißensee—all the way to Füssen. There, they took a break at the impressive Lech Falls before exploring Füssen’s old town. Sticking to the shore of the Weißensee on the way back, the hiking group arrived back at their vacation homes exhausted but happy after a 20-kilometer hike.

On Sunday, the hikers woke up to bright sunshine. The starting point for the day’s hike was right at Neuschwanstein Castle. But the tour of the castle wasn’t scheduled until the following day. Today began with a steep climb, but it also offered a breathtaking view of Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding lakes. “Unbelievable—I never would have thought at the start that I could do it, but then suddenly you’re standing at the top and can be so proud of yourself!” said student Emilia happily.

At the Tegelbergkopf, the hiking group took another break to refuel before climbing together to the Ahornspitze at 1,784 meters. “It’s just so beautiful here—this view, this silence, and this nature!” exclaimed student Friederike enthusiastically.

Returning past the castle with one last beautiful evening view, the hiking group reached the vacation homes exhausted but happy after climbing 1,100 meters in elevation. Teacher Francine Olschewski cooked a meal as a reward for the athletic and persevering group. After the guided tour of the opulent Neuschwanstein Castle, the hikers set off on their journey home on Monday afternoon as the last group from the Steinmühle boarding school—exhausted but also relaxed.

Adventure Vacation in Northern Germany: Welthaus Took Advantage of the Easter Break for Exploration Tours

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“These vacation were truly amazing!” The Welthaus team spent two weeks with the international students on Germany’s coast during the Easter break. The varied program offered the group cultural highlights as well as sports activities for everyone. “Not only were we lucky with the weather, but all the students participated in the activities with such enthusiasm that it really felt like two weeks of pure vacation,” reports Philipp Rumpel, director of the Welthaus, happily.

Cultural Highlights Along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal

The Welthaus spent its first week at a rural school camp on the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. The two accompanying teachers, Philipp Rumpel and Lena Schneider, had put together a varied program for their students: city tours in Hamburg and Schwerin, and feeding animals at the Uhlenkolk Wildlife Park. A special highlight of the first week of vacation was the handcar tour, during which the group propelled themselves along the tracks using a handcar. “Safety First” was the motto at railroad crossings, and Feelija kept the group safe along the tracks.

The international students got a taste of German culture while playing mini-golf. Even though they’d never held a mini-golf club before, they had a great time. “There’s a mini-golf course in Marburg, too—maybe we’ll go there more often now!” Bob laughs after their successful round.

The pure Baltic Sea experience: endless beaches and the sea

The Welthaus spent the second week of vacation in a perfect location on Schönberg Beach. Of course, the group took advantage of its proximity to Kiel for an extended visit to the city. The rest of the week was spent being active: go-karting, long walks on the beach, bowling together, and windsurfing were all on the weekly schedule.

The students got to try their hand at surfing in the waves of the Baltic Sea during an introductory surfing course. “Wow, that was really exciting. I’d love to do that again,” said student Lydia enthusiastically.

A good community doesn’t need the Internet

But alongside all these activities, there was also time for quiet moments: Cooking hot pot together with the Welthaus group has now become a ritual in its own right. In addition, the students were able to quietly pursue their artistic side through a joint “paint-by-numbers” project, which has become a regular Easter break activity.

“And the best part was actually that we didn’t have Wi-Fi during the first week of vacation—and that it didn’t even bother the students because we were having such a great time together,” says educator Lena Schneider happily.

 

 
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Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

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