A summer adventure for a 14 year old in Germany?
January 22, 2024 7:22 AM Subscribe
My son has been taking German for several years in school here in the US and we would like to find an adventure for him this summer in Germany where he can put his language skills to use, and of course to have a wonderful experience.
What does it mean? Good question.
Our son has been in the Waldorf School tradition and is transitioning into public high school next year. He will not have access to German classes other than outside school and we thought it would be a great experience for him to visit Germany, but maybe not as a tourist? We are hoping to explore a camp or an adventure or some sort, or something that we have not been able to put in to words, an experience that he could have in Germany, with other teenagers?
Just starting our process and thought the hive mind could help out.
Thanks
What does it mean? Good question.
Our son has been in the Waldorf School tradition and is transitioning into public high school next year. He will not have access to German classes other than outside school and we thought it would be a great experience for him to visit Germany, but maybe not as a tourist? We are hoping to explore a camp or an adventure or some sort, or something that we have not been able to put in to words, an experience that he could have in Germany, with other teenagers?
Just starting our process and thought the hive mind could help out.
Thanks
Maybe there's something more specific he's interested in, but the Goethe Institut has camps. I don't have experience with their camps but I had a great experience taking a course for a month in Munich when I was 18.
posted by beyond_pink at 7:53 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by beyond_pink at 7:53 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
it would be so cool if you could find him a home stay program! being an exchange student and living with a family is a really incredible experience that i wish every kid could have.
looks like there are some summer programs on this list, and maybe doing a longer exchange for a semester or a year is something he would like to try in the future.
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:18 AM on January 22, 2024
looks like there are some summer programs on this list, and maybe doing a longer exchange for a semester or a year is something he would like to try in the future.
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:18 AM on January 22, 2024
There are lots of Waldorfschulen in Germany.
I would think some of them might offer Summer Camps.
Perhaps you and your son can contact one of the international Waldorf associations listed here
Or ask at his Waldorf school if they perhaps are part of an international association?
posted by 15L06 at 10:23 AM on January 22, 2024
I would think some of them might offer Summer Camps.
Perhaps you and your son can contact one of the international Waldorf associations listed here
Or ask at his Waldorf school if they perhaps are part of an international association?
posted by 15L06 at 10:23 AM on January 22, 2024
Many cities in Germany have volksmarch clubs...a hiking and walking club. He might enjoy that,eating locals, stopping at a gasthous for some schnitzel and such. The Germans are big hikers.
posted by Czjewel at 10:26 AM on January 22, 2024
posted by Czjewel at 10:26 AM on January 22, 2024
I'd investigate school exchange programs. I searched for "Schüleraustausch" (Schüler = school student, Austausch = exchange) and I found this for instance.
posted by jouke at 12:21 PM on January 22, 2024
posted by jouke at 12:21 PM on January 22, 2024
As a backup, what about the Concordia Language Villages summer camps in northern Minnesota (either as a camper or counselor)? As a kid I attended summer camp for French (age 9) and German, and they were awesome!
https://www.concordialanguagevillages.orgposted by wenestvedt at 1:19 PM on January 22, 2024
« Older What’s the tech behind Magic Walls? | urgent: uber drive to mexico city airport gone... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Maybe set some parameters beforehand, including, "There may be kinds of experiences that we haven't thought through that won't work for some unanticipated reason." This is to (try to) avoid having him fall in love with something that you aren't comfortable with him doing.
posted by amtho at 7:42 AM on January 22, 2024