A Strong Commitment to Carefree Vacations
Skating, crafts, art, swimming, playing, dancing, street art—the experiences available to children and teens during summer break in Jena are diverse, colorful, and varied. During his summer tour, Department Head Johannes Schleußner got a sense of the extensive offerings from Jena’s open children’s and youth programs. He visited the Freizeitladen in Winzerla, the Kubus in Lobeda, where Klex was hosting an event, the Jungen Gemeinde Stadtmitte, the adventure playground in Lobeda, Polaris in Jena Nord, and the skate park in Paradiespark, where Eastside organized an urban sports and street art camp.
“Once again, I am impressed by the tremendous dedication to open children’s and youth work in our city. For many children, programs like these are the only way to enjoy carefree summer days. This diversity of programs is a great asset to our urban community, and I thank everyone who makes it possible. Effective prevention work, such as that carried out here, pays off many times over in the long term. It is important to preserve it,”
emphasizes Department Head Schleußner. The content and further development of open children’s and youth work will also be continued as part of the Youth Support Plan, which will be brought before the city council for approval later this year. According to Schleußner, these facilities are often much more than just spaces for leisure activities; they also serve as the first point of contact for families in need of counseling.
“My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who is committed to ensuring that many children and young people in Jena can enjoy adventurous vacations,”
said Schleußner.
Winzerla Recreation Center
The leisure center is a hub for children from school age up to 14 years old. Together with Streetwork Winzerla and the Hugo Youth Center, it offers a varied vacation program: skateboarding workshops, swimming in Apolda, a creative week (including making flower pots from Tetra Paks, medieval crafts, and braiding bracelets), or simply letting off steam on the climbing wall in the gym. A vacation trip to the Baltic Sea is also on the agenda. The staffing situation can be challenging for the team at times. Student volunteers provide a great deal of support.
Klex
Klex in Lobeda has put together a program for children ages 9 to 15. Each week features both a group program with activities that change daily and a workshop where children and teens can delve deeply into a specific topic for an entire week. Demand for all these programs is very high. Several interns help out with the programs.
Young Community
The organization, led by Anne Neumann, is primarily aimed at teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 26. The program includes commemorative events, concerts, and a variety of creative activities, which are particularly popular. An educational trip to Bosnia and a camping trip to the Mecklenburg Lake District are also planned. During a discussion with the department head, suggestions were made for the youth development plan.
Adventure Playground
The grounds are so expansive that staff and children are equipped with walkie-talkies. A special feature is the neighborhood garden, where residents and children grow vegetables together. The children can take vegetables home, and the rest of the harvest is prepared together. There are plans to build a greenhouse to complement the intercultural garden.
Polaris
Polaris offers a summer camp in collaboration with Jena sports clubs—including the newly founded Jena Obstacle Course Association. The Polaris grounds are home to the only obstacle course facility in Thuringia.
The team is seeking financial support for extracurricular trips to memorial sites, as well as better options for cooling and providing shade on the grounds.
Eastside
The Eastside Youth Center is organizing a camp featuring a presentation at the skate park.
The team cited the expiring state program for the renovation of youth centers and recurring flooding during rain as challenges. They would like to see designated graffiti zones for creative expression.