A Great Summer Day Together

Summer holidays should be a time for families to relax and create lasting memories together. Yet for many, a day out is simply beyond their financial means. This is where the Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung’s "2,000 Families" initiative makes a difference. This initiative is part of the foundation’s “Youth in Germany” program, which creates opportunities for young people to try new things and develop their skills, regardless of their social background or living conditions.

During the summer months, more than 2,000 families are invited to enjoy a carefree day at the Wildpark Lüneburger Heide (Luneburg Heath Wildlife Park) in Northern Germany on behalf of Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung and partners. With an all-inclusive package covering park admission, meals, and transportation, parents and children can spend quality time together without worrying about the cost.

The Appelhoff School is located in the Steilshoop neighborhood of Hamburg. Many children there grow up in cramped living conditions, more than 80% come from immigrant families. Their families face significant financial hardship, which is why such field trips or recreational activities don’t take place at all.

Every year at the end of the school year in the summer, the Appelhoff School takes a field trip with the entire school. That means everyone participates, from the preschool classes through fourth grade. The 253 students are generally between 5 and 10 years old, and the entire teaching staff join them.

Shared experiences strengthen bonds and create positive, lasting memories. The Wildpark Lüneburger Heide is a safe space where children can move about more independently and follow plans appropriate for their age or grade level. This builds the students’ self-confidence.

A field trip to the wildlife park also offers hands-on learning: animals that were discussed in general studies at school, for example, come to life and become tangible. All children especially enjoyed the direct contact with the goats and donkeys and the chance to touch them.

After arriving, the class groups met at the many seating areas for breakfast together, and then the various tours began. Older students were allowed to set out in groups as arranged, and there was a designated meeting place for each class.

The younger children were accompanied by their teachers and took different routes to ensure that not too many children gathered at any one enclosure. The bird show and the group lunch were scheduled events for everyone.

The students also enjoyed spotting animals in the enclosures, reading the signs, and taking advantage of the many interactive learning opportunities.

The many play areas were another highlight, where the Appelhoff School wrapped up the day with cheerful, free play before boarding the buses again to drive back to Hamburg.