"Experiencing a boost of strength in the past few days"
Krea-Kultur-Sommer 2025: A Successful Interdisciplinary Summer Program for Children and Young People
The Bergisch Gladbach Creative School e.V. in Refrath hosted the Krea-Kultur-Sommer 2025, a fully booked summer holiday cultural project for children and young people aged between 8 and 15 years. Over five days, the participants engaged in a variety of workshops, including dance, art, music, and singing, all aimed at exploring societal themes and cultural expressions.
André Eigenbrod, the project leader and moderator, opened the presentation. The event featured a range of experiments, such as creating a "fun" picture from one's name, portraits on canvases, innovative sculptures made from foam and wood, and more. In the Urban Dance workshop, led by Daniel Richartz, participants developed their own choreography, from flick-flack to breakdance. The Music Production workshop, led by Jasper "JazzP" Beckmann, saw participants creating their own songs, beats, and loops, with a focus on digital media and songwriting & producing. They've already created 5 fantastic modern songs this week.
The Vocal Coaching workshop, led by Elisabeth Waanders, focused on the song "Big yellow taxi", discussing the theme of environmental changes. Participants practiced in small groups and presented their 5 songs live at the end. The results of the workshops were displayed outdoors due to the good summer weather, with around 120 enthusiastic spectators attending the presentation.
The joint lunch during the presentation expanded communication among participants, with the 'village store' from Refrath serving delicious food daily. More than half of the participants have been attending the vacation project for years, demonstrating its enduring appeal. The presentation of results for the Krea-Kultur-Sommers 2025 series took place at the Bergisch Gladbach Creative School e.V. in Refrath.
The Krea-Kultur-Sommer project was funded by the Landesjugendamt of LVR Rhineland, underlining its role as a valued youth cultural educational initiative. The impact on participating children and young people is significant. They engage creatively and collaboratively, developing artistic skills across multiple disciplines. The program fosters social contact and community, reducing time spent on mobile phones and encouraging interpersonal interaction. The young participants gain recognition and confidence through public presentations of their work.
The joyful and intensive creative engagement builds a sense of accomplishment, as reflected in quotes like "Ich fühle mich irgendwie stark nach dieser Woche" ("I feel somehow strong after this week"). The project is a testament to the power of artistic expression and community building, providing a platform for children and young people to explore their talents and grow in confidence.
In the spirit of nurturing personal growth, the Krea-Kultur-Sommer 2025 also offered workshops focusing on home-and-garden and outdoor-living, encouraging participants to develop life skills and appreciate nature. These workshops included learning about sustainable gardening practices, DIY outdoor furniture, and educational nature walks.
Following this interdisciplinary summer program, education-and-self-development sessions were introduced, facilitating discussions on societal themes, cultural expressions, and personal lifestyle choices. These activities aimed to foster a deeper understanding and improved decision-making abilities among the participants.
Reflecting on the experiences gained throughout the Krea-Kultur-Sommer 2025, the participants could directly apply their newfound skills and insights to their lifestyles, promoting a more responsible and enriched approach to living as they continue to grow and evolve.
