High rope climbing in the Miltenberg district: Children overcome their fear of heights!

High rope climbing in the Miltenberg district: Children overcome their fear of heights!

On August 24, 2025, a remarkable event took place in the Miltenberg district that revolved around the topic of high rope climbing. The deputy AWO district chairwoman Susan Bryant insisted on taking an active part in a rope crossing at a height of seven meters. This opportunity was an impressive challenge not only for them, but also for many children and young people, including many refugees. And the young participants proved to be real climbing aces. Many of them had fewer problems crossing the rope than one might expect, which speaks for their self-confidence and team spirit.

Under the expert supervision of Jens Groh, an experienced climbing and ropes course trainer, at the end of the slackline the participants could choose whether they wanted to rush into the depths or climb a rope ladder. Several children even dared to repeat the action several times - some even dared to do the whole thing blindfolded, which not only shows courage but also great trust in the care. Such activities not only provide a thrill, but also a valuable opportunity for integration.

Integration through climbing

Climbing events, like the one in Miltenberg, are part of a larger trend aimed at making climbing easier for refugees. The non-profit organization ClimbAID, for example, has been strongly committed to helping people affected by war, poverty or displacement since it was founded in Zurich in 2016. In cooperation with Mammut, attempts are being made at various locations, including across borders, to bring joy and health to refugees through climbing sports. The organization emphasizes that climbing is not only a sporting activity, but also helps to overcome psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety. With over 2,000 refugees reached, ClimbAID has achieved a lot and relies on values ​​such as teamwork and respect, which are promoted in climbing.

In a world that is often characterized by barriers, a bridge is built here. Climbing promotes social skills, communication and problem-solving strategies, which is particularly important for young refugees. “Climbing for Peace” is the motto of ClimbAID and stands for the vision of making the world a better place through climbing. The events in Miltenberg make it clear how important such initiatives are and what positive effects they can have on the participants.

A look into the past

Climbing also has a notable influence on the integration of refugees in other cities, such as Dortmund. A refugee home was set up here in an old school in 2014, where volunteers worked to offer the children and young people a daily structure. Dieter Staubach, an urban planner and volunteer trainer, supported the young refugees with climbing opportunities, which was beneficial for both physical fitness and social integration. Such activities are essential to improve integration, as funding is often inadequate and many refugee policies in Germany are still subject to austerity constraints.

The challenges that come with accepting refugees should not be underestimated; the necessary resources are often missing. But it is precisely through initiatives such as the climbing events that it becomes clear that great things can be achieved even with little resources. Ingrid Kaiser, who led the activity in Miltenberg, praised the young people's commitment and rewarded them with participation certificates, which further fueled their ambition and motivation.

In conclusion, climbing can provide a valuable opportunity to build bridges and bring people together. The experiences gained and the positive feedback show how important it is to continue on this path and to strengthen the refugees' interest in their surroundings. The events are indeed a good example of how integration can be put into practice. Combined with a strong sense of community and the joy of shared experiences, the future is being created here.

For more information and additional background on these topics, you can read the reports from my-news.de, mountaineering.com as well as naturfreunde.de be visited.