International young people are redesigning the Kelkheim BMX course

International young people are redesigning the Kelkheim BMX course

Twelve young people from different countries experienced an unforgettable summer in the heart of Kelkheim. An international work camp took place there from July 28th to August 8th, 2023, where young people from countries such as Spain, Italy, Turkey, Mexico and China worked together on an exciting project. The aim was to redesign the BMX course, which was closed for safety reasons. Despite the initially bad weather and a lot of rain, which left the participants in dirty sneakers, the young volunteers were not discouraged. Reports the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Thanks to the initiative of Petra Bliedtner, head of the Kelkheim youth welfare office, rubber boots were organized at special prices. The project also received support from local Rotarians, the energy supplier Mainova and city councilor Stefan Thalheimer, who set up a donation box for a farewell party. This showed how important the local community takes international exchange.

An exciting project

The BMX course, which was redesigned with the help of Julian Bauer, a mountain biker and high school graduate, now features a starting hill, a long curve and a pump track with lots of waves. The young people moved a total of around a hundred tons of earth and installed two new benches on stable pillars. Despite the hard work, it was important not to lose sight of the fun. If the weather was good, a barbecue evening at the Ruppertshain youth club and a trip to the outdoor pool were also planned, but unfortunately this could not be realized. The Taunus Nachrichten points out that the working hours were daily from around 10 a.m. and a maximum of six hours per day.

This workcamp was aimed at committed young people between the ages of 18 and 25 and even invited local young people aged 16 and over to take part in the project without prior registration. The requirements were commitment, teamwork and openness. The focus was not only on work, but also on intercultural exchange, the application of language skills and making new friends across national borders.

Experiences and outlook

Despite the challenges and gloomy weather during the stay, Tan Michelle from Kelkheim took an active part in the work camp and helped implement the new ideas. Such programs not only promote intercultural exchange, but are also an excellent opportunity for youth to gain practical experience and enrich their community.

This summer, a total of 14 such programs took place in the region, including in cities such as Darmstadt and Gießen. For interested young people, the Bundesjugendwerk offers comprehensive information on international youth work.