Learning Vacation with famPLUS and Climb, Interview with Hannah Schmidt-Friderichs

In Hamburg, schoolchildren can spend very special holidays: learning holidays that boost self-confidence, enhance the joy of learning, and strengthen personal development. This has nothing to do with tutoring or a learning camp—company founder Hannah Schmidt-Friderichs even mentions that most children would like to participate longer than the 2 weeks their parents have booked for them at climb. We asked Ms. Schmidt-Friderichs in an interview why famPLUS and climb collaborate and what these learning holidays specifically entail. The questions were posed by Christine Finke.

How did the collaboration with famPLUS come about, Ms. Schmidt-Friderichs?

We met when we were awarded the Vodafone Act for Impact Prize in 2013. At the time, we were in the middle of the founding phase, and Dr. Solf from famPLUS approached us to say how exciting he found our business idea. We then started talking and developed our concept specifically towards serving corporate clients. Until June 1, 2015, we even shared an office in Hamburg – unfortunately, our rapidly growing companies no longer fit the space. It was a very wonderful time that I wouldn't want to miss!

Holidays and learning don't really sound pleasant at first. What do the children who are sent to them say?

They think it's great! They are 6-12 years old, and we always manage to meet the child at their level. Our classes are mixed-age and we work without pressure, purely based on motivation. In the normal school day, there is often no time for this. The children experience an enormous boost in their self-confidence with us because they enjoy learning. This is a very uplifting experience that they can benefit from long after finishing the holiday school.

And what kind of learning vacations do you offer exactly? Are there different programs?

Most parents book a 2-week package with us, and the learning holidays are each under a specific motto. For example, there is "Sports and Nutrition," "Research and Discovery," "My Neighborhood," or "Professions." It's more about learning how to learn rather than traditional cramming, and certainly not about frontal teaching. While we do teach math and German, our focus is more on self-, social, and methodological skills rather than pure subject knowledge.

Where are the learning holidays taking place?

Traditionally, in school rooms here in Hamburg or in other cities like Dortmund, for example. The schools provide us with their rooms during the holidays, so our learning holidays can take place directly in primary schools. This is practical because the children are often already familiar with the surroundings and because everything necessary for teaching is already available there – including child-friendly furnished rooms and plenty of school materials. Of course, we can also conduct our learning holidays in rooms of companies that can be suitably equipped.

And what does the class look like? Is it a typical school day?

Oh no. We start the morning with a shared breakfast at 9 a.m. After that, there are two 90-minute lessons, Math and German. We have a varied program during learning times, always focusing on a strength-oriented perspective on the children and seeking suitable teaching materials. Of course, there is a morning break. The morning classes end around 1 p.m. Then the students eat together, and it's time to play and rest.

The afternoon program begins at 2 PM with project time, featuring music, cooking, or crafts. The projects align with the theme and give the children the opportunity to apply and practice their interdisciplinary skills, such as concentration, courage, or perseverance, in a different context. The learning day concludes at 4 PM with a joint closing dance. School days are Monday to Friday.

So one shouldn't think of it like tutoring, right?

(Laughs) No, not at all, definitely not! We want to convey the joy of learning and interdisciplinary skills. The children learn to look at their strengths and develop them. In schools and tutoring, the focus is often on weaknesses. Our approach is to look: "What am I already good at and how can I use that?

Do teachers teach at your place?

Yes and no. We collaborate with prospective educators, teaching students, and aspiring childcare workers. Similarly, we also involve young people who have a completely different background and are eager to take on this challenge and share their joy of learning.

These adults then become vacation learning teachers with us and supervise about 15 children each, in pairs or threes. And in the process, the adults learn at least as much as the children do — about themselves, their roles, their strengths, and their goals. So, the circle is complete. Everyone truly benefits.

How much money do parents have to spend if they want to send their child to learning vacation?

A week costs about €550, but as a non-profit limited company, we also have many students who come to us through scholarships and donations. This is important to us, as we want to spread education widely and not be elitist or specifically for "problem children.

Does it benefit the children when they return to their regular school afterwards?

Even very much. We hear from the parents and the children that the experiences of success they have during our learning vacations give them a lot of self-confidence in everyday life and create a lasting desire to learn. At the end of the holiday program, the children take home an individual feedback sheet that shows them everything they have accomplished.

Depending on the request, our team also collects special moments and observations about individual children, which we then pass on to the class teachers so that the successes from the holidays can be continued in the classroom. Thanks to our close ties to the schools, the children really benefit from our learning holidays for a long time.

Link tip:  http://www.climb-lernferien.de/

famPLUS - Together for your personal PLUS!