Summer holidays for vulnerable children

Since 1932, Aarhuskolonien has offered marginalised and disadvantaged children in the 3rd-6th grade a free summer holiday stay. The donation from the Vissing Foundation will help make this possible in 2025.

“Aarhuskolonien’s holiday colony at Ebeltoft is the only major holiday colony offer for children living in Aarhus. We offer 12 days of holidays for 144 children and young people and solve a significant social problem for the most vulnerable children and their families. The stay is usually the only holiday option for the children and provides a break from an often problematic and chaotic everyday life,” says Morten Lundgaard Hansen, board member of Aarhuskolonien.

Aarhuskolonien prioritises admission for children from other ethnic backgrounds, helping them integrate into Danish society.

“These children especially benefit from close contact with adults and other children. The holiday stay therefore helps promote integration of these children – including language learning. The children often establish new friendships during their stay – across cultures and backgrounds,” says Morten Lundgaard Hansen.

He knows from experience that a holiday stay for a child often results in greater self-esteem and development, new friendships and trust in other people, recognition, physical, human and mental energy and discovering new sides of themselves.