Extended vacation time granted to individuals with disabilities during summer months
In the heart of Germany, the city of Bottrop is proud to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of its summer leisure time program for children, young people, and young adults with disabilities. The Social Director, Karen Alexius-Eifert, is particularly proud of this long-standing tradition, which has been a cornerstone of Bottrop's leisure offerings for over three decades.
The program, organised by the Social Office of Bottrop under the leadership of Stefan Bartizal, offers a variety of activities designed to cater to the needs of each participant. This year, 53 children, young people, and young adults aged six to 21 are taking part, marking a significant increase from the initial 40 participants per year when the program began.
The three-week leisure time offer includes trips to local attractions such as the swimming pool, Schloss Beck leisure park, and Rotthoffshof in Kirchhellen. The Rotthoffshof is a unique facility where people with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses work under the leadership of the Diakonie. It offers therapeutic riding and promotes inclusion, making it an ideal destination for the leisure time program.
Stefan Bartizal, the organiser of the leisure time, finds the Spielraum a special place and feels like he's coming home. This year, the summer leisure time for people with disabilities is taking place in the Open Children and Youth Facility Spielraum.
The high registration numbers indicate the importance of this offer for families in Bottrop. The program provides a valuable alternative to school offers, as emphasised by Matthias Buschfeld, Chairman of the Social Committee. He notes that the holiday camp offers a much-needed break for parents or guardians from their everyday responsibilities.
For those interested in participating or learning more about the program, registrations can be made through Stefan Bartizal, who can be reached at [email protected] or 02041 / 70-3568. A total of 46 supervisors are working alongside Bartizal to ensure a varied and individually tailored program for the participants.
Although specific search results about the 33rd anniversary of the summer leisure time for people with disabilities in Bottrop are scarce, information can be found by checking official Bottrop city websites or local community centers specialising in activities for people with disabilities. Social service organisations in Bottrop that arrange inclusive leisure programs and disability advocacy groups or regional news are also potential sources of information for upcoming events.
The Summer Leisure Time program, in its 33rd year, extending beyond children's amusement, also includes home-and-garden events, promoting sustainable living among participants. This year, Rotthoffshof – a unique facility that combines work and therapy for those with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses – becomes an integral part of the home-and-garden segment, fostering a sense of community and inclusion.
