„Naturally us“: Our new programme partner

After almost two years of special use, the Wuppertal Youth Hostel will soon be opening its doors to guests again - including school classes, of course. The youth hostel has brought a new programme partner on board so that they are not only fully catered for in the youth hostel, but can also benefit from a sustainable learning experience. Let us introduce you to „Natürlich wir“.

Valentin Frickenhaus, founder and Managing Director of „Natürlich wir“, actually studied International Business Administration. He „only“ financed his studies as an experiential educator. After a few years of professional experience, he decided to devote himself entirely to experiential education and turn his hobby into his profession. It was not until 2023 that he founded „Natürlich wir“ - a decision he has never regretted. Today, his team includes a pool of 7-8 freelance employees.

Forest adventure playground

Even as a child, the 35-year-old spent a lot of time outdoors. Camping, making fires, going on discovery tours - Valentin Frickenhaus experienced many of the things that „Natürlich wir“ offers today himself as a child. He therefore knows how important these experiences of nature are for children and young people. It is therefore hardly surprising that he now works as a certified environmental and adventure educator and forest guide. What makes him and his team special, however, is the educational approach they take when organising the activities. „We want our employees to have previous knowledge of systemic work and non-violent communication. If this is not the case, we slowly introduce them to the topic because this is our approach to how we want to meet people,“ says Valentin Frickenhaus, who is also a therapist for systemic conflict and NVC training as well as a de-escalation trainer.

Success factor „personal relationship“

When implementing the programmes, „Natürlich wir“ attaches particular importance to making them as individual as possible. For this reason, a preliminary telephone discussion is usually held with the teacher in advance to assess the needs of the group. This assessment is then compared in a second personal meeting at the start of the school trip. „However, if we then realise that the group needs something completely different, we reserve the right to make changes - in consultation with the teacher, of course. We always give priority to disruptions.“ It is also very important that the supervisor builds up a personal relationship with the participants. „It always starts with building a relationship. If this is successful, an intersubjective field opens up that - combined with new experiences in the context of adventure, play and forest education activities - can offer space for curiosity, experiencing and testing, as well as personal development,“ explains Valentin Frickenhaus.

Offers as a supplement to the „school“ system“

The programmes that „Natürlich wir“ has developed together with the Wuppertal Youth Hostel can soon be booked for the year 2025. There are various focal points and programme contents that make knowledge tangible and experienceable. Valentin Frickenhaus is particularly proud of the „A city made of wood“ model, which not many programme partners offer. Here, „Natürlich wir“ brings 8,000 to 10,000 building blocks to the youth hostel, with which the school classes can give free rein to their creativity. „The module is informative for us because we can create a sociogram of the class. Teachers, on the other hand, often get to know the children from a completely new perspective. Children who find it difficult to concentrate in class often spend an hour or more building in complete silence and concentration,“ says the experiential educator. Other programme modules take school classes out into nature: „Unfortunately, the level of knowledge about the forest and nature is decreasing all the time. We want to strengthen the connection so that more people take responsibility for nature again.“ This is done, for example, by building a forest hut, climbing trees safely and other exercises adapted to the group.

In addition, „Natürlich wir“ has a colourful variation of games and challenges that are adapted to the individual needs of the group. The core elements are trust, problem-solving strategies, mutual help, coordination, communication, fun and enjoyment as well as movement. After the adventure game has been experienced, it is reflected on together in the group context in order to promote the development of social skills. Such reflection sessions are part of almost every training course organised by „Natürlich wir“.

Further programme content and information on „Natürlich wir“ can be found on the website www.natuerlich-wir.de. If you would like to book your next school trip to Wuppertal directly, simply contact the Service team of the youth hostels in the Rhineland. You can reach the team by phone at: 0211-3026 3026 or by e-mail to: service@djh-rheinland.de.