Exceptional times call for exceptional measures - that's why the “KidsTUMove” summer camp organised by the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics headed by Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz and the Department of Applied Sports Science will take place digitally for the first time this year from 3 to 7 August 2020. The organisational team around project team member Christina Sitzberger has developed a varied programme for interested children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 under the motto “Summer Camp 2.0 - Living Room Edition”.
“KidsTUMove” was originally founded in 2007 and since then it has aimed, among other things, to give chronically ill children and young people access to sport and exercise to promote the health, quality of life and self-confidence of the children involved. “Children and adolescents with chronic illnesses and their siblings, who are often equally psychologically burdened, can discover what added value healthy nutrition, physical activity and relaxation methods can have on their well-being and health via a variety of different activities”, explains Prof. Dr. Oberhoffer-Fritz. “Working together in a group has a special significance here - partly also because it allows participants to realize that they are not the only ones affected by chronic disease.
In order to be able to hold this year's summer camp despite the contact restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic a virtual classroom will be used for which the participating children and adolescents will be registered so that they can then post photos and comments or share links. According to Prof. Oberhoffer-Fritz, the digital version offers new possibilities, but also brings new challenges: “The digital camp's main opportunity is to reach children who have not yet dared to spend a whole week without their parents in unfamiliar surroundings. And, the challenge is to make the program attractive enough to ensure that all participants take part for several days."
Each camp day will start at 8 AM with a morning ritual and a “colourful greeting to the sun”, followed by a communal warm-up with alternating activities. “Afterwards, the children are given a challenge to work on independently throughout the day”, says Christina Sitzberger, explaining the procedure. “We will also support the program in the virtual classroom with uploaded tutorials.” This year's highlights include a joint virtual “live cooking” event and a dance performance. At the end of the week, the participants will let their self-made lanterns rise into the sky during the "Starlight" event.
In addition to the Chair's project team, twelve students from the two modules “KidsTUMove” and “Special Features of Human Development” were jointly responsible for the organization and composition of this year's program. “The students have planned the entire week in advance and are currently working on acquiring participants”, says Sitzberger. “They are going to be fully involved in the summer camp and will gather and compile their experiences and feedback afterwards.”
The summer camp is financed by donations from companies and private individuals, who not only provide financial support but also donations in kind such as handicraft materials.
Due to the virtual format, the number of participants is unlimited, which is why siblings and friends of chronically ill children and adolescents are also invited to take part in this year's summer camp. Please register in advance by sending an e-mail to christina.sitzberger(at)tum.de. Registered participants will receive a free “Care Package” from the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics in advance containing all the necessary materials for the programs' activities.
To the homepage of „KidsTUMove“
To the homepage of the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz
Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24574
e-mail: praeventive-paediatrie(at)tum.de
Christina Sitzberger
Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24578
e-mail: christina.sitzberger(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photos: KidsTUMove