After last year's virtual event, the "kidsTUMove" summer camp of the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics could again take place in presence this year. Under the motto "We are heroes!", a total of 40 children and adolescents between the ages of six and 17 took part in the five-day camp week on the TUM Campus in the Olympic Park from August 9 to 13, 2021.
"For everyone involved, it was a relief to get to socialize again, have fun in a group and do sports together. Of course, the applicable hygiene guidelines were observed, so that we were able to experience a safe camp with our 'heroines' over five days," said Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz, Dean of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences and head of the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics, pleased with the successful organization.
"Even without the overnight stays that are customary before Corona, the week was an unforgettable experience," said Dr. Nicola Stöcker, a Research Associate at the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics as well as the Applied Sport Sciences operating unit. "The team spirit of our 'heroines' not infrequently led to goosebump moments, for example when gently supporting each other at lofty heights in the Vaterstetten climbing forest, or even during the Olympics in fair group competition."
Among the participants were children and adolescents with chronic diseases (e.g. with a congenital heart defect or in the aftercare of a cancer disease), healthy siblings and friends, as well as, for the first time, children of TUM employees. In addition, eight so-called "heart children" from the association Kinderherz from South Tyrol and Trentino in Italy also attended.
An interdisciplinary team from the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics and the Applied Sports Sciences unit, as well as students from the Sports and Health Sciences programs, who had creatively designed and implemented the program as part of their elective modules, kept surprises in store for the kids day after day. They were supported by volunteers (former long-time participants of the "kidsTUMove" summer camp as well as sports teachers from Italy).
The week was equipped with several highlights to test personal limits, gain new self-confidence and strengthen the sense of community. A healthy diet was ensured during the moving week by delicious fruit and vegetable snacks for the breaks with the help of sponsors. Culinary treats for the participants included Italian fare, Bavarian alpine food and snacks, and homemade wraps.
"It was a heroically unique and eventful week that gifted us with strengthened self-confidence, many heroic deeds collected in a treasure chest, and exciting experiences," Dominik Gaser, project collaborator and Research Associate at the Chair of Preventive Pediatrics, summarizes the event. "It was also once again an enriching week for our team and the many helping students. Offering the children a vacation week full of fun was a lot of fun for us."
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
Dr. Nicola Stöcker
Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Applied Sports Sciences
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24678
e-mail: nicola.stoecker(at)tum.de
Dominik Gaser
Chair of Preventive Pediatrics
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24579
e-mail: dominik.gaser(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photos: „kidsTUMove“