Every year, the association Børnelejren på Langeland (Children's Camp on Langeland) sends children from all over the country on a vacation stay at their farm, Søgård Hovedgård, located in the scenic surroundings of Langeland.

The association's target group is all children who are not doing as well as they should in Denmark today – for example, socially disadvantaged children, neglected children, children who have been removed from their homes, children with developmental disabilities, physically disabled children, mentally ill children, children in children's homes, and children from low-income families.

We receive applications from childcare institutions that all work with vulnerable children. Our aim with the camps is first and foremost to give disadvantaged children a good experience that they would not otherwise have had. The stay should help them to move forward in their often unexciting everyday lives, says Dina Reece, chair of the Children's Camp on Langeland.

The children's camp on Langeland is a charitable association whose purpose is to raise money to finance stays for disadvantaged children who would otherwise not be able to go on vacation.

Many of the public funds that were previously available to "our" children have been closed, and we hear from institutions, drop-in centers, etc., that it is difficult to obtain sufficient funding. It is particularly difficult to find room in the budget for a holiday stay, which is why there is a greater need than ever for the funded stays that Børnelejren can offer, says Dina Reece.

Last year, Børnelejren was able to hold a total of 27 camps, and at present, funding has been raised to hold 18 camps in 2024.

In addition to experiences in nature and visits to nearby attractions, such as Langelandsfortet, Rasmus Klumps Skib in Bagenkop, Kong Humbles Grav, etc., children have plenty of opportunities for activities on the farm.

Here, there is a large playground, a ball game court, an artificial turf pitch, a fire pit, a shelter, a zip line, a swimming pool, and the barn has been converted into two gyms with pool tables, hockey, curling, and basketball nets. There is also a roller skating rink, a music room with instruments, etc.

"We receive feedback from the institutions that it has been a fantastic experience for the children, and that the enormous range of activities on offer allows them to socialize together while also providing space and opportunity for quiet time and solitude," says Dina Reece.

– We receive many reports that the stay has contributed to the children's well-rounded and personal development. For example, a 12-year-old boy wrote in our guest book that it had been the best week of his life.

In 1979, Margit and Kjeld Andersen established Sol og Strand A/S. The couple has now transferred ownership to a foundation based on a desire to preserve and develop the company in Danish hands and to support charitable and local causes.

"We are delighted to be able to support an association such as Børnelejren Langeland, which ensures that children who are struggling have a positive experience, and we hope that this can be a bright spot in their difficult everyday lives," say Margit and Kjeld Andersen.