Funding from foundations makes it possible for the boarding school to offer water activities to students who struggle academically
The joy was great when Holte-Hus Efterskole recently received the news that the school had received support from Fonden Sol og Strand through Margit og Kjeld.
The foundation aims to support charitable purposes, and the board has decided to support the project in North Zealand with 7,500 kroner.
This will give an extra boost to the school's ability to offer outdoor life as an elective subject to its students.
– Our goal is to offer electives in water activities, and therefore we have applied for funding to purchase sea kayaks, wetsuits, safety equipment, and a trailer that the students can use, says Henrik Daugaard, who is the principal at Holte-Hus Efterskole, a school for students with severe dyslexia.
Last year, the school moved from Holte to Gilleleje, where the Øresund and Kattegat invite water activities along the North Zealand coast.
– Our students are not academically strong – with the sea kayaks, we can take the teaching out onto the water, which provides opportunities for experiences and learning at the same time. You gain the necessary knowledge and respect for the sea, learning about good seamanship, marine life, the environment, sustainability, etc.
The sea kayaks will also help strengthen the students' skills in communication, as the plan is to offer guided kayak tours to schools, the local community, and tourists.
– Furthermore, there is no doubt that these activities contribute to strengthening the sense of community among the students, says Henrik Daugaard.