This year, the Klaus Höchstetter Foundation once again provided both financial and active support for the Kids4Freedom international sailing camp. With Lukas Höchstetter, Deputy Chairman of the Klaus Höchstetter Foundation, and Nikolas Höchstetter, member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, two experienced skippers were also on-site to accompany the youth throughout the entire week.

A particular focus of our commitment was on supporting the participants from the Gauting girls’ home, whose participation in this extraordinary project was made possible through the Foundation’s funding.

Learning for Life on the Water

The sailing camp brings together young people from different countries, cultures, and life realities. What connects them is the shared experience on board: sailing means taking responsibility, looking out for one another, making decisions together, and overcoming challenges as a team.
After only a short time, it was palpable how a community emerged from what were initially groups of strangers. During sailing, creative team tasks, the traditional dinghy race, or shared activities on land, language barriers became increasingly unimportant. Instead, trust, respect, and genuine friendships were formed.
Special moments included the design of national and team flags, exciting competitions on the water, and the joint farewell party. There, the young people performed the choreographies they had practiced during the week, sang the traditional Kids4Freedom song together, and said their goodbyes with many memories that will stay with them for a long time.

Encounters That Open Perspectives

For the young people, the camp offers far more than a sporting adventure. They gain self-confidence, strengthen their social skills, and experience how enriching the exchange with people from other cultures can be. Many of the friendships formed extend far beyond the shared week.
Especially for the participants from the Gauting girls’ home, such experiences create new perspectives. They experience community, personal responsibility, and solidarity in an environment that encourages them and promotes personal development.

More Than Financial Support

For the Klaus Höchstetter Foundation, supporting Kids4Freedom is more than just providing financial resources. The active involvement of Foundation members and the promotion of young people align with our foundational philosophy of creating opportunities, fostering personal development, and strengthening social cohesion.

We would like to thank the entire Kids4Freedom team, all the supervisors, and the young people for this sailing week, which has an impact far beyond the time spent together on the water. The experiences, friendships, and perspectives gained make it clear: mutual trust and cooperation are the keys. Together we are strong.