Deutsche Wanderjugend

The DWJ supports children, young people and youth group leaders in many different ways. A big part of the work is to support the members by helping them develop and carry out activities, concepts and innovative ideas. DWJ also offers a wide range of practical and theoretical training courses. DWJ and its member organisations also offer a wide spectrum of activities from weekly group meetings to camps and international youth exchanges. A special focus is set on "Young Hiking". DWJ publishes information, articles, guidelines, leaflets and practical manuals (such as Outdoor-Kids – manual for group activities for children) online and in print. The organisation has its own member magazine WALK & more that is published four times a year. The strategic guidelines and organisational values of DWJ have been comprised into a mission statement with four key priorities: Out and about together Experiencing being part of a community strengthens self-confidence; the support of the community offers space for experiences, encouraging people to try out new things and helping them to overcome them. This is where one can examine ones’ values, build friendships and explore new paths (in life). For us, being out and about means literally being outside, hiking, exploring and camping. In addition, it means being adaptable, open to new and unfamiliar things. Experiencing nature - protecting nature - shaping the environment around us For a vivid understanding of the environment, both the sensual experience of nature and the understanding of ecological interrelations are important. For us, nature experience is just as much about getting to know the nature as it is about subjective perception of it, such as the individual challenges in terms of physical endurance and navigation. It is our objective to develop, through emotions and understanding, a commitment to nature conservation as a responsibility and standard in all areas of life. Exploring traditions and the modern culture By traditions, we refer to the cultural traditions of past generations. However, culture is also shaped by current trends and developments. It is our objective to make the notions of heritage and history tangible. To do so, we engage with tradition in relation to its specific time. We not only preserve and promote a variety of cultural traditions such as customs and rites, traditional clothing and dances, we also incorporate modern elements into our music and cultural education. To see the traditional and the modern in relation to each other requires a critical view of both. Encouraging democratic and social engagement We encourage children and young people to engage themselves in the societal reality. In our educational work, we aim to foster skills such as judgement, tolerance, fairness and civil courage. The aim is to empower young people to take responsibility, take action with equality, actively participate in society and thus contribute in shaping the world in which they live in.