Retrospective: Progress in Experiential Pedagogy

Thriving through Nature and Experience

At the Lëtzebuerger Kannerduerf Foundation, experiential individual pedagogy plays a central role in supporting children and adolescents. Designed for young people who need special guidance, this approach is based on concrete, often nature-based experiences that foster social, emotional, and cognitive development. It also represents a path toward prevention and personal empowerment.

Experiential individual pedagogy is grounded in the principle of “learning through experience.” Through engaging, often nature-related activities, children and young people are guided in their personal growth. The goal is to create experiences that can be reflected upon and analyzed, leading to new insights and behaviors. Another key element is learning to recognize one’s limits — and to push beyond them.

Individual pedagogy, meanwhile, takes a personalized, one-to-one approach to address each child’s unique needs and challenges.

In 2024, 29 children and teenagers benefited from these special educational measures, made possible through public funding and the generous support of partner foundations.

The Adventure House and its Natural Garden: An Inspiring Transformation

One of the highlights of 2024 was the renovation of the Experience House and the natural redesign of its surrounding garden. Through the “Renature” project, the space was redesigned both for outdoor experiential learning and as a peaceful place for reflection and personal growth.

The garden now includes, among other things, dry-stone walls and a sandarium, fruit trees and “snacking corners,” natural biotopes such as ponds and wetlands, a raised-bed vegetable garden and an herb spiral, as well as wildflower meadows and insect hotels.

These additions aim to foster environmental awareness, strengthen young people’s sense of self-efficacy, and cultivate practical skills such as gardening and sustainable management.

Two Flagship Projects in 2024

Lëtz Bike: Riding Together, Finding Your Way
This sports project targets adolescents aged 13 to 19. In June 2024, participants went on a multi-day cycling tour across Luxembourg, accompanied by experiential educators Kevin Schneider and Marie Roderes.
Beyond the physical challenge, the focus was on teamwork, self-confidence, and connecting with nature. Reflection sessions along the route encouraged participants to process their experiences and gain insight into their personal development.
The route — from Mersch to Lultzhausen via Beaufort and back — was designed to encourage cooperation, strengthen social skills, and boost self-esteem.

Go Wild! Learning to Push Your Limits in Nature
Inspired by Germany’s Kurt Hahn Cup, this project offers an exciting adventure challenge for young people aged 12 to 21. In teams of around four, accompanied by a professional, participants take on various outdoor and survival challenges over two days.
In summer 2024, the defending champions from Schneider Haff faced off successfully against the motivated challengers from House 11, once again claiming the trophy. The goal is to make nature a true learning space, promoting responsibility, perseverance, and teamwork—enhancing both social and emotional skills.
One young participant described the experience vividly:
“At the start, we got a map to find our way, which gave us more points than using GPS or a car. (...) Even though the goal was to do better than the other team, we mostly had fun. (...) My favorite part was the night hike—it was pitch dark, and I had to walk alone. I started talking to myself to stay calm, and after that, I wasn’t scared anymore. I’d do it again in a heartbeat—it was awesome!”

Such experiences strengthen self-confidence, accountability, perseverance, and social and emotional skills through real-life challenges.

Conclusion

Experiential individual pedagogy has proven to be a powerful catalyst for growth among children and adolescents. It helps them discover their inner strengths, build confidence, and live transformative experiences that prepare them for the future.

In 2024, thanks to the commitment of the Lëtzebuerger Kannerduerf Foundation and the support of its partners, these projects provided many young people with lasting guidance, meaningful experiences, and hope for a positive future.