The Chairs Report 2022-2024 by YMCA-YWCA Denmark

The Chairs' Report 2022–2024

More than a decade with more and new communities for children and young people

"In 2025, YMCA and YWCA will be a dynamic and vibrant organization that reaches out to more and new target groups. We offer activities that, based on a clear Christian foundation, address the needs of the children and young people around us and strengthen their resilience and opportunities in relation to both their spiritual life and civic life.”

This was the Vision 2025, adopted at the YMCA and YWCA National assembly in 2012.

In this report, you can read where and how the YMCA and YWCA have actively worked with this vision in various parts of the organization.

HAPPY READING!

Is YMCA and YWCA Denmark, as of 2024, a dynamic and vibrant organization that reaches out to more target groups? That was the hope, and today the numbers tell us that the organization has more than 5,000 members under 30 years old.

Growth in Local Activities

Members meet weekly for activities in YMCA and YWCA’s associations, clubs, project workshops, children's folk high schools, various choirs, and, as a new addition, The Fair House (Fairhuset). Indeed, these activities, supported by the Committee for Local Activity Environments (LA), have grown in both offerings and participation since 2012. So the answer must be a resounding YES!

READ MORE ABOUT YMCA AND YWCA'S LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Fællesklang – Denmark’s

Largest Youth Choir

Fællesklang has over 950 members spread across 11 choirs in major cities around the country. Each year, the choirs come together for a joint concert with about 470 choir singers.

However, 2024 marks a special occasion for an even larger concert.

Fællesklang will celebrate its 10th anniversary, which will be commemorated with a grand anniversary concert in Odense’s magnificent concert hall, ODEON, with invitations extended widely across the country.

What began in 2014 as an idea for a choir embracing diversity is now nothing less than Denmark’s largest youth choir. Freedom, community, and openness are the building blocks of the choir, contributing to a steady increase in choir members nationwide since its inception.

Fællesklang in ALL of Denmark

Fællesklang Inner City Copenhagen 32 years old

Being out there and singing concerts with Fællesklang is a joy in itself, as it often brings joy to other people as well.

f Aarhus Midtby

f Aarhus, Frederiksbjerg

f Odense

f København Indre by f København, Amager

f København, Vesterbro

f Aalborg

f Vejle

f Esbjerg

f Holstebro

EMIL ANDERSEN

READ MORE ABOUT FÆLLESKLANG

Photo: Magnus Najbjerg

Children’s Folk High Schools: Community and Presence

The concept of establishing a Children’s Folk High School within YMCA and YWCA began as a simple idea from a volunteer and has since expanded to five other cities, several of which now also have an appointed principal in charge.

These folk high schools focus on attentive adults, play, inclusivity, and fostering a sense of community and folk high school spirit designed specifically for children. This idea has resonated with many families who may not have been familiar with YMCA and YWCA before. Each year, new children participate in the courses offered at the Children’s Folk High Schools, and for most, it is their first encounter with YMCA and YWCA.

We already have children from many of the municipality's schools, and we dream of reaching all children in the target group so they know about the Children’s Folk High School.

It fosters a sense of community and provides children the opportunity to grow and make new friends.

Director Status 2023

f Haderslev Children’s Folk High School and Kolding Children’s Folk High School: Esben Thøstesen

f Amager Children’s Folk High School: Rie Brodersen

f Herning Children’s Folk High School: Julieanne McMillan

f Aarhus Children’s Folk High School: Thomas Rauff Krøyer

f Brædstrup Children’s Folk High School is run by volunteers, with Bodil Just Jørgensen as the contact person.

ANNIE ENGROB KNUDSEN Volunteer

Haderslev Children’s Folk High School

SIMON STIG OTTOSEN Volunteer Aarhus Children’s Folk High School

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDREN'S FOLK HIGH SCHOOLS

The first Fair House in Denmark – A Free Space in Constant Transformation

In May 2024, Denmark’s very first Fairhus finally opened its doors at Katrinebjerg in Aarhus.

The project had been two years in the making, driven by a mutual interest from volunteers in Denmark and Fryshuset in Sweden. The volunteers looked with great curiosity at Norway’s Houses of Change (Forandringshuset) and Sweden’s Fryshuset, and it coincided with Fryshuset inviting YMCA and YWCA Denmark on a study trip, which quickly led to a collaboration.

Since then, the partnership has been very close, and today the first Fairhus is open to young people in Aarhus. The house offers young people the opportunity for personal development, self-expression, participation, and most importantly – a sanctuary from perfection and performance.

We are incredibly happy and proud to have opened a house that can accommodate many young people and their dreams and ideas. Our ambition is to remain relevant for many different young people for many years. This means we must constantly evolve in step with the youth.

It’s an incredible feeling to see that Fair House has gone from being an idea to a house filled with young people who use it daily. Every single time a young person dares to step through the door, I genuinely feel incredibly happy. It shows that they want to be part of a community, which has been the intention from the very start.

More Fair Houses on the Way

Efforts are currently underway to secure funding for new Fair Houses in Esbjerg, Aalborg, and Copenhagen.

Stay updated and learn more about the Fair House project

The Fair House in Aarhus is supported by the A.P. Møller Foundation.

KLINTE SKOVSHOLT LANDERHOLM

Head of Fair House Aarhus

JAKOB HOVE KRISTENSEN

Project Coordinator at Fair House Aarhus

Photo:

Caroline Schjødt Pedersen

Lunchboxes and Creativity

Attract Children and Volunteers

Children’s clubs are often perceived as long-term and demanding, but they do not have to be. 'The Children's Project Workshop' is a new club format at YMCA and YWCA, running over 4-6 weeks.

This format and duration have proven effective in attracting both volunteers and participants when children and young people come together for a specific activity within a defined period. These clubs have emerged in various parts of the country: in Asp, there's the ‘Lunchbox Club’; in Skive, different workshops such as ‘Gold and Recycling,’ ‘The Cookie Tin,’ and ‘Soapbox Car’ have been tried; and in Ikast, there is the ‘Creative Workshop.’

We try to be relevant for children who don’t already participate in extracurricular activities. When we launched the first workshops, we went to two schools to hand out flyers to reach new target groups unfamiliar with YMCA and YWCA.

The Creative Workshop is a space where older children and young teenagers can come and explore their creativity using tools they might not have access to at home. They enjoy spending time together and find a space to unwind after school. It’s a place for community, but also where individuals can engage in their own personal activities.

REGITZE BAHN LARSEN

Volunteer

YMCA and YWCA Skive

STINE BOYE PETERSEN

Volunteer

YMCA and YWCA Ikast

Photo: Theresa Engelst Lassen

LEARN MORE

Singing and Music Create Communities Across Generations

Families build a community around music when children and adults attend Family Choir or Family Singing together. They share experiences of how singing brings joy and creates a peaceful time to enjoy together as a family.

Family Choir Silkeborg

YMCA and YWCA Silkeborg

READ MORE ABOUT FAMILY SINGING AND FAMILY CHOIR

When we sing together, I shut the world out and enjoy the moment, embracing the joy of singing together.

I think the most fun part is when there are some songs playing while you sit and draw with your friends.

ELLA RAABJERG BRÆNDSTRUP

YMCA and YWCA Amager 9 years old

fRead the article “Family Choir is a Great Way to Be Together”

INGE GRØNBO

Photo: Theresa Engelst Lassen

Disco is the Children’s Party

Children’s disco is hugely popular, with nearly 1,000 children gathering at disco events hosted by associations across the country each month. So many children come together to celebrate, dance, and have fun that YMCA and YWCA Stoholm celebrated their their guest number 6.000 last year.

MARTIN BOJER HARREGAARD

YMCA and YWCA Stoholm

The DJ and the dance floor are the focal points of the children’s disco, but our DJ often feels that there are far too few children on the dance floor. So, in a way, it’s not the disco itself that attracts them the most. It’s probably the overall festive atmosphere that draws them in. The children also enjoy a lot of autonomy – but within a structured environment. We don’t have any mandatory activities for everyone. They choose what to do based on the available options, and the evening definitely has a bit of a ‘free play and party with friends’ vibe.

f Read the entire article "Children's disco! The discotheque is a hit among the youngest"

Photo: Theresa Engelst Lassen

Raptus is the volleyball club of the year – and much more

When Volleyball Denmark named VK Raptus as the Club of the Year 2022, they described Raptus as a gift to the world of volleyball. The club warmly welcomes new players – not only those who are naturally drawn to volleyball, but also those who are attracted to Raptus because of its values and sense of community.

Volunteer at VK Raptus in

29 years old

I think one of the keys to our success is that we dared to have a vision of being more than just a volleyball club. We are an open and inclusive club with a strong emphasis on community, ensuring there is space for everyone. Whether you’re making your first pass or have been playing for many years, we have a team that fits you.

CASPER LYKKEGAARD

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus Midtby

Aarhus

READ ABOUT THE SELECTION

Photo: Jonas Mølgaard

READ MORE ABOUT VOLLEY AT YMCA AND YWCA

Children’s Clubs: A Safe Community Without Mom and Dad

Every week, local associations across the country host activities for their youngest participants. The activities vary but are structured within ‘children’s clubs,’ where everything from board games, storytelling, discussions about faith, and outings fill the clubs’ programs. Here, children experience from an early age what it’s like to be part of a community where they can feel safe and have fun, even when mom and dad are at home.

Miniklub YMCA and YWCA Aulum

Why should others join Miniklub?

Anna: “Because it’s fun and cozy.”

Laura: “You make friends.”

Emil: “You can play together.”

Children from Mini Mok in Vildbjerg visiting Tante Andante

“It was really fun when Olsen the Octopus sprayed water in the middle of the Bible story.”

“I think the outdoor instruments are fun to play with.”

Who is Tante Andante?

Tante Andante and her (play) house in Lemvig are fun and welcoming spaces for children, where they are encouraged to use their imagination, play, sing, dance, paint, invent, or tell stories.

Photo: Theresa Engelst Lassen

READ MORE ABOUT TANTE ANDANTE AND HER CHARACTERS

Fairbar is ...

...a non-profit bar, a cultural hub, a live music venue, a craft beer bar, a volunteer community, a board game café, a co-working space – in short, a gathering place for many, right in the heart of Aarhus.

Since 2008, Fairbar has offered a different way to experience community and the Christian values of YMCA and YWCA. With its welcoming atmosphere, the bar is run by volunteer bartenders, many of whom are not familiar with YMCA and YWCA before joining. However, with a strong value system and the DNA of YMCA and YWCA, where profits are donated to YMCA partners in Lviv and Lutsk in western Ukraine, the purpose resonates with most who step behind the bar and serve happy guests the carefully selected craft beers.

It’s fantastic to make a difference while having a great time behind the bar.

I don’t usually think about Fairbar being part of YMCA and YWCA, but there are definitely values here that resonate – like community and inclusivity, which I really appreciate. And it’s great that by volunteering, you get to do something meaningful for others, not just yourself, since the profits support a charitable project within the organization.

VILLADS WAC

Volunteer Bartender at Fairbar Aarhus 21 years old

FREDERIK STAALBY

Volunteer Bartender at Fairbar Aarhus 29 years old

Photo: Daniel Luther-Diemer og

Daniel Roved Langgaard

READ MORE ABOUT CAFES AT YMCA AND YWCA

Invite More Into the Community

Fair House

Young people set the agenda for the activities, layout, and daily life in Fair House. It offers spaces where they can relax and reach for more. Start a Fair House (see brochure).

Family Choir

The joy of singing is shared across generations when children and adults work together on a common project. Start your own choir (see guide).

Family Singing

Enjoy a peaceful afternoon with other families with young children. Hosts guide 3045 minutes of communal singing from the Højskolesangbogen. Get started with Family Singing (see guide).

Children’s Folk High School

Broaden the world for the youngest by introducing them to the folk high school values of community, education, and dignity based on a national church foundation. Open a Children’s Folk High School (see guide).

Children’s Project Workshops

Start new time-limited children’s clubs focused on a specific project. Open a project workshop, contact Dorte Hougaard Madsen at dhm@kfum-kfuk.dk

Children’s Disco

Turn on the disco ball and throw a party for the youngest members with Children’s Disco. Start a Children’s Disco in your association (see guide).

Fællesklang

Fællesklang is for everyone aged 18-35 who loves singing gospel, Disney, and pop hits. There are no auditions, and the choir values community highly. Start your own choir (see guide).

Faith and Christianity in YMCA and YWCA Have Taken Many Forms

Children and young people should encounter Christianity and its relevance – these were some of the words in our Mission 2025. Since then, the work of the Christianity Committee has resulted in various formats.

Christianity has found relevance through in-depth discussions and talks at festivals and camps for young people aged 13-18, on trips to France with insights and devotions in the ecumenical brotherhood of Taizé, and recently in a climate context, with a new course called Reconnect offered as a national-local initiative. There have been many offerings, and just as many conversations.

Godly Play Give Children a Language for Faith

A new resource offers a space for children and adults to explore Bible stories together, helping them develop a more natural and expressive way to talk about faith and existence.

I think I’ll be more comfortable focusing on the children’s spirituality and the story itself, rather than my own reflections on the texts.

The footprints left in the sand after the figures have moved around make it much easier to remember the story when we talk about it later. You can just look back at the sand to recall the events.

TINE ENGROB JØRGENSEN YMCA and YWCA Kjellerup

ALBERTE KONGSGAARD HANSEN YMCA and YWCA Kolding 13 years old

Photo: Christian Blom-Bloch

Choice Sparks High Engagement at Wonderful Days

At Wonderful Days 2023, festival participants were, for the first time, given the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of activities during the festival’s ‘reflection’ program.

Volunteer

Reflection Committee 2023 and 2024

24 years old

At Wonderful Days ‘23, we tried something new by offering young people more freedom of choice, allowing them the opportunity to gain deeper insight into their own faith. Specifically, we offered participants a selection of activities, ranging from discussion-based sessions to physical activities and everything in between. This approach created different spaces where each participant could feel more comfortable and engage on their own terms.

I think it’s really amazing that we get to choose for ourselves. It just makes everyone happy and eager to join in on what they’ve picked.

ESTER NELLEMANN

in the Wonderful Days

PARTICIPANT FROM WONDERFUL DAYS ‘23

LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTIONAL REFLECTION

Taizé – A Unique Spiritual Experience

For many years, young members aged 18-30 have been able to join YMCA and YWCA on a spiritual journey to Taizé in France.

This unique ecumenical brotherhood, home to over 100 brothers, welcomes 400-800 guests from around the world each week, offering a space for reflection, connection, and meaningful conversations in the serene surroundings of the autumn break.

The whole atmosphere around and in Taizé is magical and difficult to describe to those who haven’t been there. But if I were to try, I’d say it feels like a bubble of human connectedness and peace –that’s what Taizé’s atmosphere represents to me.

YMCA and YWCA Varde

Trip Leader for Taizé 2024 23 years old

21 years old

From the moment you step into Taizé, you are embraced by an incredible sense of peace that is present at all times. It was quite remarkable to experience, making the place feel even more special.

f Quotations are excerpts from this article

KAROLINE HOLM PEDERSEN

MARIE HOVE-NYBORG

YMCA and YWCA Holstebro

READ MORE ABOUT THE TAIZÉ JOURNEY

Photo: Marius Henneberg Josiassen

Det med Gud: When Devotion and Play Merge

There are many ways to create devotions, and at DetMedGud, the focus is on using a variety of creative activities and materials that inspire meaningful conversations about faith and doubt among children and young people.

Recently, an old schoolyard game inspired new devotional material for DetMedGud’s catalog: the classic paper fortune tellers. These fortune tellers, already a cozy paper game, have been adapted for different age groups, incorporating images and questions designed to spark discussions specifically about faith and doubt.

The many activities and communities within YMCA and YWCA provide a great opportunity to continue insisting on being a space where children and young people can develop spiritually. We need to keep looking each other in the eye and reminding one another that this is a place where there’s room for the big questions.

...is a devotional platform offering more than 100 ready-made devotions. It provides inspiration for volunteers, pastors, and teachers to create spaces where topics like faith, doubt, hope, helplessness, and life can be explored with children and young people. The project is a collaboration between KFUM Scouts, the Green Girl Guides, FDF, and YMCA and YWCA.

If you are interested in a presentation from DetMedGud, please contact Project Manager Louise Heldgaard Bylund at louise.heldgaard@kfumspejderne.dk

LOUISE HELDGAARD BYLUND

Project Manager at DetMedGud

DetMedGud

Photo: Christian Blom-Bloch

Green Church

Green Church is a working group under the Danish Council of Churches that supports and motivates churches and church organizations to take responsibility for the climate and environmental challenges facing the world.

Learn more here

Or contact YMCA and YWCA’s network for the green agenda: groent@kfum-kfuk.dk

Climate, Hope, and Action in YMCA and YWCA

With faith and hope as our foundation, the Christian understanding of creation provides a strong basis for addressing the climate and sustainability crisis.

Christianity offers not only concern but also hope and inspiration for action. In light of YMCA and YWCA’s Vision 2025 and the growing climate anxiety among children and young people, the focus on strengthening their resilience and capacity for action depends on us working together. As a result, in 2023, the Board of Directors, led by an initiative from the Christianity Committee, decided that YMCA and YWCA would become a green church organization. A new network was established to drive this initiative forward.

Even in its early stages, the initiative has already resonated throughout the organization. In the autumn of 2023, YMCA and YWCA Aulum partnered with DanChurchAid to serve surplus food from the local supermarket to 85 guests

23 years old

We have a responsibility to address the issues in our society and create activities that support development in the right direction. This is supported by World YMCA's Vision 2030, which aims to empower young people to take action and create a fair, sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world where everyone can thrive in body, mind, and soul.

IDA KILDSGAARD LARSEN Chairperson of YMCA and YWCA’s Green Agenda Network

READ MORE ABOUT CLIMATE INITIATIVES AT YMCA AND YWCA

Briefly about Reconnect

Reconnect has been held once and has become a national offer with a local association as host. The course is for young people and is held over a weekend in a scenic area with room for peace and contemplation.

Reconnect – Finding Your Way Back to Nature and Faith

The Christianity Committee has developed a new course called Reconnect, aimed at young people who seek more knowledge about Christianity or perhaps need a little nudge to rediscover faith and spirituality as a source of richness and strength in their everyday lives.

The course also emphasizes the spirituality found in nature, with the aim of helping participants reconnect with both faith and nature.

26 years old

At KU, we see many young people seeking more knowledge about Christianity and faith, and we view this as one of our core tasks in the coming years. That’s why Reconnect will be a high priority for us in the years ahead.

A space has been created where we can have those conversations we don’t usually have in our everyday lives.

For me, it has been a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city.

23 years old

BENJAMIN BAUN

YMCA and YWCA Frederiksbjerg

ANNE HJUL LYBKE Chair of the Christianity Committee at YMCA and YWCA

EMILIE BACK

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus Midtby

29 years old

READ MORE ABOUT THE COURSE

Christianity in our organization

Christianity Materials

Faces of YMCA and YWCA Denmark

In 10 short videos, various volunteers share why they are involved in YMCA and YWCA. These videos give YMCA and YWCA’s Christian foundation a relatable and human face.

You Bet We’re Talking About It

A concept where young people learn how to be good hosts for existential conversations with other youth.

Stories in Sand

Stories in Sand is a new resource for telling Bible stories to children in an engaging and interactive way, using simple tools such as sand, wooden figures, and stones.

What’s the Point?

Five videos follow Clara, a 13-year-old, as she tries to figure out why different Bible stories matter and what we can learn from them.

Find More Inspiration

...in the selection of Christianity materials on the intranet, and dive into resources that can spark meaningful conversations about faith and doubt in your association.

Inspiration for Devotions

The Three Spaces

Get inspiration to work with the space of faith, the space of community, and the space of formation.

Climate, Hope, and Action

Responsibility and Hope

Get inspiration for devotions about sustainability, climate, and responsibility, based on UN Goals 12, 13, and 16.

From Words to Action

Here you will find ideas for activities that promote the green agenda in your association.

Find More Inspiration

...on Climate in YMCA and YWCA.

Festivals and Camps – Small Communities Within the Big Community

Every year, children and young people from across Denmark attend one of YMCA and YWCA’s many local camps or national festivals.

The National Committee for Festivals and Camps aims for participants to experience smaller communities within the larger one – a place where they can feel seen, be themselves, and also find space for reflection and deep conversations with others. The festivals and camps also aim to create lasting memories filled with confetti, song, music, and thrilling activities that leave a lasting impact on each participant’s heart.

Wonderful Days: Freedom and Epic Concerts

Wonderful Days is a week-long festival for young people aged 1318, organized by volunteers with events scheduled from morning to night.

The program ranges from quiet reflection to thrilling races and electrifying concerts! Participants have the freedom to dive into whichever activities appeal to them most, as the festival is designed to have a relaxed summer vibe, offering plenty of time to hang out with friends, both new and old. The festival welcomes youth from all over Denmark as well as international young people from YMCA communities worldwide.

YMCA and YWCA Kolding 16 years old

What I would highlight about Wonderful Days is especially the freedom. There’s plenty of time to walk around, explore, and try out the different activities, and you get to choose what you want to participate in.

My best experience here has been the concerts. Because I’ve never really been to concerts before back home in South Africa. So seeing the concerts here and the way they are hyped, makes you excited, even if you don’t know the language.

MARIA LØVLUND MANDSBERG

LEBO

YMCA South Africa

LEARN MORE ABOUT WONDERFUL DAYS

Photo: Daniel Roved Langgaard

Photo: Tobias Helms

Children’s Festival: The First Big Experience in YMCA

and YWCA

Every other year, YMCA and YWCA Denmark hosts a festival for its youngest members – the Children’s Festival. For many of the children, it is their first big event within YMCA and YWCA, designed specifically for them.

The festival is packed with fun activities like popcorn machines, bouncy castles, thrilling concerts, and confetti blasts, but it also offers space for meaningful conversations about life’s big questions, a global perspective, and time for child-friendly reflection. In 2024, the festival welcomed Ukrainian children who shared stories of finding hope and making new friends in a new country, even when life feels hopeless due to war and destruction.

The volunteers also focused on ensuring that every child felt seen by an adult before heading home, recognizing that closeness and a sense of security are essential when spending a whole weekend away from mom and dad.

We could hear from the parents afterward that one of the boys had talked non-stop and had been so happy. It seemed like it was a really big experience for them.

KARSTEN FYHN

Volunteer at Children’s Festival 2023 and 2024

YMCA and YWCA Ikast

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Treehouse: “More Than Just Climbing Trees”

At YMCA and YWCA, we may not be scouts, but we still offer our young members nature-rich and captivating experiences that transport them back to a time of climbing trees and building forts in the woods with friends.

However, this is a bit more advanced. With ropes secured around the waist, climbing gear in hand, and logs on shoulders, Treehouse is YMCA and YWCA’s version of treetop carpentry, where the roles of volunteer and participant merge. It’s about community, challenge, and adventure in a natural environment.

Building Treehouse is about much more than climbing trees. It’s a week-long camp where community is a priority, and new friendships are made. Even after six years of building Treehouse, I’m still amazed each time at how much we can accomplish in such a short period.

BENJAMIN ROSSEN-IVERSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus

Treehouse member since 2017 23 years old

LEARN MORE ABOUT TREEHOUSE

Efterskole Festival Creates New Learning Environments

Every year, boarding schools connected to YMCA and YWCA Denmark and their students gather for a major learning festival organized by volunteers, and the participant list always fills up quickly. Some students are already familiar with YMCA and YWCA, but for others, it’s their first encounter with the sense of community that emerges when over 100 volunteers come together to create new ways of learning.

Efterskole Festival was my first introduction to YMCA and YWCA. My biggest motivation for volunteering at the festival is definitely the social aspect. I’ve found a truly special community as a volunteer in YMCA and YWCA, one I haven’t experienced anywhere else. Plus, it’s amazing to be part of organizing such an incredible event.

MARIE BILDE JACOBSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus Volunteer at Efterskole Festival in ’21 and ’22 23 years old

LEARN MORE ABOUT EFTERSKOLE FESTIVAL

Photo: Celine Altena el. Charlotte Hyldgård Danielsen

The Family Festival Gave the Floor to the Children

As the name suggests, the Family Festival is an event for the whole family. It focuses on community – within each family, between families, and within the broader YMCA and YWCA community.

The festival is a special place where many families who may not have the opportunity to send their children to clubs or other YMCA and YWCA activities in their area get the chance to introduce their children to everything YMCA and YWCA stands for: a unique and meaningful community where safety and inclusivity are key.

At the 2023 festival, children took center stage when two curious Child Reporters from Aarhus Children’s Folk High School visited. They interviewed many children who shared their experiences from the festival.

Camps Create Joy and Lasting Holiday Memories

YMCA and YWCA camps come in many forms. There’s the Children and Grandparents Camp, Teen Summer Camp, Children’s Summer Camp, Hvideklit Family Camp, Autumn Camp, Remmerstrand Family Camp, and both local and national options – the list goes on. But all of them are fantastic examples of what a handful of dedicated volunteers can accomplish when they come together to create unforgettable holiday memories for children and young people.

“Why do you go to Hvideklit Family Camp?”

For me, it's both the close connection with the friends you come with and the broader sense of community.

YMCA and YWCA Silkeborg

42 years old

YMCA and YWCA Silkeborg

41 years old

It’s the combination of having great activities for both children and adults, while also having the opportunity to spend quality time with your own family.

It has become a tradition that offers experiences for the whole family. New connections are made, and old ones are maintained.

YMCA and YWCA Vejle

42 years old

YMCA and YWCA Kolding

40 years old

Seeing the joy in my children’s eyes as they experience the same sense of community I grew up with – then it all makes sense.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPS

Photo: Kristian M. Olsen

STINE DAMSGAARD MORTENSEN

CHRISTIAN DAMSGAARD MORTENSEN

MADS BALTZER KRISTENSEN

JANE STADEL HUMMELSHØJ

Create Amazing Festival Memories for Children and Youth

Attend a Festival

Wonderful Days

From July 7-12, 2025, the youth festival

Wonderful Days returns in full swing at Nøvlingskov Efterskole.

Efterskolefestival

Become a volunteer instructor for 680 boarding school students from April 14-16, 2025.

Børnefestival

After a successful event in Snejbjerg (Midtjylland), the Children’s Festival returns in spring 2025. The destination is yet to be decided.

Familiefestival

Join the Family Festival with your family or as a volunteer on November 16 in Aarhus.

Find New Volunteers

The Good Guide

A guide focused on outlining tasks, connecting with new volunteers, offering a warm welcome, and much more.

Treehouse

Embark on an adventure in the treetops, whether as a volunteer or participant – it doesn’t matter, as the roles blend together here.

The Short Guide

A concise and clear summary of the key points.

Sommerlejre

Volunteer at one of the many summer camps organized by local associations in the districts.

New Volunteer Brochure

A new brochure that shows how members can engage locally and nationally as volunteers with YMCA and YWCA.

Make Volunteering Attractive

A resource filled with tools and suggestions on how to make volunteering fun and meaningful at YMCA and YWCA.

Education and Development – A Place to Gain Knowledge and Inspiration

In recent years, new courses have been developed under the national committee for Education and Development, offering young volunteers the opportunity to gain knowledge and connect with others in the organization. Programs like Move, Talent Factory, and Change Agents are just some of the options available.

These courses focus on strengthening the courage and ability of young people to engage in both faith and civic life. Volunteers are introduced to inspiring talks, interactive workshops, and practical exercises, all designed to equip them with the skills they need to become strong, confident volunteer leaders. It’s a process that requires practice, resources, and motivation, but the reward is a deeper understanding of how to lead and make a difference.

Change Agents: Volunteering in Transformative Communities

As a Change Agent in YMCA and YWCA, young members have the opportunity to shape, drive, and bring fresh perspectives to the organization – precisely what’s needed to stay relevant for children and young people both now and in the future.

The roles vary depending on the needs of the associations, and while the name suggests a focus on 'change,' key themes also include '(personal) development,' 'engagement,' and 'initiative,' all rooted in the transformative communities that shape YMCA and YWCA.

YMCA and YWCA Silkeborg Change Agent in 2023

23 years old

The best part about being a Change Agent has been meeting children and young people around the country when I’ve visited YMCA and YWCA associations to record videos. I’ve been able to follow my own creative path and received feedback quickly, so I’ve learned a lot.

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus Change Agent in 2024

21 years old

As a Change Agent, young, unskilled, and inexperienced, you get the chance to enter a large organization and a big project where you feel that your contributions have value and impact.

MADS PETER BILDE

Photo: Christian Blom-Bloch

LEARN MORE HERE

MARIA NØRBY RASMUSSEN

Experiences Reach New Heights with Move

The Move leadership program offers young people a safe learning community where they can confidently take on new challenges and push beyond their comfort zones. These experiences are paired with theoretical learning, and by the end of the course, participants are equipped to apply their newfound knowledge and skills in their local associations.

ANNE HEBSGAARD

YMCA and YWCA Aulum

Move Participant 22/23 18 years old

Move has been an amazing experience for me – something I wouldn’t want to be without. I’ve made new friendships across the country, learned a lot about myself, and gained valuable insights. Move creates a space where you can be yourself, which becomes especially clear when the pressure is on, challenges arise, and you need the support of a friend.

Photo: Theresa Engelst Lassen, Move

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOVE

YMCA and YWCA at Folkemødet: Young Voices in the Debate

Folkemødet is an event that continues to attract more and more interest from our young members, and in 2024, the number of participants was higher than ever before. The purpose of attending Folkemødet is not only to broaden young people's horizons and increase their ability to take action in society but also to give them the confidence to stand up and speak out.

Being at Folkemødet with YMCA and YWCA was incredibly rewarding. I saw so many other members and volunteers engaging in all sorts of inspiring debates. One of the best parts for me was being there with some of our Ukrainian partners and witnessing their understanding and fascination with Folkemødet. It was a ten out of ten experience, and I’d definitely do it again.

Volunteer in the Ukraine Network

Participant at Folkemødet 2024

24 years old

Volunteer in the Ukraine Network

Participant at Folkemødet 2024

25 years old

Folkemødet opened my eyes to the fact that in Denmark there are thousands of associations with incredibly engaged volunteers working on important causes in their own ways. It was here I understood how YMCA and YWCA plays a role in civil society, contributing not only to individuals but also on a societal level.

On stage at Folkemødet 2024

f Thomas Østergaard, Lise Vognstoft Vad, Anne Simonsen, and Nadia Ahmed from the Palestine Network f Anne Sofie Hedegaard from the Christianity Committee f Rasmus Jeppesen, Simon Møller, Christian Nørgaard Henning, and Mads Isaksen from the Ukraine Network f Change Agents Ida Kildsgaard

Larsen and Sigrid Hjort on climate, faith, and doubt

Young People Prepared for Leadership Roles on the Board

More and more local associations are welcoming young members onto their boards, where they play a key role in shaping the organization’s direction. These young leaders receive ongoing support through events like the 'Board Network Day' and the 'New Chairperson Course,' helping them grow in their roles.

The most exciting part is definitely taking on responsibility, getting insight into how Denmark's association life works, and having the chance to make decisions and influence things myself. There are so many opportunities to help guide the direction of the association.

For Chairpersons and Boards

Join the annual Network and Inspiration Day for Boards – next session on May 10, 2025.

29 years old

I’m relatively new to YMCA and YWCA, first getting to know it in 2017 through Fællesklang Odense. I joined the Fællesklang committee to give back to the singers because I wanted to offer others what I had gained. That’s probably also why I ran for the board – to pass on the community and opportunities to others.

MADS LASSEN NIELSEN Chairperson of KFUM and KFUK in Roskilde

years old

ANNA SOFIE SEHESTED GEISLER

Vice Chairperson of YMCA and YWCA Odense

The Talent Factory – More Than Just Fun and Games

Talentfabrikken is a leadership course for young leaders aged 13-15. Here, participants are given the chance to lead others at an early age and are provided with practical tools for volunteering in children's clubs, camps, or other activities. The course aims to build participants' confidence in their abilities and empower them to take action.

Participant at Talentfabrikken 2024 14 years old

Talentfabrikken was an amazing experience where we had plenty of time to have fun, but also meaningful conversations and learned how to teach others. I think YMCA and YWCA did a great job giving us a few days to prepare to be leaders and get ready to run an activity at the Children's Festival. It was awesome, and I’m definitely ready to go again next time.

Volunteer at Talentfabrikken 2024 18 years old

It was so much fun being an instructor at the Talent Factory. You get to meet young people from all over the country, and it’s such a great community to be part of. Even though it was a busy weekend with a packed schedule, there was still plenty of time to talk and get to know each other.

ASTRID BREDTOFT HANSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aulum

LAURA LYNGE VINGBORG

YMCA and YWCA Roskilde

LEARN MORE ABOUT TALENTFABRIKKEN

Photo: Christian Blom-Bloch

Chair of DUF Draws on Her Extensive Experience from YMCA and YWCA

Christine Ravn Lund has been actively involved in YMCA and YWCA Denmark for many years. Recently, she has also served as the Chair of the Danish Youth Council (DUF), where she leverages her vast knowledge and experience from the association world to promote young people's participation in both associations and democracy.

YMCA and YWCA Amager Chair of DUF

29 years old

In association life, we experience everyday democracy firsthand, learning to engage and take responsibility for the collective. In all its diversity, it has made a huge difference in my life. That’s why I’m passionate about strengthening association communities. Every child and young person has the right to be part of a community.

Ways to Get Involved with DUF

Many young members of YMCA and YWCA are engaged with DUF in various ways. Here’s how you can become part of DUF:

f Courses, Networks, and Training

Keep an eye out for opportunities that suit you.

f Delegate Meetings

Apply to be part of YMCA and YWCA’s delegation to DUF’s Delegate Meetings.

f National Council

Sofie Puntervold from YMCA and YWCA

Copenhagen is YMCA and YWCA’s representative in the National Council of Children’s and Youth Organizations under DUF.

f Youth Delegates to the EU and UN

Submit an application when DUF seeks new youth delegates to the EU and UN, and help give Danish youth a voice in international decision-making.

f Folkemødet

Join when YMCA and YWCA participates in debates on DUF’s stage at Folkemødet and meet other youth organizations at the Association Gala.

CHRISTINE RAVN LUND

Photo: Christian Blom-Bloch

Train the Volunteers

Attend a Course

Folkemøde

Join YMCA and YWCA at Folkemødet from June 14-11, 2025.

Move

Leadership training for 15-19-year-olds.

Talent Factory

Leadership course for 13-15-year-olds. Held alongside the Children's Festival in spring 2024.

Change Agent

Apply to become a Change Agent in a local association and work on something you're passionate about.

DUF

The Danish Youth Council offers various courses, evening meetings, and workshops that might be relevant for you.

Learn More with Educational Materials

Aftryk (Imprints)

Inspirational material with short exercises that encourage volunteers to reflect on the impact they make on children and youth.

Get a Visit from the Association

Palestine Network

Email palaestina@kfum-kfuk.dk to arrange for the Palestine Network to visit your local association and give a presentation on the conflict in Palestine and Israel.

Picture Cards

A set of cards with images that can help spark ideas for evaluations, value clarification, and competence development.

Board Videos

Need inspiration or tips for your board work? Watch a series of unique videos produced for YMCA and YWCA.

Wonderful Days

Email hs@kfum-kfuk.dk to arrange for the chairperson of Wonderful Days to give a presentation about the festival at your local association.

Idea Development

Access a slideshow full of exercises to help generate ideas for activities or events.

Baptism and Leadership

Email ku@kfum-kfuk.dk to invite the Christianity Committee to hold an evening focused on baptism and leadership.

Global Communities: “We Embrace the World”

Every year, many young members experience the vast community of YMCA and YWCA through YMCA and YWCA Denmarks numerous trips abroad. However, the International Committee, Global Communities, is not only focused on sending young people out into the world; they also aim to bring the world closer to children and young people here at home.

This is achieved through visits from international guests from YMCA and YWCA Denmarks partner countries and other YMCAs worldwide. With their vision, "We Embrace the World," Global Communities and its working groups strive to ensure that children and young people feel they are making a difference not only locally but also internationally.

Palestine: A Crucial Voice in the Debate

For over 25 years, the Palestine Network has worked to bring understanding, nuance, and perspective to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They have done this by organizing events in Denmark and arranging trips for young people to experience the conflict firsthand. While these trips have been paused since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, the work of the Palestine Network continues.

Even though the conflict and war may seem hopeless and without a clear solution to many, the effort to foster dialogue and understanding, both here in Denmark and globally, has become more important than ever.

Why is the work of the Palestine Network and YMCA and YWCA

Denmark Palestine so important, even if there seems to be no solution? Because it’s essential that Palestinian farmers, Israeli soldiers, Jews in traditional attire, and Muslims at Friday prayers are seen as individuals and not just statistics in a fact box. Because it’s incredibly hard to stay angry at people when you know and understand their stories. And because it’s crucial to hold onto the hope that Palestinians and Israelis can one day live side by side, so the next generation still has something to fight for.

f Read more about Nikolaj S. Søgaards

Official Statements from the Palestine Network

The network has continuously reached out to the Danish government regarding their stance on the war and the conflict in Israel/ Palestine.

You can read their official statements under ‘Our Position’

You can also follow the network’s work on instagram @palaestinanetvaerket

Photo:

NIKOLAJ SØRVAD SØGAARD

Global Volunteers Make a Difference in the World and Push Their Own Boundaries

Through YMCA and YWCA Denmarks extensive network of international YMCA and YWCA partners, young people have, for many years, had the opportunity to live abroad for up to six months as volunteers, also known as ‘Global Volunteers.’ During this time, they become part of the social and practical work of the local associations. Depending on the destination, tasks can range from teaching children and youth or working in after-school programs, to running hostels or health centers for the local community. We’ve gathered reflections from former Global Volunteers over the years:

Jeppe and Caroline

Global Volunteers in South Africa

One of the most impactful things for us was realizing that how much you can give to others doesn’t depend on how much you have or own. The local volunteers we worked with dedicated a lot of their time to YMCA programs, even though they didn’t receive much for it and didn’t own much themselves.

I’ve improved my language and communication skills, and I’ve built a network of wonderful people I look forward to visiting again. And last but not least, I’ve gotten to know an amazing country with beautiful cities and nature!

2023

The connection you build with the children is truly unique. It’s incredible to come to a completely different part of the world and feel like you’re making a difference in a child’s life. Additionally, experiencing the stark contrast between rich and poor in a country like Cambodia is truly eye-opening.

JEPPE OG CAROLINE

HANNAH ELVSTRØM-VIETH

Global Volunteer in Switzerland

2020

LEA NEES

Global Volunteer in Cambodia

2018

LEARN MORE ABOUT GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS

Photo: Jeppe og Caroline

Ukraine Network Seeks Funding

The Ukraine Network has spent the past six months working on a major funding application with CISU, alongside our partners in YMCA Lviv. Together, they plan to create activities for young volunteers affected by the war and for veterans. The aim is to strengthen their capacity for action through training, workshops, youth-led campaigns, and rehabilitation programs.

Learn more about the network

Contact the network at: ukraine@kfum-kfuk.dk

Ukraine Partnership Grows

YMCA Ukraine is one of YMCA and YWCA Denmarks closest international partners, and this relationship has only grown stronger and more essential in the wake of Russia’s invasion, which has devastated the country since February 2022.

In addition to the national fundraising efforts – which, as of 2024, have raised over 690,000 DKK since the invasion – the Children’s Festival 2024 held its own fundraiser for YMCA Lviv, collecting nearly 50,000 DKK.

The partnership is set to expand further, thanks to a resolution passed at the 2022 National Assembly, and a new working group under Global Communities, called the Ukraine Network, has been formed. However, the work has been ongoing for some time – volunteers have made multiple trips, delivering essential aid via sponsored buses. In 2023, YMCA and YWCA District Aarhus celebrated their 10-year partnership with YMCA Lviv through the Local2Local project.

32 years old

Since the last National Assembly, YMCA and YWCA have fully embraced our partnership with YMCA Ukraine. This is important not only for Ukrainian children and young people, but also for Danish youth, who can see that it’s possible to make a real, positive impact in a situation that’s otherwise often portrayed negatively in the media.

RASMUS JEPPESEN

Volunteer in the Ukraine Network

The Global Becomes Relevant

Locally

Since 2013, YMCA and YWCA District Aarhus has been involved in the Global Communities project Local2Local, establishing partnerships with YMCA associations in Lviv and Lutsk, Ukraine.

Now, the idea of global-local collaboration has taken root throughout the organization. In September 2024, YMCA and YWCA Aulum made their first trip to YMCA Sofia in Bulgaria, taking the initial steps toward building a cross-border partnership. The aim of the project is not only mutual inspiration and relationship-building but also the exchange of ideas and participation in each other’s camps and festivals.

55 years old

Through Y’s Men’s international education program, we hosted a young woman from YMCA Sofia for an evening of shared meals and fellowship. She was so enthusiastic and impressed by all the activities we have, and especially by all the volunteers, that she asked if we’d be interested in forming a partnership. We thought it sounded incredibly exciting. The collaboration has just begun, but we hope it will grow into a strong relationship, with opportunities for leadership training, inspiration, and exchange in the future.

The trip to Bulgaria was an eye-opener. The way they run their club and support the children is very different from Denmark. I learned a lot from them about adapting programs to individual needs, and I hope we can pass that knowledge on to other leaders.

18 years old

TORKILD KILDSGAARD LARSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aulum

ALBERTE KILDSGAARD LARSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aulum

LEARN MORE ABOUT OM LOCAL2LOCAL

Photo: Albert Kildsgaard Larsen

Copenhagen Camp: A Building Project Became an Annual Global Summer Camp

Since 2019, the YMCA Amager association has transformed into an international hostel each summer, hosting a summer camp known as Copenhagen Camp for members over 18 years old.

What started as a spontaneous invitation to help with a building project at the association quickly became a popular event, attracting participants from around the world, including Ukraine and Hong Kong. After the pandemic, the camp only had Danish attendees, but YMCA Amager saw an opportunity through the Global Ambassadors program’s funding pool. This new support revitalized the camp, and international friends once again joined from across the globe.

Global Ambassadors Program

This program was an initiative connected to the World YMCA’s World Council meeting in Aarhus in 2022, aimed at creating global initiatives locally.

42 years old

In addition to painting the kitchen and building a bar, we’ve received a lot of love in return. Nazar from Ukraine, for example, has attended several times and has become a friend of the house. He was 18 during our first camp in 2019, and that summer, he saw a rainbow flag for the first time. This year, Nazar told me how much that moment has meant to him. Our little camp in Copenhagen has become part of his journey in finding himself and coming out. It feels incredibly meaningful.

The program, funded by CISU, provided various pools of resources that Danish associations could apply for to develop international projects.

PETER VITTRUP ANDERSEN YMCA and YWCA Amager

Volunteer at Copenhagen Camp 2019-2024

MORE ABOUT COPENHAGEN CAMP

Photo: Marta Huretska, YMCA Ukraine

Global Journeys Take the Boarding School Experience Abroad

As part of the Global Communities travel program, there are trips specifically designed for boarding school students, known as Efterskolerejser. These trips allow boarding schools affiliated with YMCA and YWCA Denmark to offer their students a unique travel experience, taking the close-knit boarding school community out into the wider world.

Most recently, Nøvlingskov Efterskole traveled with YMCA and YWCA Denmark's School Programme to Spitak, Armenia, where they helped clean storm drains and do gardening work for YMCA Spitak, while also exploring the local area and spending time with Armenian youth. Previous trips have included destinations like Oslo, Northern Ireland, Cambodia, and more.

To put it simply, it’s amazing to give young people the experience that the rest of the world isn’t as far away as it sometimes feels. Through Efterskolerejser, some students meet other young people from around the world for the first time, and for a short while, they share in their daily lives, challenges, joys, and experiences. I genuinely believe we’re contributing valuable input to young people’s development.

25 years old

JESPER MARK MOGENSEN

YMCA and YWCA Aarhus Midtby

Photo: Efterskolerejser Oslo

Globetrotters: Curious About the Unknown

Globetrotter is an international course designed for young people aged 16-19 who are eager to explore the world and experience different cultures.

On these trips, where the destination is often a surprise, participants immerse themselves in the local community and culture. With connections to YMCA/YWCA associations worldwide, participants are invited to unique experiences and are encouraged to embrace intercultural understanding by staying open and curious about the unknown.

Globetrotter trips give participants the chance to get to know themselves and their fellow travelers on a deeper level. Along with discovering new places, they experience new cultures. Through collaborations with the local YMCA and YWCA at each destination, we ensure the trips provide meaningful interactions with other young people, giving participants a chance to connect with peers from around the world.

KATRINE KRATH PEDERSEN

YMCA and YWCA Hammerum

Participant on Globetrotter trip to Greece, 2022 18 years old

YMCA and YWCA Timring

Globetrotter Trip Leader 21 years old

Beyond being an amazing trip filled with laughter and incredible experiences, Globetrotter challenged me in ways that pushed my limits and helped me learn more about myself. On top of that, we Danish participants developed an amazing and unique bond, something I never expected to happen so quickly – this was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

LINE LUND VINGBORG

Photo: Globetrotter, Island

Explore the World

Ukraine

Support YMCA and YWCA Denmark’s Fundraiser for Ukraine

Contribute to the fundraiser by transferring any amount via MobilePay to 219848. Your donation makes a significant difference to YMCA Ukraine.

Welcome Refugees

The Danish Youth Council (DUF) and the Danish Refugee Council Youth have created seven helpful tips for inviting refugee children and youth into association communities.

Welcome Poster

If you’d like to invite Ukrainians to join, you can use a welcome poster in English, Ukrainian, and Danish.

Ukraine Network

Contact the Ukraine Network if you want to learn more about how you can get involved.

Travel Abroad with YMCA and YWCA

Experience YMCA as a Global Volunteer

Spend three to six months volunteering at a YMCA in another country.

Efterskolerejser (YMCA and YWCA

Denmark’s School Programme)

If you’re interested in creating memorable journeys for boarding school students, become a volunteer with Efterskolerejser.

Globetrotter

Travel with Globetrotter and experience a unique journey, immersing yourself in culture and people, perhaps in an unfamiliar country with Project Unknown.

Palestine

Trips to Palestine are currently on hold due to the conflict. However, you can still engage and learn more about the situation.

12 Years of Big Decisions in the National Board

Photo: Jørgen Kvist

Since 2012, when Vision 2025 was adopted, the Executive Board has been composed of numerous passionate individuals, all contributing to shaping the direction of YMCA and YWCA Denmark.

The work typically takes place around a table, filled with dialogue and the sharing of diverse perspectives. However, maintaining an overview and setting the right strategy requires careful exercises and processes to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met.

Six different National Boards have led the organization during this period, making a wide range of decisions, both large and small. New activities have emerged and grown. One particularly successful initiative has been the focus on music and singing, which over the past 10 years has spread across the country, bringing many more members into the organization than anyone had hoped. Other decisions have launched major projects like Children’s Folk High Schools and Fair Houses, which continue to expand and establish themselves nationwide. Local associations have also introduced new formats, including volleyball clubs, board game cafés, non-profit cafés, and children’s project workshops, among others.

This growth has been significant, driven not only by a strong Executive Board but also by a strong culture of volunteerism within the organization. This culture was on full display when YMCA and YWCA hosted the World YMCA’s World Council, welcoming over 1,100 guests from 50 countries around the world.

Photo Magnus Najbjerg, Christian Blom-Bloch

og Daniel Roved Langgaard

National Board 2014

National Board 2016

The work of the National Board spans many different projects and considerations at various levels, and the solutions are not always obvious. It requires a board and leadership that are willing to take risks and sometimes go against the grain to achieve what we promised ourselves in 2012:

Now, the time has come for us as an organization to look back, reflect on what we’ve learned, and carry those experiences forward into a new vision that will continue to meet the needs of children and young people, both now and in the future.

National Board 2018

National Board 2020

National Board 2022

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CURRENT NATIONAL BOARD

Comment from the National Board: “Looking Ahead to a New Vision”

Vision 2025 put into words a dream for the future of YMCA and YWCA. Now, as we approach that future, we have the opportunity to reflect on whether this dream has become a reality.

As this report shows, Vision 2025 has provided a clear direction for YMCA and YWCA, serving as the foundation for many impactful initiatives since 2012. We can be proud of the progress we’ve achieved together. This strong foundation now gives us the momentum to look ahead and shape a new vision, one that will hopefully be just as meaningful for future generations of children and young people.

The National Board of YMCA and YWCA Denmark Martin Hejlskov Thomsen and Camilla Bøgelund

Photo: Daniel Roved Langgaard