Environmental education programme
The school farm programme of the VNP Stiftung Naturschutzpark is aimed at 3rd to 6th grade school classes. The stay lasts 5 days from Monday to Friday.
This is what children say
Work Groups
The school classes are divided into small groups of 4 to 5 pupils who go through the different work areas as a fixed team for the duration of their stay.
Under supervision and depending on the weather and season, the work groups take on practical tasks in the stable, in the field, in the garden, in the forest, in the meadow, at the bee fence and in the farm kitchen.
This involves “real” work, such as feeding, mucking out, planting, harvesting, cooking and baking.
Free time
In addition to work, the programme naturally also offers activities in class, such as campfires and baking bread on sticks, a horse-drawn carriage ride or a night hike. In the free time, the large natural garden invites you to play and romp around.
The accommodation in Wilsede
Surrounded by old oak trees, the buildings of the 600-year-old Hillmershof are located in the middle of extensive heath, farmland and woodland.
The old thatched farmhouse has room for 31 guests:
- one 8-bed room
- two 6-bed rooms
- two 4-bed rooms
- two rooms for teachers
Each room has its own bathroom with shower.
In addition
- kitchen
- lounge
- dining room.
Meals
Meals are prepared by one of the work groups together with a housekeeper in the courtyard kitchen.
Table service and dishwashing are done alternately by the work groups.
Arrival and departure
The village of Wilsede is located in the middle of the Lüneburger Heide nature reserve and can only be reached on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage. Access for private cars and buses is not permitted.
School classes arrive and depart on foot from the Oberhaverbeck, Döhle or Undeloh hikers’ car parks. A shuttle service is available for luggage.
Costs
Environmental education is a valuable task – and it has its price:
High-quality catering: We place great importance on providing the children with healthy, regional and seasonal food and teaching them about a conscious and sustainable diet.
Individual care: Our educational work takes place in small groups and is therefore particularly care and staff-intensive. We also ensure that only one class at a time is on the school farm – for an undisturbed learning experience.
Increased costs: The cost of energy and food has also been rising in the Lüneburg Heath for years. We have kept prices constant for over eight years.
In order to maintain our high quality standards, we are forced to adjust the participant fee:
From 1 January 2025, the costs for a stay of 5 days (4 nights/all meals) are 255,00 € per person (1st supervisor free of charge, 2nd supervisor pays 50%, each additional supervisor pays the full price) including programme, meals and accommodation.
Many foundations in Lower Saxony and Hamburg award scholarships to school classes.
Scholarship opportunities
- school classes from Hamburg:
Alfred-Toepfer-Stiftung F.V.S. - school classes from Lower Saxony
Friedrich-Vorwerk-Stiftung
Many service clubs such as Lions or Rotary clubs also sponsor stays. Ask about this in your region.
Our animals
What would a farm be without animals! A wide variety of animal inhabitants live on the Hillmershof. Here is a small introduction:
