For a long time, operations in the Hochland youth settlement have only been limited.
In an interview with our newspaper, head Roland Herzog is cautiously optimistic.
Mr. Herzog, how do we have to imagine a working day in the youth settlement at the moment?
Herzog
: The building services department is currently busy doing some repairs that are due.
An administrative colleague is employed for a few hours a week to take care of finances and personnel.
My management colleague Robert Wenzelewski and the pedagogical team are heavily involved in online topics, for example those relating to the Catholic Foundation University in Munich, as well as further training for volunteers and a few professional orientation measures - everything has been switched to digital.
I look after the reception for two or three hours a day, so I clarify inquiries, make appointments for the next year and process cancellations.
And how is the Corona patient youth settlement?
Herzog
: Basically we are cautiously optimistic: The youth settlement will survive the year 2021.
Due to our legal form as a registered association, we were able to take advantage of the state bridging aid in November and December.
That helped us just as much as the short-time work and our highly flexible employees.
It wouldn't work without her.
So we have overcome the last few months and, even if accommodation is impossible, we would survive the next few months.
Which events have been possible in the past few months?
Herzog
: When the incidence was below 100 before the third wave, we had some small vocational training measures.
On the one hand, as the organizer, we were able to hold photo seminars for full-time professionals.
In addition, before Easter we had guests here who completed a professional training measure, a gestalt therapy training, and whom we accommodated in single rooms for a few days.
Unfortunately, we haven't seen children and young people - our original target group - for a long time.
Due to the ominous incidence number of 100, below and above which relaxations or restrictions arise, it is difficult to plan for the long term, right?
Herzog
: Exactly.
That is the crux.
I just had an inquiry from an institute that would like to carry out a further training measure with a final examination.
That is also possible with an incidence in excess of 100.
This is where we come into play because we have appropriately large rooms with ventilation systems including filters.
Even a group of 15 to 20 people who are present during the day - i.e. without an overnight stay - can comply with all hygiene measures.
We are acting like a school at the moment.
Is the pandemic forcing you to be extra creative and come up with new ideas?
duke
: This is less our art than that of those who ask us. They must have us on their radar as a possible location for their event, where their measures can take place in compliance with the applicable hygiene regulations. But that does not mean that everything is feasible. Of course, we have to weigh up whether the respective event is economical for us. There is no point in providing staff for breakfast, lunch and dinner for five guests. But to come back to your question: What we have now mastered very well is reading, interpreting and interpreting legal texts several times a week and, if necessary, asking questions if we are unsure. By the way, the cooperation with the district office works very well here.Business developer Andreas Ross gives us timely and helpful information by email or phone.
The youth settlement has a good reputation, far beyond the district boundaries. It is also thanks to your work that you are being asked for as a seminar and training facility even during the pandemic.
Herzog
: That often happens through personal relationships.
Many people know us because they were here as young people or have brought their children to us before.
Their parents, who work in the vocational development center, for example, remember us and our possibilities.
Otherwise it would be difficult.
It would not work just through our online presence on various channels.
It seems like the vaccination campaign is finally taking off. The state government has announced easing for incidences below 100 from May 21. How quickly could the Hochland youth settlement return to its entire core business, i.e. holiday camps, camping and overnight stays?
Herzog
: We are well prepared and could open tomorrow. This is our message. We are also already preparing the holiday care and can offer it at short notice as soon as possible. If the incidence allows, we will be opening our log cabins as holiday apartments, so to speak, from May 21st. We still lack the hygienic framework for the campsite. Here we would actually like to be there again for child and youth work - the children need nature and freedom after the homeschooling phase. We tend not to see classic camping.
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