Cooltour – Better than Holidays
Cooltour is a summer camp for children and young people with and without disabilities between the ages of 9 to 18. Over the span of eight days, they experience a varied programme that meets their needs. The focus is on shared experiences, fun and living together. They attend a variety of courses - from spray painting and street dance to cooking - and realise that people with and without disabilities actually have more in common than separates them.
The inclusive holiday camp began in 2009 in cooperation with national and regional partners from the youth, cultural, health and social sectors. Since then, around 80 children and young people with and without disabilities have taken part in the summer camp every year. In an informal setting, they learn to act in a self-determined, independent and responsible manner and realise the added value that diversity and inclusion bring.
Three qualitative studies by the Lucerne School of Social Work (HSLU) were able to show that Cooltour participation has positive long-term effects on the children's and youth’s social, as well as personal skills, tolerance and self-determination. The positive feedback from the participants and their parents, also makes it clear what an important and formative influence Cooltour has.
Cooltour is listed in the action plan of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a good practice example from the field of leisure. Furthermore, the project was awarded the „PrixPrintemps“ in 2016 and on top of that received the audience award at the ceremony.
Registration Cooltour 2025 (in German)
Registration for the Cooltour 2025 is opened. You can register here.
General regulations and instructions
We search for: Volunteers with and without disabilities
To support the participating children and adolescents as well as help with the infrastructure, we are searching for young and motivated volunteers with and without disabilities.
For more information or applications, you can directly contact our project manager, Fabienne Marques, per e-mail or telephone.
Requirements
To apply as a volunteer, you should fulfill these requirements:
- You enjoy doing things with children and young people
- You like to approach people openly
- You take on responsibility
- You like to structure things
- You feel comfortable in a lively environment
- camp leadership experience is welcomed
- minimum age of 17
Our offer
We can offer you the following:
- Free food and accomodation
- Consideration of your preference for course guidance
- Covered travelling expenses
- Confirmation for the voluntary work
- A unique and inclusive experience as well as interesting people
Sponsors & Partners
We would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their support of the Cooltour inclusion project:
