ABOUT US

Sounds just great! And how did you come up with this simply good idea back then?

For myself, sports have always been more than just a daily fun factor. The daily challenge was an outlet and support for me. As a child and teenager I had not only rosy times, and especially then sport, I played soccer, was indispensable. At the same time, team sports enabled me to make a lot of social contacts, some of which I have managed to maintain to this day. Many of my childhood friends did not choose such a healthy, productive way to deal with problems, and it hurts me to know that. I was just always very athletic and the successes gave me an extreme amount. Also, I have been able to develop many positive qualities in sports, such as. the fighter mentality and discipline that accompany me to this day, and enable me to follow my path. The idea of Outdoor Kids was ultimately born out of the desire to enable as many children as possible to follow a similar path.

What was actually the very first Outdoor Kids course, and how did it come about?

The first course started in 2016 (Ruffle your hair and sigh nostalgically). I already had the idea for the company in my head, but at the time I was still a driver for Foodora, the food delivery company. My shift was over and I went to the bridge playground to address a few interested parents, albeit in a Foodora T-shirt and carrying this huge bag. I just wanted to jump in at the deep end, but not necessarily have people see directly that I work for Foodora. So I hid the bag and my bike behind bushes at the edge of the park.

So that’s the vision? The goal you’re working toward?

That we’re working toward, yes. The offer should grow, develop further. We can only reach more children if we do not stand still, do not become sluggish, there should always be a fresh wind blowing. This is important in general, for work with children, and also the most beautiful characteristic of children themselves: daring to take creative, courageous steps. Stagnation is regression, so they say, and I find that quite apt. I also always convey this

my team and realize them in exchange with my cooperation partners. the core competence of my project is a creative one, not an administrative one. It’s an interpersonal skill.

We want to make the offer to as many children as possible. Increasingly, children from socially weaker families are also to be taken into account, because it is precisely in this context that sport, health and care are urgently needed. We have contact with charity organizations like ‘Mainlichtblick’ and we want to go further in this direction. In the future, 1% of annual sales will go to social projects for children. This is an important part of our identity. What makes me really happy is that as we grow, our social impact grows with us.

If you think of your journey as the founder of Outdoor Kids like a sports competition, where are you right now?

I would say first half of the second half. It’s an exciting phase in which a lot is happening, also for me personally. The game time is running, and there are always moments when I have to change my tactics, and those of the team. Of course, it’s not only crucial that I myself am good and know what I’m doing, but every individual in the team has to be good and know their job. Each and every one of them must be dedicated and joyful. That’s how growth works for us.

We have achieved a certain level of regional recognition, with our name and our program, but nothing can be taken for granted yet. Every day of our project demands attention, organizational skills, motivation. But honestly, we’re doing all of that pretty well right now. At the moment I feel myself and my team invincible until the final whistle! (Laughs in a relaxed manner.)