Dear parents,
In the following you will find information regarding your child’s stay at Summer School 2025. This information applies to all programmes and age levels.
Start and end time
The Summer School starts on Wednesday 9 July 2025 and ends on Friday 25 July 2025.
We prefer not to make exceptions to the Summer School start and end times, as it is important that everyone – both students and employees – get off to a good start on 10 July. The actual teaching will start on 11 July.
Transport on arrival at the Summer School
At the start of the Summer School there are the following arrival options:
- Own transport
You drop your child off at the Summer School between 15.00 – 17.00. - Bus transport from Copenhagen
It is possible to purchase a ticket for bus transport from Copenhagen to the schools from Willemoes Bus A/S. Students should meet at Ingerslevsgade at Copenhagen Central Station between 12.30 and 13.30. The buses depart at 13.30.
Bus tickets must be purchased before 14 June 2025. Find info on how to buy tickets below. - Public transport
We encourage you to purchase train and seat tickets in advance for both arrival and departure days. Tickets and seat tickets can be purchased and received as a pdf at www.rejseplanen.dk.
Buy a busticket
- Price
Single ticket: 395,-
Return ticket: 790,- - How to pay
The buses are owned by Willemoes Bus A/S, and payment is therefore made directly to the company by transferring to:
Fynske Bank
Reg. no.: 0815
Account no.: 815 97 12398
IBAN no: DK2308158159712398
SWIFT code: VESBDK22
IMPORTANT: Payment costs are NOT included in the ticket price. Therefore, you must add your transfer costs to the ticket price when transferring the amount. - Registration
Once the money has been paid, please send an email to lene@haarby.dk with the following information:
– Full name of the student
– Phone number of contact person
– Which school the student will be attending
– Final destination (Copenhagen/Ingerslevgade or Copenhagen Airport) - Terms and conditions
There is a 14-day right of cancellation on the purchase of the bus tickets.
Willemoes provides a confirmation on the enrolment, but cannot provide it on the actual payment.
Transport at the end of the Summer School
At the end of the Summer School there are the following departure options:
- Own transport
You pick up your child at the Summer School yourself. Times will be announced later. - Bus transport to Copenhagen
Students who have pre-booked bus transport with Willemoes Bus A/S will be driven to Copenhagen, where they can be picked up at Ingerslevsgade at Copenhagen Central Station at approximately 17:30. - Bus transport to Copenhagen Airport
Students who have pre-booked bus transport with Willemoes BUS A/S will be driven to Copenhagen Airport. The bus will arrive at the airport at approximately 17.10.
Note: Students must be at least 15 years old to be dropped off at the airport. - Public transport
We encourage you to purchase train and seat tickets in advance for both arrival and departure days. Tickets and seat tickets can be purchased and received as a pdf at www.rejseplanen.dk.
Payment deadlines
- Rate 1: Payable no later than 14 days after enrolment.
- Rate 2: Payable no later than 14 February 2025*.
Payment is made via this link. Remember to log in before you pay.
*If you register your child after 14 February, you will receive an email with information.
Confirmation
The confirmation will be held on Friday 25 July at 10:30 in Brahetrolleborg Castle Church.
Parents of students in the confirmation class at Bernstorffsminde will have the opportunity to help their child get dressed from 8.30am on the day. The confirmands will be offered transport in a group with minibuses to Brahetrolleborg Church.
The families decide whether they want to return to the end at Bernstorffsminde or go directly to the confirmation party.
Balle Musik- og Idrætsefterskole
Danish language and culture track (10-13 years).
Contact information
Balle Musik- og Idrætsefterskole
Ballevej 57
7182 Bredsten
Contact department managers (to be answered from 9-25 July):
Tel: +45 53508395
E-mail: balle@danes.dk
The department management in 2025 consists of Amandas Uhd and Trine Jakobsen
Bernstorffsminde Efterskole
Danish language and culture track (14-15 years).
Confirmation track.
Contact information
Bernstorffsminde Efterskole
Bernstorffsminde 4
5600 Faaborg
Contact department managers (to be answered from 9-25 July):
Tel: +45 31382017
Tel: +45 31392884
E-mail: bern@danes.dk
The department management in 2025 consists of Jacob Andresen and Julie Strandby
Hjemly Idrætsefterskole
Danish language and culture track (16-17 years).
Returning-to-Denmark track.
Grade 9 Graduation Certificate track.
Contact information
Hjemly Idrætsefterskole
Assensvej 154
5750 Ringe
Contact department managers (to be answered from 9-25 July):
Tel: +45 31380768
Tel: +45 31358334
E-mail: hjem@danes.dk
The department management in 2025 consists of Signe Skøt and Lars Ferre
It will be possible to contact the head of department at each school during the Summer School (from 9 July to 25 July 2025.)
Please leave a message, send an SMS or email and ask to be contacted. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Summer school secretariat
The office is open on weekdays between 9.00 and 16.00.
Manager Jan L. Mikkelsen can be contacted outside opening hours.
Packing list
Remember to label all belongings with the student’s name!
We encourage the child to participate in packing their own belongings so they know what they are bringing to the Danish Summer School.
Clothing and footwear
- Clothing for both cold and warm weather
- Outdoor shoes/sturdy footwear
- Warm and windproof outerwear
- Rainwear
- Sportswear and sports shoes for both indoor and outdoor use
- Swimwear and a bath towel (regular towels should not be brought)
- Pajamas
- Laundry bag (max. 20×30 cm) for socks and underwear
- Costume for the theme party (invitation will be sent at the end of May)
Personal items
- Toiletries
- Any necessary medication
- European Health Insurance Card (for EU citizens)
- Copy of passport
Electronics and school supplies
- Laptop or tablet with charger and adapter for Danish outlets if necessary
- Headphones that fit the student’s laptop/tablet
- Mobile phone and charger
- Alarm clock (mobile phones cannot be used as alarm clocks)
- Pencil case (e.g., pencils, sharpener, markers, colored pencils, ruler, scissors, eraser, and glue stick)
Miscellaneous
- Daypack/backpack
- Water bottle (for environmental reasons, bottled water in plastic containers is not provided)
- Padlock for a locker (only for students at Balle Musik- og Idrætsefterskole and Bernstorffsminde Efterskole)
Cleaning and laundry
To maintain a high standard of hygiene, time is allocated for daily cleaning of both private rooms and common areas under the supervision of the assigned staff.
Laundry facilities are available at all Summer School locations. However, we still encourage students to bring enough clean clothes for all types of weather so that they only need to do laundry a few times. The Summer School staff will, of course, assist with arranging laundry when needed.
Activities
In the morning, afternoon, and evening, we offer a variety of exciting leisure activities.
These activities are planned to ensure that students have the opportunity to try different activities throughout Summer School. Students will, among other things, have access to the sports hall, and if the weather permits, we may organize a water fight or similar outdoor activitie
Excursions
All students at Summer School will go on an excursion.
- Students aged 10-13 will visit Djurs Sommerland.
- Students aged 14-17 will visit Copenhagen and Tivoli.
Students are responsible for keeping track of their own valuables.
For more details, please see the section “Pocket money”.
Pocket money
As part of the Summer School participation fee, 200 DKK is included for use in the school’s cashless kiosk, where students can buy candy, soft drinks, and chips.
It is not possible to deposit additional money into a pocket money account. If a student needs extra money, they must bring it in cash.
For excursions, we recommend that students bring their own pocket money, as the 200 DKK can only be used in the school’s kiosk.
Insurance and valuables
We strongly recommend that you take out insurance to cover your child’s stay at Summer School, including potential theft, illness, and medical or hospital visits.
Valuables such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, cash, and bank cards are brought at the student’s own risk. The Danish Summer School’s insurance does not cover personal belongings.
All larger items should be clearly labeled with the student’s full name (not just initials), including clothing, shoes, pencil cases, glasses cases, tablets/computers, mobile phones, wallets, bath towels, etc. This helps prevent items from being lost and left unidentified in the lost-and-found.
We encourage all students to bring a keyhanger.
Students at Balle Musik- og Idrætsefterskole and Bernstorffsminde Efterskole should also bring a small padlock for their locker or suitcase, as lockers at these locations cannot be locked otherwise.
First aid
Before The Danish Summer School begins, we organize a first aid course for all our staff to ensure they are prepared to handle any emergency situations.
Fire drill
Within the first few days of Summer School, a fire drill will be conducted to ensure that all students know what to do in case of a fire alarm. The drill will be carried out by the department heads at each school, following the official guidelines from the authorities.
The track Danish language and culture
Danish lessons at the Summer School
At the Summer School, we offer Danish lessons at different levels.
There are approximately 12-15 students in each class. The students in each class are at roughly the same level. At the Summer School, we aim for a form of teaching where students draw on each other’s expertise and can take advantage of the dynamics of a larger group to familiarise themselves with pair and group work and practice debating, including arguing for their own opinions.
Division by Danish level and language screening
At the Summer School, we have 10 different levels of Danish. This ensures that all students receive instruction that corresponds to their level. Upon enrolment at the Summer School, students are divided according to the three main levels. In the spring, a test is sent out for the students to complete on their own. Based on the test, students are placed in the 10 different levels.
Students who already attend our online classes are typically not tested, as we already know their level.
75 lessons in 17 days
The programme includes approximately 75 lessons at all levels. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes. There will be an alternation between theoretical lessons, activities and excursions in the local area or further afield. A framework and day programme for your child’s specific Summer School will be announced.
Is your child ready for summer school?
Our staff are skilled and committed educators who deliver qualified and creative teaching. We place great emphasis on ensuring that students experience differentiated and varied teaching with an emphasis on movement in the classroom. All situations are potential learning situations, which is why many of our students make great linguistic – as well as personal – progress during the Summer School.
It is a 17-day school programme with six Danish lessons every day. It is therefore essential that students have the motivation and expectations to improve their Danish language skills. We expect the students to want to socialise with other children and contribute to a good and rewarding stay for everyone. We encourage you to talk to your children about the purpose and expectations of their stay. For many children born abroad, the purpose is to strengthen their sense of belonging to Denmark. In our experience, the Summer School programme contributes positively to this.
Balle Musik- og Idrætsefterskole
Danish Language and Culture (Ages 10-13)
Bernstorffsminde Efterskole
Danish Language and Culture (Ages 14-15)
Confirmation
Hjemly Idrætsefterskole
Danish Language and Culture (Ages 16-17)
Retyrning to Denmark
Grade 9 Graduation Certificate
The Danish Summer School takes place at three different locations. The outline program provides an overview of the shared activities and events that apply to all schools, including arrival days, classes, excursions, and closing ceremonies.
In addition, each school has its own daily schedule, outlining the structure of the day—from wake-up and lessons to leisure activities and evening routines.
Staff instructions and freedom with responsibility
Students will be supervised by adults throughout the programme, but we aim to give students freedom with responsibility based on age and maturity. We will therefore also make demands on the individual student and encourage independent decision-making as part of the programme. On field trips, there will always be two adults present. It is important that all students follow the instructions of the staff at all times. This is for the well-being and safety of everyone.
Mobile phone and computer policy
If students bring a mobile phone, it may be used in class for activities such as quizzes and orientation games. Otherwise, mobile phone policies vary slightly between the three schools. Laptops and tablets will remain in the classrooms after lessons.
- Balle Efterskole: Students can use their phones for 2-3 hours in the afternoon.
- Bernstorffsminde Efterskole: Students can use their phones from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Hjemly Efterskole: Students can use their phones from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
We reserve the right to adjust these policies based on the needs of the program.
Time off during Summer School
Students are not allowed to leave during their stay unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Candy and snack policy
We understand how important it is for students to receive a greeting from home, but we kindly ask that no candy be sent. A high sugar intake and learning do not go well together, and we would greatly appreciate your support in following this recommendation.
The school’s kiosk offers plenty of opportunities for students to buy sweets if they wish.
For more details, please see the section “Pocket money.”
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco
At The Summer School, consumption and/or possession of alcohol, tobacco, and any other intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited. The Summer School staff will enforce these rules as part of their supervision duties.
Any violation of these rules may result in immediate dismissal from the program!
Alcohol at the closing party
In recent years, we have noticed an increasing tendency for older students to consume alcohol in secret during the closing party. We are aware that alcohol is often purchased during the excursion to Copenhagen.
To prevent alcohol consumption at the closing party, students will be searched before boarding the buses returning from Copenhagen.
Bullying
To make the Summer School a safe place to be, we crack down on any teasing and bullying. Deliberate bullying can ultimately lead to the expulsion of the student or students who are bullying.
Harassment
In a turbulent time where the world is marked by major events, children and young people may also feel the impact. However, at The Danish Summer School, we strive to create a space of calm, community, and security. Here, children and young people can relax and enjoy the summer—free from the world’s conflicts. No child or young person should bear responsibility for the decisions made by those in power.
We strongly encourage anyone who feels harassed to immediately speak to an adult. We have zero tolerance for any form of harassment—whether related to religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or any other matter.
Pictures of others
We also inform that taking photos of others in private situations without consent is prohibited, as is sharing photos of others on social media.
Violation of this rule may result in dismissal from the program!
Your child must be able to communicate in Danish or English
The language of the school is Danish, but English is used to give important messages if necessary for the safety of the students and understanding of important information.
In the event of an accident or illness, we cannot take responsibility for a child’s inability to understand basic distress calls or report pain or similar. This also applies to field trips where students are travelling in traffic and need to understand public announcements for their safety.
It is also very difficult for Summer School teachers and activity leaders to teach a student with whom they don’t share a common language, and therefore the learning outcomes are likely to be lower. Of course, the child’s language skills are also important in terms of their ability to socialise with other students and feel part of the community.
Children who do not master either Danish or English – i.e. do not understand simple information and ‘distress calls’ in one of the two languages – we cannot take responsibility for them and we reserve the right to send them home for their safety.
Repatriation
Naturally, any repatriation will only take place after contacting the student’s parents or contact person and will be at the student’s own expense. It is therefore important that the contact person can be available within a few hours to pick up or receive the student if the Summer School has to expel the student due to violation of the above rules or bad behaviour.
We encourage you as parents to go through our rules with your children before they come to the Summer School.
A dismissal from the Summer School will also affect the child’s possible future participation in the Summer School.
Being away from home for several weeks – perhaps for the first time – can be a big challenge. You can be extra vulnerable and feel homesick more easily. Making students feel at home quickly at the Summer School is a high priority. It is therefore important that students speak up if they feel misunderstood or upset. Ask your child to go to an adult if this is the case. We have a well-being interview with each child during the first few days.
Care and security
Every year we experience a few students suffering from homesickness. We are very aware of this
aware of this. Our general experience is that students who are homesick don’t necessarily benefit from extensive parental contact. Often, the student is reminded of the deprivation during the conversation with the parents. If you suspect that your child is homesick, it’s a good idea to consult with the heads of department before you call your child. We always focus on caring and making children feel safe and in the best hands.
At the school for our youngest students, we have hired an extra person in the group to free up a little more time for care and security.
Contact person
With several hundred students at the Summer School, it is inevitable that students get sick, injured or have to be sent home from the Summer School. If you are not in Denmark, your child must have a contact person in the country who we can contact and who can be available within a few hours and in some cases pick up the child. We have many students, so it is a great help to us if the parental information is forwarded to the contact person and any others who play a role in the student’s stay at the Summer School.
Contact with your child
Mobile phones can, of course, be used to provide proof of life. We recommend that you use the break between 15.00 and 16.00 CET if you need to get in touch with your child. This time has been chosen as it fits most time zones with a slightly flexible approach. Special arrangements can of course be arranged with the department management – for example, if the student does not bring their own mobile phone. We would like to appeal to you NOT to call outside of the phone time and thus respect the programme we have set for the students and their interaction with the other participants. Instead of calling, you can send an SMS that can be read when it fits into the student’s daily rhythm.
