PASCH Camp “Soccer and German” in Colorado
In October 2025, the mountain town of Estes Park in Colorado became the meeting point for a special German-language exchange. Thirty-nine students from PASCH schools in the USA, Canada, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras came together for a weekend that highlighted two connecting forces: soccer and the German language.
Under the guidance of professional coaches Peter Acker and Devon Godde from the Atlanta Goalkeeper Academy, participants trained side by side, regardless of whether they had prior playing experience or were wearing soccer shoes for the first time. What united them was not only their enthusiasm for the sport but also their shared goal of communicating exclusively in German throughout the weekend. This created an authentic language and movement experience where play and learning blended naturally.
In the evening, the “Country Night” brought the idea of transcontinental connection to life. Students presented their home countries and regions in German and celebrated the cultural diversity of North and Central America. Even beginners showed great courage and commitment, demonstrating how language can foster mutual respect.
The PASCH Camp “Soccer and German” 2025 embodied the spirit of the PASCH initiative. It promoted dialogue between cultures, strengthened the global network of German learners, and showed that language and sport can build bridges where borders once stood.
Under the guidance of professional coaches Peter Acker and Devon Godde from the Atlanta Goalkeeper Academy, participants trained side by side, regardless of whether they had prior playing experience or were wearing soccer shoes for the first time. What united them was not only their enthusiasm for the sport but also their shared goal of communicating exclusively in German throughout the weekend. This created an authentic language and movement experience where play and learning blended naturally.
The Language of Soccer
From the very first minute, all training sessions were conducted entirely in German. Through movement, the students learned vocabulary such as dribbeln (to dribble), passen (to pass), and ein Tor schießen (to score a goal), discovering that language often becomes clearer through physical experience than through grammar exercises. In drills and small games, they strengthened not only their sense of teamwork but also their linguistic confidence. The friendship tournament at the end of the weekend was far more than just a game—it became a celebration of joint effort and intercultural understanding. Teachers and classmates cheered their teams on with handmade posters and loud chants.German Beyond the Field
In the afternoon, creative and cultural exchange took center stage. The accompanying teachers had prepared stations where students could playfully expand their German skills while deepening cultural knowledge. They wrote thank-you cards to their schools, designed team slogans, matched Bundesliga logos, and tested their knowledge in a soccer quiz. At an interview station, participants conducted planned conversations with the coaches, applying their German in authentic communication situations.Unity in Diversity
The camp coincided with German Unity Day, providing a fitting occasion for reflection. In group activities, where they created a timeline of German division and reunification, the students explored themes such as identity, belonging, and community, drawing parallels to their own cross-border experiences.In the evening, the “Country Night” brought the idea of transcontinental connection to life. Students presented their home countries and regions in German and celebrated the cultural diversity of North and Central America. Even beginners showed great courage and commitment, demonstrating how language can foster mutual respect.
A Welcome Surprise
When the changeable mountain weather unexpectedly brought rain and the planned treasure hunt was canceled, participants responded with team spirit and flexibility. They spontaneously moved activities indoors, where they enjoyed the camp’s leisure offerings and learned a German dance together. Laughter and music filled the room, turning an unexpected moment into a special experience of connection.The PASCH Camp “Soccer and German” 2025 embodied the spirit of the PASCH initiative. It promoted dialogue between cultures, strengthened the global network of German learners, and showed that language and sport can build bridges where borders once stood.