Report by: Marvin Wittschen, Camp Organiser

From 26 July to 2 August, the quiet village of Rothmannsthal in Bavaria, Germany became the meeting point for 34 young people – 17 from Germany and 17 from France – aged between 13 and 17. They came for a week of ballooning, adventure, and cross-cultural exchange at the Franco-German Youth Office Balloon Youth Camp 2025. 

This Balloon Youth Camp has been held annually for more than 20 years, supported by the French-German Youth Office (FGYO) and the FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA). It alternates between Germany and France, and welcomes participants from all backgrounds. Its aim is to offer rich opportunities for shared experiences across cultures while providing practical insight into the world of hot air ballooning.

Cooking together: Making pizzas by hand – a tasty evening activity.

Although the summer weather was often unsettled, the group completed three flights using four balloons. Launches at sunrise and sunset offered calm conditions and spectacular views, with early morning ascents revealing the Franconian countryside and frequent deer sightings. Every participant flew at least once, and many twice, experiencing both the practical aspects of operating a balloon and the unique sense of freedom that ballooning provides.

Teamwork: Setting up the basket together before take-off

When not in the air, the programme featured city visits to Bamberg and Coburg, a canoe tour, a climbing park, and a visit to the swimming pool. At the accommodation, table tennis became the hub for spontaneous tournaments and friendly rivalries.

Canoe tour: German and French participants paddling as a team.

Climbing park: Tackling the high ropes together and having fun outdoors.

The week opened with a hands-on introduction to ballooning, covering equipment, procedures, and safety. Later, theory sessions on meteorology deepened participants’ understanding of weather and flight planning. Language animation sessions encouraged participants to develop communication skills, overcome language barriers, and build confidence in using another language in everyday situations. Separately, mixed room allocations and balloon teams helped to create new friendships and promote teamwork across nationalities.

Safety briefing: A pilot explains how the equipment works and what to keep in mind.

First-time flyers received a personal certificate for their maiden flight. Their flight was also marked by the release of helium balloons bearing their names into the summer sky – a symbolic celebration of their entry into ballooning.

The camp was organised by, and delivered entirely, by a dedicated team of ten volunteers from both countries, working on behalf of their national organisations – the Luftsportjugend of the DAeC in Germany and the Fédération Française d’Aérostation in France. Without their commitment, such an event would not be possible. The Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO) provided essential funding, with additional support from the FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA), and several balloon clubs generously made their balloons available free of charge.

Balloon inflation: Preparing the balloon for an evening launch.

In the autumn, a second FGYO Balloon Youth Camp will take place for younger participants aged 7 to 13, continuing the mission of bringing together young people from both sides of the Rhine to share unforgettable experiences in and around ballooning – and perhaps inspiring the next generation of balloonists.