Vejle Idrætshøjskole - Folk high school with sport in Denmark

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Welcome to Vejle Idrætshøjskole

A Folk High School

Vejle Idrætshøjskole is a Danish Folk High School. We offer non-formal adult education. Most students are between 18 and 25 years old and the length of a typical stay is 4 months. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no academic requirements for admittance and there are no exams - but you will get a diploma as a proof of your attendance.

Our teachers are professional and dedicated. Classes are based on dialogue and mutual learning between teachers and students. The main focus is to discover and strengthen the unique skills of each student in a challenging, yet supportive social atmosphere.

A Folk High School is not a qualification for the Universities in Denmark, and you do not achieve an academic degree attending the school.

Personal development and social life

To us, sports is just one of the best ways of spending time together, and it is an icebreaker when getting to know people. During your stay you will develop your personal skills, but that is not all.

We believe that sports can be a part of your personal development. However, discussions, creativity and general knowledge subjects are also an important part of the curriculum.

More information

If you want more information about Vejle Idrætshøjskole, you can sign up for our English newsletter at eepurl.com/jeWdH. You are also more than welcome to write to Peter Sebastian at ps@vih.dk.

What’s your sport?

This brochure will give you an overview of the subjects you can choose from when staying at Vejle Idrætshøjskole.

Sports A

We teach all sports A subjects seven lessons a week. The subjects are offered during four quarters each school year. See the timeline to get an idea of our subject selection each quarter. Below you will find a short introduction to each subject.

Handball

Handball is characterized by team spirit, fight, discipline and psychology. With your level as a starting point we will focus on developing your individual skills as a player. Trough training and match we will challenge your mental, physical, technical and tactical abilities.  

Adventure Forest

The subject is a mix between technical training and physical activity with lots of exciting experiences and challenges. Adventure forest focuses on mountain biking, climbing and orienteering. During the winter quarter we adjust to snow and ice with activities such as cross-country skiing, weather permitting.

Tennis

Our Sports A Tennis subject is all about developing your skills while having fun. Whether you wish to become the new Caroline Wozniacki or you just want to try out one of the world’s most popular sports, you will definitely like tennis at VIH. We will provide great training facilities along with skilled and dedicated instructors who will plan the lessons according with your level.

Football Academy

Our Football Academy subject focuses on individual skills. We will work with your technical abilities, coordination and functional strength to speed up your feet. You will be able to follow your improvements as we perform tests your technique, speed, strength, fitness and your jumping abilities.

Scuba Diving

During the warmer months we give you the opportunity to achieve official scuba diving certification. The course will provide you with basic knowledge of diving and the license to perform recreational diving. The instruction is divided in three parts; theoretical education, pool diving and dives in open sea. It is possible to provide all the instruction in Denmark, but we include two open water dives on our autumn school trip abroad. The scuba diving certificate is international and can be used worldwide.

Marathon and triathlon

With this subject we focus specifically on endurance training. Based on your wishes we work with personal goals, e.g. accomplishing a marathon or ½ iron man. The subject contains planning your training, theory, practice, and competition. Bring your own bike if you intend to perform longer triathlon distances.  

Basketball

On a global scale basketball is the second largest branch of sports. You can enjoy this game at VIH. Our instruction includes technical and tactical training along with lots of relevant exercises. American and Danish basketball profiles from the Danish league will pay us a visit. We will play games against other schools, watch NBA-games on TV and go see live games from the Danish league.

Dance

With our Dance subject we intend to challenge your body and its capabilities. We will break a sweat with smiles on our lips. We will dance up our fitness level and focus on the joy of movement as well as on our personal styles. Your physical condition and coordination are important elements. Our choreographies implement styles such as modern dance, funk, street dance and house, but we spice up our instruction with other styles according to your wishes. We organize the lessons to suit everyone no matter what sex, level, ambition and nationality you are.

Indoor cycling, pump and boxing

We have mixed indoor cycling, pump and boxing into one subject at VIH. With indoor cycling we spiff up your fitness and with pump we improve the endurance of your strength. Meanwhile, boxing combines strength, aerobic fitness, and coordination in the world’s hardest sport. Focus is on power, sweat and delightful aggressiveness.

Adventure race

Adventure race is a relatively new sport in Denmark. It can be called a multisport as it different individual sports disciplines are combined into a team sport. We work with disciplines such as MTB, climbing activities, cooperation exercises, orienteering, kayaking, inline skating and water activities. The activities are mixed in mini adventure races. We ensure fun challenges whatever your level is. So don´t hesitate. Get started!

Fitness 360

Fitness 360 contains all elements of the fitness world. From strength training to different types of group training like pilates, larges gym balls, redondo balls and lots more. At VIH we focus on functional training. We believe that muscle training is more than just strength – it is also functionality, balance, and stability training. Therefore we prefer exercises with great practical value – that are transferable to your every day activities or a specific branch of sports.

Sports B

We teach all sports B subjects seven lessons a week. The subjects are offered during four quarters each school year. See the timeline to get an idea of our selection of subjects each quarter. Below you will find a short introduction to each subject.

Football

Our focus is to gain insight into different methods of training - including technical, tactical and physical training. Inspired by popular international football teams we also try out different game plans. From October to April it is possible to obtain the official Danish B1 instructor’s certificate.

Badminton

Badminton at VIH focuses on you and your potential. The goal is to make you a better badminton player. We emphasise an intense, motivating and fun practice. Technical, tactical and mental training is paramount and the instruction is performed by highly trained instructors. During your stay you will experience some of the world’s best badminton players when we witness live games in the badminton league.

Water sports

Do you feel like grappling with different water sport disciplines? At VIH you have the chance to get some cool, adrenalin packed water experiences. Our conditions are optimum with Vejle Fjord very close by the school. This subject primarily involves sea kayaking and match race. Besides, you will become familiar with catamaran sailing, windsurfing and kayak polo

Aerobics and fitness dance

We develop choreographies with everything from very simple to challenging steps. You will be presented with different aerobics genres. All you need beforehand is to like moving around to the sound of good music, having a smile on your lip and breaking a sweat. We welcome all - our starting point is your individual level. In cooperation with the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association we also offer an aerobics instructor’s certificate. Obtaining the certificate will challenge you on choreography, but also personally and pedagogically.

Volleyball/beach volley

Through inspiring game exercises we develop you to become a complete player with a focus to the tactical, technical and physical abilities required by the game. Volleyball will provide you with intense matches where team spirit, secure confidence and support play an important role. That is why we emphasise enthusiasm and joy. Fun is an important key word when developing as a volleyball player at VIH.

Strength training

Would you like to learn the correct strength training techniques and get a more efficient strength training programme? In that case you will enjoy strength training at VIH. The instruction includes technical training with the most well-known free weight and machine exercises as well as putting together programmes and different methods of strength training. Crossfit, circle training, 300 challenge and outdoor fitness will also be part of this subject.

Outdoor Energy

Outdoor Energy will appeal to everyone who wants to improve their fitness markedly. This subject is basic training with cross-country running, mountainbiking, swimming and outdoor fitness. If you like feeling your pulse pound and you appreciate exercising in beautiful nature – then choose Outdoor Energy at VIH.

Skiing

If you are hooked on white alpine adventures and want to improve your skills, skiing at VIH will definitely fall in your favour. The subject is for everyone who wants to become a better skier. It is also possible to further prepare for the instructor training programme. Whatever you choose, you will receive competent instruction from teachers that either have official skiing certification and/or have great experience with skiing and snowboarding - and that concerns both the training in Denmark and down the piste. During autumn we will head to snowy areas for at least one week, while in spring we will be skiing 16-18 days – with individual instruction every day.

Competency subjects

We teach all Competency subjects six lessons a week. The subjects are offered during four quarters each school year. See the timeline to get an idea of our selection of subjects each quarter. Below you will find a short introduction to each subject. Some of the subjects are only for danish speaking students (in Danish).

International class

Politi (in Danish); Students attending the politi-line prepare for the Danish police admission examination.

Fitness instruktør (in Danish); Together with 2 Danish sports organizations you qualify as a fitness coach.

Ernæring og forbrænding (in Danish)

Music. When you attend our music line you will be working with ensemble, theory and audio learning, song writing, vocal training, chorus and performance – all on the basis of your wishes and personal level. You will be working with coordination, movement and creativity with the shared purpose of joy and playing for all!

Outdoor life and expedition. Do you like nature, hiking, hammocking and fire cooking? When you join the outdoor and expedition line, you will be doing both day and overnight trips in the local areas.  Expedition training will prepare you for cultural, natural, historical and physical challenges relating to the leaving expedition. The major part of the physical and skills preparations for the expedition is achieved when you attend the subjects Sports A and B. For more information on destination and prices, please visit www.vih.dk

Idrætspsykologi (in Danish)

Body & mind.  Body & mind is about life style and quality of life. Both body and mind are in focus in this subject together with essential elements as well-being and wellness. We focus on several activities, e.g. yoga, stretching, relaxation and meditation. You will acquire both theoretical and practical experience.  It is about your well-being.

Personal power.  This subject is about you personal impact. We focus on several elements that make up your power, e.g. charisma, body language, reasoning, drama, presentation, listening, stress, solving conflicts, selling yourself. Personal power will challenge your personality and appearance.

Team builder (in Danish)

Q&A

What about Vejle City?

Vejle is a town in Denmark located in the southeast of Jutland Peninsula. The city itself has a population of about 50,000 people. Vejle is a picturesque town located at the head of Vejle Fjord. Vejle is known for the forested hills that rise to the north and south of the town and fjord. The older, central part of town features a sizable cobblestone pedestrian mall leading past the former Town Hall, built in 1878-79. See more at vejle.dk.

What about the school?

The school is located in Nørreskoven (Northern Forest). It is beautiful in all seasons and you really experience the change in seasons. Literally, when you step out the front door of the school you are walking directly into the forest on small paths. You should also try visiting the forest on your mountain bike or in your running shoes. We have lots of great facilities. Strength training, gyms, handball, badminton, soccer fields, artificial turf, basketball, airtrack, dance hall, so there is plenty of opportunity to do a lot of sports. Close to Billund International Airport and the national railway.

Where will I stay?

You live at the school. All students are assigned rooms the first day they arrive. Students will be living with one or two fellow students of the same sex.

Trips – go experience

A stay at Vejle Idrætshøjskole is an experience for the whole of your life. Therefore it is important to us to also move the school out into the world to challenge the team in different surroundings. Consequently, we have planned a common trip during every semester, three trips abroad and one trip to either London or an outdoor life-trip in Denmark in early autumn.

London/outdoor trip. In early autumn you can choose between an outdoor week in Denmark and a trip to London focusing on either football or fitness/dance or music.

Sports trip. In late autumn, our common sports trip goes to a destination with a warmer climate and various possibilities for both school and physical activities.  For more information please visit vih.dk

Skiing trip. The skiing trip goes to a region with multiple snow and mountain activities. You can expect both alpine skiing and snowboarding challenges and many more winter activities.

Adventure trip to the Alps.  We challenge ourselves with adventure activities. It is possible to do climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking and canyon hiking.