Jerndalslejren - Skovensportal

Skovensportal, on plots 1 in Hvalsø on Sjælland, is a small cozy campsite just outside Hvalsø town. On the campsite there is a small cabin, a WC building, a fire hut, and a couple of shelters. The camp has been owned by Holbæk- og RegstrupSpejderne since 1964 and has hosted many wonderful moments in nature for children, youth, and adults. The plot is located 400 meters from the Hvalsø forests and, in the other direction, currently 400 meters from the town sign for Hvalsø, but this will change in connection with the expansion of Hvalsø town in the near future, making it a unique portal between city life and nature. Scouts have used the place for camps, courses, and other wonderful experiences for children and youth and wish to offer it to others as well. The camp is used by 100 role-players, approx. 460 scouts distributed among 5 scout groups, Oplev Lejre with approx. 40 people, Skjoldungernes land, and approx. 200 annual guests. Kindergartens, day care providers, and other scouts from Hvalsø have also used the area over the last 10 years. The encounter with nature is becoming more and more distant for the Danish population; for example, 38% of Danish children have not tried to light a campfire, 41% have not seen stars in the sky, 68% have not stayed overnight in nature, and 58% have not tried to build a den (Survey from Friluftsrådet). These experiences are, in the scouts’ view, what helps develop healthy children and youth—children and youth who can take the initiative to play, who play with others despite differences. Nature is where children do not need an iPad or streaming services to avoid boredom; in nature, the play that arises in the moment must emerge and be stimulated. An equally important aspect of the project is that it should benefit physically challenged users; the scouts want wheelchair users, people with walking difficulties, and others with physical barriers to be able to experience nature’s many opportunities as closely as all other citizens in Denmark. The forest portal aims to help with this; the place is easy to reach on foot, by bike, and by car.