A school for personal and spiritual development

Væksthøjskolen was founded by the renowned astrologer and therapist Vita Holmann Storborg, on September 13, 1996. The school is situated in a typical Danish landscape with fine opportunities for exploring the beautiful nature by foot or bicycle. The school is based on Vita's high spiritual insights and therapeutic psychology. It is a Danish folk high school that is built upon a holistic vision, teaching alternative outlooks, philosophies and different tools for self-evolvement. Love, self-confidence and techniques for solving problems, are common themes at the school. We teach methods of spiritual growth as well as how to become aware of and in control of the unconscious resources that governs our lives. Because we believe in the individual's responsibility for their own life, there are no religious nor political preferences, only open mindedness that invites all types of spiritual insight! We accept all thoughts, beliefs and feelings as long as they are expressed with love, respect and responsibility. Here the students can learn about and develop themselves and get in contact with their higher selves together with others! All of this takes place in a warm and loving boarding school environment with other people who are also interested in self-development. The courses are normally one or two weeks long, but Vaeksthojskolen do also offer long-time courses for about 12 weeks or an enire year. The students are adults who can be from 18 to well up in their 80s, with an average age of about 45 years. We expect openness, involvement, commitment and responsibility from our students, active participation is imperative. In the lessons, the students will learn methods to use to be able to tackle life, emotions and conflicts. We expect students to be able to take hold of their own situation.

The Danish Folk High School

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The concept of the folk high school is a unique institution in the Danish cultural tradition. It is a kind of people’s college, which attaches great importance to holistic education. The folk high schools educate people to become aware of their own ideals and resources as an active member of the society. The focus is on enhancing knowledge through the body and intellect, using reflection, creativity, humour and joy with a sense of personal commitment and responsibility.

Folk high schools are non-formal educational institutions, recognized and subsidized by the Danish government. The folk high schools are boardingschools, which offer free education without exams. There are lessons all day and most evenings, as well as other events. Vaeksthojskolen have also other facilities for example a fitness room or workshops that are offered for use at the students leisure. Most folk high schools are situated in beautiful natural surroundings. There are no exams, but students are obliged to participate actively and with commitment in all lessons and communal activities. However, the folk high school has no requirements as to previous education or occupation. The idea behind this form of education is that learning becomes a significant part of our lives if we are actively involved and share the responsibility for it, this is what we call "learning for life". Teaching at folk high schools is done through dialog and cooperation, on an equal footing and mutual respect between teachers and students. Some of the teachers live at the school, and all of the teachers spend time there with the students outside the regular lessons. This forms closer more personal relationships with the faculty than in most traditional schools. Each school is different with its own culture, spirit and personality. One thing you can be sure of is that they are all characterized by free thinking, respect and tolerance for all people, A place where an open debate about the meaning of things, values, freedom and love is part of being a student of life.

Guest teachers and lecturers

We often invite foreign and domestic capacities from the area of the spiritual science, as well as spiritual and therapeutic world, to come and teach or give lectures. This gives us the possibility to present various paths towards personal and spiritual development and the students can take part in the latest theories and new vibrations from all over the world. The guest teachers' and lecturers' positions are not necessarily an expression of the schools' stand points, however we accept, respect and are grateful for their willingness to share their thoughts with us. Some guest teachers have a few lessons each day while others concentrate their lessons over 3 days. Our own permanent staff will teach the subjects that our school finds are fundamental for your folk highschool experience. Therefore, no matter how the course is structured, it should be seen as an entity and we expect the student to follow as many of the lessons as possible in order to get the full benefit of their stay! The teaching will be in Danish or will be translated into Danish. The courses will be of 1-2 weeks or longer courses consisting of 1-2 weeks modules.

The Area

Væksthøjskolen is situated in the beautiful Danish landscape about 10 km. from Grenaa town, and about 20 km. from Aarhus airport in Tirstrup. The airport has connections to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, London, Goteborg, Barcelona and several charter destinations. You can read more at the homepage of the airport www.aar.dk While you are at the school you can take a trip to Grenaa city, where you can shop or take a trip to the harbour or the beach. About 60 km. away is Aarhus city, which is the second largest city in Denmark. You can read more about the area at www.visitdjursland.com.

The Kitchen and Meals

It is important that there is food for the body as well as the mind! Our school is the only one in Denmark that uses only organic products. We serve very varied vegetarian meals. We have the rule that all forms of meat or seafood are not allowed in the school kitchen and dining room. The diet is very versatile and well balanced. The staff in the kitchen prepares the food with lots of love and positive energy. We have an open kitchen where you can also find something to eat between meals. If you are on a special diet or have allergies, please contact us before your stay.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is prohibited in the schoolbuildings and at the terrace.

Medicine, Alcohol and Drug Policy

The students have to inform us of any illness requiring prescription medicine so we can help them in the best possible way in case of emergency. People with psychiatric illnesses are advised against taking our courses because of the self developmental contents of the lessons. Væksthøjskolen is a spiritual environment; therefore use of alcohol at the school is not appropriate. Abuse of alcohol and all other drugs is strictly forbidden and will result in expulsion from the school, because it would be detrimental to your, as well as the other student's, courses.

The Lesson Plan

The course will last 1 or 2 weeks with classes every weekday and on Saturdays. Some of the lessons will be held by the guest teacher in the subject, and other lesions will be by the regular teachers at the school in the traditional subjects of the school. Every Wednesday evening there is a lecture that is open for the general public; they are free for the students. Once a month at full moon, open meditations are held. On weekends and at nights the students can sometimes plan their own entertainment, watch a film, sing and dance, just have some fun and time to get to know one another. The studens receives a lesson plan where the lessons that are obligatory will be marked with *. Each day starts in the main assembly hall at 930 A.M. We start, as is traditional for all Danish high schools, by singing a couple of songs. Thereafter there is time to make any practical announcements. There will be breaks for tea/coffee or cold drinks during the lessons. We request that the students are quiet in their rooms after 1000 P.M. If someone would like to sit and chat or play a game later, please use the assembly hall and be considerate.

Meditations

There are meditations twice a day. They are optional, but we recommend them as a good way to start and end your day as well as being a part of the spiritual practise at the school! There will also be meditations as a part of the lessons.

The Facilities

All of the schools facilities are at the students disposal; please remember to clean up after you're finished. There is a T.V. room and a creative workshop where the student can paint, draw, sculpt, etc. There is a computer room that has internet access; it costs 1 DKK. per page to print out or 7 pages for 1 Euro. There is also a fitness room, where you can exercise whenever you like. There is T.V., video and a stereo that can be used while you are exercising.
Max attendance of our courses is 70 persons and 140 persons at our lectures. The single rooms can be booked at an extra charge, but there are limited amounts. There is a toilet and sink for each double bedroom. There are separate shower stalls in the hallway. The students can bring your own towels and bedlinen or lease them at the school.

Standard of Values

Væksthøjskolen is dedicated to a holistic approach, encompassing the oneness of being and the awareness of a greater divine power. We regard all physical, psychological, emotional, mental and spiritual paths as being equal reflections of the divine. We as human beings are also divine, and are creating our own lives. This necessitates the understanding that the unconscious mind has a joint influence on our existence, only then can we take the full responsibility for our self and our own life.