Mayor Nino Haase and Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department of Children and Youth, took advantage of the summer break to get a firsthand look at the “Ferienkarte” program and talk with children and the organizers.

The “Ferienkarte” has been offering a summer vacation program for 56 years and is one of the largest municipal vacation programs in Rhineland-Palatinate. A total of approximately 2,700 children and teenagers took advantage of the Mainz “Ferienkarte.” There were more than 470 individual events to choose from, supplemented by 29 regular programs offering numerous discounts. In addition, the “Ferienkarte” provided, among other things, free use of buses and trams in Mainz and Wiesbaden, as well as free admission to Mainz’s two outdoor swimming pools.

The Office for Youth and Family of the State Capital of Mainz organizes the program and develops it in collaboration with partner organizations. The vacation card included activities in the areas of nature and the environment, sports, culture, crafts, technology, mobility, and health. 

Mayor Nino Haase and Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department for Children and Youth, personally visited the events during the summer vacation. Right at the start of the summer vacation, on July 1, 2026, Nino Haase visited the “Tram Driver Certificate” program offered by Mainzer Mobilität as part of the vacation card. Together with the young participants, he gained insights into tram operations, took a test ride, and then received the tram driver’s certificate himself. The program provided a vivid introduction to technical concepts as well as insights into a career field within municipal public services.

Jana Schmöller attended five “Ferienkarte” programs during the summer break: the hands-on programs “Hörner und Zähne” and "Heimische Tiere" at the Natural History Museum in Mainz, the wheelchair sports introductory course at TV Laubenheim, the Mobile Zauberschmiede at the Alte Ziegelei, and the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mainz University Medical Center. The visits highlighted the wide range of topics covered by the Vacation Card—from science and creativity to inclusion and physical activity, all the way to medical education.

Mayor Nino Haase explains: “For decades, the Mainz Vacation Pass has stood for a strong commitment to our young residents of Mainz and for strong partnerships in our city. It gives children and young people the opportunity to try new things and get to know Mainz from a wide variety of perspectives. My heartfelt thanks go to all city employees, associations, institutions, companies, and volunteers who make this extensive summer program possible year after year.”

Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department for Children and Youth, adds: “The Summer Break Card combines fun, education, physical activity, and cultural participation. Over the past few weeks, children and teens have been able to explore, play sports, engage in creative activities, and much more. In the process, they’ve learned about clubs, hobbies, and careers. I was particularly pleased by the enthusiasm of the participating children and youth and the tremendous dedication of our partners. Together, we create summer programs that foster a sense of community and provide many children with unforgettable experiences.”

Outlook

Preparations for the 2027 Mainz Vacation Card will begin in the coming months. Interested institutions, clubs, and organizations are invited to contribute their own ideas and programs to the initiative and to contact the Office for Youth and Family of the State Capital of Mainz: Contact information and details about the Vacation Card are available on the website jugend-in-mainz.de (opens in a new tab)Vacation Card are available on the website jugend-in-mainz.de (opens in a new tab).