The German pedagogue Hermann Lietz provided the philosophical underpinnings for the movement to create these schools in the early 20th century.
The pedagogue Hermann Lietz was raised in a rural setting, which he came to believe were the best environments for youth development.
[2] He opened additional schools in Haubinda [de] (Thuringia) in 1901; Bieberstein Palace, Hesse, in 1904; and an orphanage (Landweisenheim) in Veckenstedt in 1914.
His followers completed the Stiftung Deutsche Landerziehungsheime trust in 1920, which continues to exist to the present day in supporting the Hermann-Lietz-Schulen [de].
[2] Lietz's method influenced Kurt Hahn in the creation of the Schule Schloss Salem and his Outward Bound experiential learning program.