After a full night of rest and relaxation, we started the day with a scavenger hunt around Amsterdam. We started the hunt at the Church of Saint Nicholas and ended it all the way in Waterloopen. During this scavenger hunt, we got a good look at the architecture of the city. As you walk through the city, none of the buildings look like the ones next to it. They all have different colors, shapes, and sizes. There are even houseboats on the canal. These houseboats became popular after World War II due to severe housing shortages and the availability of decommissioned cargo ships. There are two types of houseboats in Amsterdam: converted cargo ships and modern floating homes. The converted cargo ships are historic vessels and often feature original wooden interiors. Modern floating homes are built on concrete hulls and may include central heating, electricity, and a sewage system, making them fully functional homes.

The House of Denim Foundation is an independent organization based in Amsterdam that has been a driving force in the global denim industry. The foundation’s mission is “Towards a Brighter Blue,” which aims to make denim drier, cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable. They promote eco-friendly denim practices, foster innovation, and build a community and collaboration within the denim supply chain industry. They created The Jean School International, which is the world’s first vocational education program dedicated to denim, and offers hands-on training in craftmanship, design, patternmaking, sustainable manufacturing, and business skills. Their sustainability work is centered on advocacy, collaboration, and education, set to improve the denim supply chain. The company works with fabric mills, brands, retailers, policymakers, and governments to create projects that make the industry more sustainable. They have an environmental responsibility to reduce water use, chemical emissions, and waste. The Denim Deal sets a minimum of 5% recycled textile content in all of their jean products with a collective goal of producing three million jeans containing at least 20% recycled textiles.