The administrative district of Apensen is situated south of the community of Stade and has 7150 inhabitants and an area of 7397 ha. It shares its borders with the town of Buxtehude, which is of considerable importance for its presentation and development.
Grundoldendorf, Beckdorf with the districts of Goldbeck and Nindorf as well as Sauensiek with the districts Revenahe, Kammerbusch and Wiegersen all belong to the administrative community of Apsensen. Since the end of 1997, the administrative district has been the first community in the community of Stade to change its local government and the citizens voted for a full time district mayor of the community for the first time.

Image Copyright: Samtgemeinde Apensen

In all three member communities, young families are provided for with well equipped Kindergartens in the different districts. This can also be applied to the primary schools, although at present children can only be taught up to the 3rd year in Beckdorf.

Image Copyright: Samtgemeinde Apensen

For example, in Apensen you can find generous outdoor sport facilities for schools. There are currently plans to build a new secondary school and after August 2001, pupils will have the opportunity to be taught at the different levels of secondary education in the administrative district.

Many festivities have been celebrated in the generous sized shooting hall, which is very popular. The main attraction of the village is the wonderful and interesting church, whose groups with their cultural and social aspects do a lot for the seniors and the youths in the administrative district.

Every Beckdorf citizen is very pround of the sports hall, which is open to all clubs of the district community. Here, handball is being played very successfully and is being well supported by commited youth work. The harvest festivals, which take place annually, are very popular.

In the course of the urban development law, Beckdorf, as an old fashioned village, was transformed to an urban housing municipality. At the village border, the club 'Die Kranzbinder' constructs a historic farmhouse, the Beekhof.

In contrast, Sauensiek has several options for leisure activities, for example, in the communal outdoor pool with large sunbathing lawn or the tennis court facilities, built in the 1983, as well as a camping ground. An active village youth organises different events during the year, for example the Easter fire and thus creates a generation encompassing solidarity in the community.

Image Copyright: Samtgemeinde Apensen

The�charming landscape of the administrative district, which boasts forest and moor areas, offers relaxation and peace from the everyday life in the Este valley as well as in the barrows. The�"Litberg" (mountain) in Sauensiek is highest point in the community of Stade,�as it is 65m above sea level.
The clubs�are the cultural basis of our communities and because of this fact they have an important role. As there are no theatres or cinemas and no other options normally available in a town, free time is spent at clubs.�At sports clubs, marksmen's associations, glee clubs, at the country ladies, the fire station and many more, citizens come together to take part in a variety of activities.