Meeting in the countryside

ENVI/RENO
13/04– 27/04
Vols: 7 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The workcamp will take place in the small Moravian village of Tvarozna Lhota, situated in the White Carpathian Mountains, near to the Slovakian border. The region is famous for its folk traditions and its beautiful countryside. In the middle of the village, the local NGO “INEX-SDA Bile Karpaty” runs a small centre for rural development and sustainability. It also has an outdoor museum with traditional cottages, some farm animals, a herb garden and traditional fruit trees, showing how rural live used to be in the past. Every year several public events take place there.

Work: The work will be manual. The volunteers will work in the outdoor museum, mainly repairing fences, making hay, cleaning, and weeding the herb garden. Besides, the volunteers will collect herbs from the surrounding meadows, which will then be used for the production of herbal teas. On April 14th a small festival of typical fruit products, “Oskeruse”, will take place. The volunteers will help with the technical preparations of the event (i.e. installation of an exhibition, cleaning up afterwards) and are invited to attend the celebration.

Leisure time: Trips to the countryside and to folklore events, visits to touristic sights in the surrounding towns and villages will take place.
Study part: The volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more about local products, local farming, the history and potential of the region.

Accommodation/Food: In a building in the very centre of the village. Volunteers will need to bring their own sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Two small bathrooms are available. Please be prepared for basic living conditions as the house is very small. Volunteers will prepare their meals together – a small kitchen is available in the living area. Bring your favourite recipes.

Location: Tvarozna Lhota (bus stop in the village, next train stop Straznice).

17/06 – 30/06
RENO
Vols: 7 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The little village of Mezno lies about 70 km south from Prague. There are about 250 people living in Mezno and its surroundings. The volunteers will have the chance to experience life in a typical Bohemian village.

Work: The volunteers will work either in a local forest helping with its maintenance or help with the cultivation of public places in Mezno and some surrounding villages. The work will be manually and physically demanding. Bring working shoes and clothes suitable for outdoor work.
Study part: The second essential part of the project is to meet locals (mainly kids) and introduce the volunteers’ countries and cultures to them.

Accommodation/Food: The volunteers will be accommodated in a local football clubhouse. No beds and blankets can be provided, therefore the volunteers are asked to bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Please be prepared for basic living conditions. The volunteers will prepare their breakfast and dinner by themselves. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.

Location: In your free time, you can make trips to surrounding towns, the near-by countryside and places of interest. As Mezno is a small village with limited leisure possibilities, bring ideas how to spend your free time (games, music instruments).

18/06 – 01/07
RENO/ENVI
Vols: 8 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The NGO “Horse Farm Chmelistna” is located in Western Bohemia. The main activities of the local partner are: Restoration and improvement of the village, breeding of horses and other domestic animals, management of the farm with respect for environmental principles and rural traditions, usage of horses in various fields (sport, medieval theatre and "Natural Horsemanship"), organising activities and events for children, especially children at risk of social exclusion. The project is designed for people, who love nature, farm animals and are fond of staying at one of the smallest Czech villages.

Work: You will help to build a small wooden shelter for horses on one of the pastures. Besides you will support the partner to cultivate the surroundings of the village, cut invasive plants and liquidate weeds, construct fences and maintain pastures. After the project a football festival takes place in a bigger village nearby and you can assist with some of the preparations.

Study part: During the workcamp plenty of non-formal educational activities will be planned, e.g. excursions and workshops on ecological topics, trips to nearby farms and the countryside. It’s possible to organize an intercultural evening, so take some pictures and music that represents you and some interesting recipes with you. You will be able to meet with children and young people from the local partner’s target group (children from the neighbourhood, from children’s homes, from a nearby Roma community and the inmates of an educational institution for young people).

Leisure time: You can do horseback riding (or learn how to ride horses if you are a beginner), go hiking in the countryside, make music, have a campfire. There is a place for swimming about 3 km away. As the transport possibilities in the region are very limited, please note that it will most likely not be possible to visit bigger cities during the workcamp, but we will try to organize trips to some cultural events in the region of the project. 

Accommodation/Food: In a simple brick house. The building has hot water, a shower and a kitchen. Bring your own sleeping bag with you! If you like outdoor life and the weather will allow, you can also sleep under a wooden shelter in the garden of the partner. You will cook together with the group using common resources in your lodgings.

Location: The tiny village of Chmelistna (near Nepomysl), in the district of Louny, in the north-western part of the Czech Republic

Note: Smoking is forbidden in the project’s buildings, vegetarians are very welcome. The project is not suitable for volunteers with allergies (pollen, animal hair, insect stings ...).

08/07 – 23/07
RENO
Vols: 12 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The workcamp takes place in cooperation with a local cultural and educational organization which runs a library and cultural centre. Besides, the organization takes care for the local cultural heritage such as a castle and a historical tower and organizes activities for children and other members of the community. The library with its big garden has become an important meeting point for the local community and your task will be to make the place even more attractive to the locals.

Work: The volunteers will help to create a nature playground at the garden around the library. The playground will offer local kids the chance to play in a natural area with many elements supporting their creativity – such as small hills and tunnels, natural climbing frames, water, stones and many more. The work is manual but not too hard.

Study part: You will have many possibilities to learn something new: An excursion to the nearby forest and a lecture on wildlife will be prepared for you as well as visits to a local blacksmith and a farm. As part of the playground area, where you will work, is open to the public, you will have the chance to meet locals and their children during your work - it would be great to prepare an interactive program for them during one afternoon. It’s also possible to arrange a meeting with local kids from socially disadvantaged families and prepare some activities together with them.

Leisure time: You can hike in the surrounding countryside, go swimming in nearby lakes and visit castles, historical towns and other interesting sights in the region. The local host invites you to spend one night at the local castle including a medieval dinner.

Accommodation/Food: The volunteers will sleep in a house situated in the centre of the town. The house serves as the local library, so your beds will be put up between the bookshelves. Additionally, a common room, a kitchen, a shower and toilets, will be at your disposal. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The volunteers will prepare their breakfast and dinner on their own, so bring some interesting recipes! The lunch will be provided by the local host.  

Location: Jirkov, a town in North-Western Bohemia with about 20.000 inhabitants.

10/07 – 24/07
ENVI/RENO
Vols: 10 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The project takes place in cooperation with a local NGO (Non-governmental organization). The NGO engages in the field of nature protection, environmental education and a sustainable way of live. It takes care for a nature trail between two local villages and its surroundings. Besides, the organization would like to support the development of volunteering in today’s society.

Work: You will help to clean a protected forest and some neglected public areas around the village of your stay. Furthermore you will help to cut grass on protected meadows with precious orchids growing there. Finally you will help to clean non-used churches in which the local NGO would like to organize concerts.

Study part: Introduction of the local NGO, guided tour around the sights of the surroundings, workshops on traditional handicraft, excursion to local producers. The volunteers have the possibility to organize an intercultural evening for the locals – so please bring some pictures, recipes, music that represents you and your culture.

Leisure time: You can make trips to the surrounding on foot or by bike. It’s also possible to visit some towns and sights in the farther surrounding region. In the village itself you can play games, sports (volleyball, football...) and spent your evenings by the campfire. You can also attend some of the events organized by the local partner such as a concert in one of the cleaned churches. 

Accommodation/Food: The volunteers will be accommodated either in the local parish house or a school building in the village of Vysoke Veseli. Please bring your own sleeping bag and light mat. Most of the time, you will prepare your own meals, so bring some interesting recipes. Occasionally members of the local NGO will cook for you.

Location: The village of Vysoke Veseli, located in Eastern Bohemia.

Note: Bring good working cloths, a raincoat and working boots. If you play any musical instrument, it would be great to take it with you (if possible) – you can use it for example for the intercultural evening or for creating some nice atmosphere at the campfire

12/07 – 23/07
RENO/CULT
Vols: 10 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The old brewery is situated in the small village of Chric. Its history dates back to the 14th century and the brewery was built two centuries later. The production of beer had to be stopped with the beginning of the Second World War. The complex has fallen into ruin since that time. But it is an inspiring area, which the NGO Propolis wants to change into a vivid place, serving as cultural and community centre. Step by step working rooms for handicapped people and an educational centre offering courses for the public should be build up. The organization would also like to support the reactivation of traditional handcrafts. Sometimes in the future the production of beer should be restored, too!

Work: The main part of the work consists of manual tasks: The group will do renovation and demolition works in the brewery, cultivate the garden, clean a river and help to prepare the local music and theatre festival “Kric fest”, which will take place the second weekend of the project. The work will be physically very demanding. Additionally the volunteers will create a performance or a cultural program, which they will present together during the festival (the concept is just up to the fantasy and ability of the volunteers). We are looking for motivated volunteers, who are not afraid of physically demanding work and who have an interest in theatre, music, dance and creative art. Bring working clothes that can get dirty or damaged. You will need very good working shoes!! You will work at the weekends, but get at least one day off.

Study part: Get some knowledge about the history of the place, the brewery and the way beer was produced. We inform you as well about our plans for the future and depending on your interest it is possible to visit a nearby museum, where you learn more about local traditions. We can also arrange a visit of a bee-keeper and of other traditional local producers.

Leisure time: Trips to the surroundings: ruins of the castles Krasov, Krakovec, the nature preserve Krivoklatsko, the castle Krivoklat and the muzeum Marianska Tynice. There will be some bikes at your disposal. The village has a football ground; 5-10 km from the village there is a swimming pool and a river.

Accommodation/Food: In the living area of the brewery in two separate rooms. Bring a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat. In case of interest you can sleep in tents in the garden (bring your own tent). The local partner prepares the food with occasional help of the volunteers. Take some crucial ingredients or local products to prepare your traditional food for an intercultural evening. The living conditions will be very basic (outside showers, dry toilets, not much comfort or privacy in the sleeping rooms)

Location: The village of Chric (about 200 inhabitants, with a church and a castle in its centre), located in the Western part of Bohemia.

Note: A motivation letter sent with the application form is strictly required (max. 1 page A4, please state your motivation to participate in the workcamp, your experience with manual work, what you can contribute to the festival and if you have some ideas for the performance).

22/07– 06/08
ENVI/CULT
Vols: 11 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18 - 26

Project: The workcamp will take place in Tvarozna Lhota, a small village in the White Carpathian Mountains. Here “INEX-SDA White Carpathian Mountains” supports rural development and the education towards a sustainable way of life. It offers educational free-time activities to young people and operates an ecological open-air centre called “Cottage Travicna” with an ethnographical exposition on life in the mountains. The organization also supports the production and consumption of regional goods, such as herbal teas, goat cheese, lamb meat any many more.

Work: Most of the work will take place at the ecological areal „Cottage Travicna“. During the first week the volunteers will help with manual work, such as easy-to-handle landscaping, drying hay and reparations of play structures for children. Other tasks will include setting up fences for the extension of the number of domestic animals breed in the centre, maintenance of the surrounding area (putting up signs and touristic marks, repairing tourist paths, take care of a herbal garden). During the second week, the volunteers will help to prepare the event „Ethnosalas“(a celebration for local children). During the celebration, the volunteers will assist in implementing different activities for children. If the weather conditions allow, the volunteers will also collect herbs on the surrounding meadows and in the nearby forest, which will be used for the production of organic teas.

Study part: A guided excursion to the biosphere reserve „NPR Certorye“, a guided tour along the nature-trail „Oskoruse“ (traditional regional fruit), a trip to the Bata Canal and sustainable tourism are planned. Learn more about local products, organic farming, the history and natural potential of the region. An international cooking evening with the local youth and workshops on pottery and batik with traditional colours are planned. The program includes a trip to Bratislava (Slovakia).

Leisure time: Trips to various sights of the regional cities of Straznice and Skalice plus a daily afternoon-program, including games and trips to the close-by countryside and sights will be offered.

Accommodation/Food: The volunteers will be accommodated in a building in the very centre of the village. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat. Two small bathrooms are available. Please be prepared for basic living conditions as the house is very small. The volunteers will prepare their meals together – a small kitchen is available in the living area. Bring your national recipes.

Location: Tvarozna Lhota (bus stop in the village, next train stop Straznice). The nearby bigger cities are Straznice (5 km distance) and Uherske Hradiste (30 km). The region is famous for its folk traditions and beautiful countryside.

Note: This project is realized with the support of Johnson Controls.

23/07 – 04/08
RENO/ENVI
Vols: 11 + 2 team leaders
AGE: 18+
Countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria

Project: The workcamp is organized by two NGOs from Western Bohemia dealing with sustainable rural development, protection of the landscape and preservation of regional cultural sights. It will take place in two communities of the region, which lay just a few kilometres apart: During the first week you will live and work in the tiny village of Nezichov. The second week’s activities will take place in Becov, a beautiful historical town with a famous castle.

Work: The work will be manual: You will help to preserve the local natural and cultural heritage such as a historical botanic garden. Your work includes to plant trees and other plants, cut grass, remove invasive plants, help with the maintenance of the touristic infrastructure and natural trails. You can also help on an organic farm. The tasks can change according to current needs and the weather conditions. Take good working boots and rain-gear.

Study part: Meet representatives of the NGOs and the villages, learn more about ecological farming (as you will live on an organic farm during the first week), guided tours to regional historical and cultural sights such as castles and monasteries. Excursions with a lecturer to the protected countryside surrounding Becov and Nezichov are planned.

Leisure time: You can visit famous spa towns in the region (i.e. Carlsbad/Karlovy Vary), make sports and go hiking in the surrounding countryside. It is possible to have a campfire, go swimming and on bike trips, try horse riding and visit some local cultural events such as concerts. Bring also some of your favourite local recipes and games.

Accommodation/Food: During the first week you will sleep in a pension on an organic farm. The local partner will prepare food. In the second week the living conditions will be basic – you will sleep in a student accommodation in Becov. Please bring your own sleeping bag! The food will be partly prepared by volunteers and partly provided by the local partners.

Location: Becov and Nezichov in Western Bohemia.

Note: Special Czech-German-Central European project. The camp language is English!

24/08 – 10/09
RENO/ENVI
Vols: 8 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18 - 30

Project: The project is organized with the municipality of Dysina, a small village in Western Bohemia not far from Pilsen. You will mainly support the community to improve the look of the village and take care of the local green in parks, a bio corridor and in other public places.

Work: The work will be mainly manual. You will take care of the community green areas - so you should be fond of gardening works (cutting bushes and grass, painting works, raking etc.). Secondly you will help with some manual tasks such as the reconstruction of the local church. The village would like to organize a theatre performance for local kids in the time the workcamp takes place. The volunteers can join the event and prepare some intercultural theatre performance together with the local kids.

Study part: Get familiar with the history of the region and visit some local craftsmen. It’s possible to organize an intercultural evening, so take some pictures and music that represents you and some interesting recipes with you. In the last week of the project the local school starts its new term. It will be possible to prepare some intercultural activities for the local school-kids.

Leisure time: Excursion to Pilsen (European Cultural Capital 2015). Trips to the surrounding countryside, swimming in nearby lakes, campfire. The village will try to arrange some activities with the local population as well. During your stay a second workcamp will take place in one of the neighbouring villages – it will be possible to meet with the volunteers and plan some activities together.

Accommodation/Food: You will sleep either in flats belonging to the village or in a local centre for children – please bring a sleeping bag. It is possible to use the internet for free and wash your clothes. Some of the meals will be served in the school canteen, some will be prepared by the group. Vegetarian diet is possible.

Location: Dysina

24/08 – 10/09
ENVI/KIDS
Vols: 8 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18+

Project: The project takes place in Kysice, a tiny village in Western Bohemia located just 4 km from Pilsen, European Cultural Capital 2015. You will mainly support the local community to improve the look of the village and organize activities for the local kids.

Work: Firstly, the volunteers will help to maintain and improve the village. The main task is to dismantle the fence around the local town hall, plant a hedge instead and clean the area in front of the town hall. Secondly, the volunteers will help to organize a day of activities for local children at the end of their summer holidays. They will prepare an afternoon full of games and competitions for children aged from 3 to 12 years. Every participant should prepare games and competitions for children that are typical for their regions of origin. Bring anything special you may need for the preparations and which could be unavailable in the Czech Republic. Musical instruments are also very welcome.

Study part: An excursion to the Brewery Museum in Pilsen or the Pilsen brewery itself is planned. You will also learn more about the history of the village Kysice from a local historian and visit an exhibition of historical photographs. It’s possible to organize an intercultural evening, so take some pictures and music that represents you and some interesting recipes with you.

Leisure time: There are plenty of activities the volunteers can do during their free time: have a campfire or a barbeque; do sports such as volleyball, foot tennis and handball; go hiking and cycling in the surroundings (bicycles will be provided by the village); visit of the zoo. During your stay a second workcamp will take place in one of the neighbouring villages – it will be possible to meet with the volunteers and plan some activities together.

Accommodation/Food: separate private house - two rooms available for sleeping, plus a common room, bathroom, toilet, kitchen. The volunteers will sleep in sleeping bags on mattresses. Bring your own sleeping bag. Lunches will be prepared by the locals, the volunteers will prepare their own breakfast and dinner.

Location: Kysice

Note: Regarding the fact that the volunteers will stay in a private house of a family with three children, the volunteers should be out-going personalities and non-smokers.

16/09 – 02/10
RENO/CULT
Vols: 10 + 2 team leaders
Age: 18 +

Project: The project is held in Osinalice, a small village in Western Bohemia situated in a beautiful countryside with the famous Machovo Lake and the Bezdez Castle. The project is organized by the association DoNitra which runs an organic farm on which experiential educational courses (art, handcraft, self-awareness) are held. The courses focus on the development of skills and abilities which lead to self-sufficiency, self-awareness, courage and a deeper contact with the nature.

Work: The aim of the workcamp is to teach the participants how to manage and carry out your own project. There will be three construction projects proposed to the volunteers (greenhouse/multi-purpose woodshed/garden) and one programme project (garden festival). The volunteers will choose one of the construction projects to be carried out together within two weeks. They can be assisted by a professional stonemason, bricklayer or carpenter. At the final weekend, the volunteers will have the opportunity to prepare the garden festival. This event is held regularly for friends of the DoNitra association, the village of Osinalice and participants of the courses given by DoNitra. There will be also different theatre and music performances. The event starts on Saturday and ends on Sunday afternoon.

Study part: Arts workshops (stone carving, forging, wood carving), international evenings organised by the volunteers, workshops and activities with local children are planned.
Leisure time: Cycling (there are 10 bicycles available), hiking, arts workshops, relaxing at a public swimming pool.
Accommodation/Food: In a reconstructed farm building. Bring your own sleeping bags. The volunteers will prepare their own meals from common resources.

Location: In the tiny village Osinalice in the middle of the protected landscape Kokorinsko.

Note: We prefer, if the volunteers are non-smokers and have a creative spirit (it would be great if you are fond of arts, music, circus, theatre). As we would like to learn about your motivation for taking part in the project, a motivation letter sent with the application form is required!