This spring workcamp will take place in the small Moravian village of Tvarozna Lhota, situated in the White Carpathian Mountains, already for 12th time. The region is famous for its folk traditions and its beautiful countryside. In the outskirts of the village, the local NGO “INEX-SDA Bile Karpaty” runs a small centre for rural development and sustainability called Cottage Travicna. The centre also hosts an outdoor museum with traditional cottages, some farm animals, a herbal garden and traditional fruit trees, showing how rural life in the mountains used to look like there in the past. The aim of the workcamp is to maintain the area of Travicna after winter and collect herbs for herbal teas.
Work:
The work will be manual. Firstly, volunteers will work in the outdoor museum, mainly repairing fences, making hay, cleaning, planting and fencing trees, creating play structures for children and weeding the herb garden. Secondly, volunteers will collect herbs from the surrounding meadows, which will then be used for the production of local herbal teas.
Study part:
Spring in Moravia is full of folkloric events such as erection of the maypole (central point of the village made of tall decorated wood). There will be many opportunities to learn about local products, local farming, the history, traditions and potential of the region.
Leisure time:
Trips to the countryside and to folklore events, visits to different sights in the surrounding towns and villages can be organized.
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:
a small village of Tvarozna Lhota (900 inhabitants) in the region of Southern Moravia (bus stop in the village, next train stop Straznice and Veseli nad Moravou). Latest train from Prague at 15:43.
You will take part in two types of activities: maintenance and educational. Maintenance activities at the Bees Education Centre include repairing and maintenance of exhibits in the museum, helping with construction of a wooden roofing, painting, and installation of educational signs. The biggest part will be the educational activities. You will help with the preparation and organization of the Youth Summer School of Beekeepers. You will teach English, organize competitions, and attend a day trip. You will also present their country of origin at a public event called At the Bee Kingdom and during a local dance evening
Accomodation & food:
In 2 rooms at the facilities of local firefighters (200 m away from the museum of beekeeping). There is a bathroom. Showers are in the sport area (5 min walking). Beds with mattresses will be provided but a sleeping bag is required. Lunch will be provided but you will prepare breakfast and dinner. A kitchen is available at the Bees Centre.
Location & leisure:
Chlebovice (800 inhabitants), Northern Moravia. The village itself is located 3km away from the city of Fridek-Mistek (60 000 inhabitants) and 25km from Czech third biggest city of Ostrava which is known for its museums of hard industry and mining industry. The region is also famous for the Beskydy Mountains.Study part: Getting to know beekeepers work, introduction to the acquisition of bee products and their impact on human health, work in colonies. Presentations of different cultures during the above mentioned events, meeting local community.Leisure time: Diverse free-time activities are planned that include trips, workshops and others.You can make a trip to Pustevny (mountains), observation tower Panorama, Hukvaldy Castle, go to the Tarzanie outdoor centre. There is a possibility to use the local sport area.
The workcamp is organized in cooperation with the local NGO Cmelak - Friends of Nature Society whose activities are focused on the support of a sustainable way of life, practical nature protection and environmental education. They restore the natural woods on specific pieces of land and try to save endangered tree species. They also maintain wetlands. The goal of the workcamp is to help with practical nature protection in several different locations that Cmelak is in charge of. Cmelak has organized so far 12 adult workcamps; this one will be their first teenage workcamp.
Work:
There are 3 different types of work to be done...
1) work in the forestlands (weeding small trees in the forest, planting of seedlings, work in the tree nurseries including preparation and weeding of beds) and grass mowing in Temna street; 2) maintenance in the wetlands (pulling up the typha, cutting grass, cutting reed followed by raking; removing of reed and other plants from water pools; cutting out of wood; possibly also collection of garbage); 3) maintenance of the spring (restoration of spring barrages, making new water pools, cutting an raking the grass).
The work will be manual and physically demanding. Be ready to work outdoors, in wet areas, under all types of weather (rain, wind). Waterproof clothes with long sleeves and long trousers, a raincoat and rubber boots are necessary.
Study part:
Educational aspects of the camp will focus on forms of forest management, development of forests after the arrival of men, current problems in the management of nature protection areas or the topic of water containment in nature and the prevention of floods. Excursions to the New Virgin Forest and the wetlands are also planned. You will also have a chance to organize some activities for/with the local community.
Leisure time:
You can go hiking in the beautiful surrounding landscape, visit castles and climb the Jested – the highest peak in the region. The city of Liberec, where you will be accommodated, offers many possibilities to enjoy culture. A weekend trip to Bohemian Paradise or Jizera Mountains is possible.
Accommodation/Food:
1st week - Scout base in Liberec. 2nd week - cabins very close to the wetlands. Both accommodations have bathroom with showers, kitchen and dining room. They are clean but with basic conditions (no washing mashine). Bring your own sleeping bag! You will prepare meals on your own. You are invited to prepare traditional meals from your country. Bring some special ingredients that might be hard to get.
Location:
Liberec and other areas of the Jizera Mountains in the north of Bohemia. You will use mini-buses to get to the place of work in the surrounding forests and on foot to get to the wetlands.
Meeting point:
Liberec
Note:
We are looking for volunteers who like nature and are eager to learn new thing about nature protection. This project is realized with the support of Johnson Controls.
Requirements:
Parental authorization and medical form is strictly required! The forms will be provided after the acceptance to the workcamp.
The work will be manual and outdoor. The tasks will include reparation of fences for animals and gardens, reparation of traditional houses and parts of play structures for children, general maintenance of the surrounding area, decorating. These tasks will vary according to the current needs. For the event Ethnosalas (the last Sunday of the camp), you will help with organization and will prepare activities for the local kids. If the weather conditions allow, you will also collect herbs in the surrounding meadows and in the nearby forest, herbs which will be used for the production of organic teas. Please note that the weather can be sometimes very hot and that you may have to work in the sun. Bring protective creams and a hat.
Accomodation & food:
In the attic of 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. You will prepare your meals together i a small kitchen is available in the living area. Bring your national recipes.
Location & leisure:
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. The meeting time is usually in the afternoon. Please note it takes at least 1 hour to get there from Prague. The exact info will be provided in the infosheet.Study part: A guided tour along the nature-trail Oskeruse (traditional regional fruit). Learn more about local products, organic farming, the history and natural potential of the region. Workshops on batik with traditional colours are planned. You can take part in some folkloric events that will be organized in the village and try on traditional folkloric dresses.Leisure time: Trips to various sights of the regional cities of Straznice, Uherske Hradiste and Skalice, trip to Bata canal, games and activities in the outdoor adventure park in the cottage Travicna and trips to the close-by countryside and sights; swimming in the lake.
The work will be manual and sometimes demanding, it will take place at several locations. In Skalka u Doks you will for example: help with the reconstruction of the object and cleaning, collect firewood from a forest, shovel compost, take care of permaculture garden and meadows with protected flora, rake grass clippings and restore overgrown public path in the village. In the nearby village Bo345;ejov you will: clean the church, help with preparation of Sunday pilgrim mass, clean the cemetery surrounding the church, esp. the abandoned graves of the ancestors of the displaced inhabitants. Bring proper work shoes, appropriate clothes and a raincoat.
Accomodation & food:
In the main building of the homestead that is under reconstruction. Sleeping on mattresses, you must bring your own sleeping bag. There is a shower with hot water, washbasin, toilet, kitchen on outdoor fireplace. The volunteers will prepare their own meals; you can share your national cuisine, particularly at dinners. Bring recipes from you home.
Location & leisure:
Little village Skalka u Doks (170 inhabitants) and neighbourhood. The village is located in a Protected Landscape Area near the Macha Lake which is a popular tourist attraction. If we work at more distant places, we will take you there by car.Study part: Getting to know local history and culture (visit of the castles Doksy and Houska), movie screenings, musical evening with the locals, Pilgrim Roman Catholic Mass on Sunday 24/7 in the Church of Bo345;ejov (which we will have been cleaning the week before), meeting local permaculture community, farming in harmony with nature, presentation of spiritual tradition of countries of the volunteers, discussion with the local deacon and parish priest. Leisure time: Bathing on the beaches of Macha Lake, evening activities on the beaches and in the town Doksy, meditative walks in nature, mushroom and blueberry picking, closing event at a fisherman s hut on the banks of the Macha Lake with a steamboat sunset cruise.
Firstly, the work will be done in MUNA and will be connected with the production of clay plaster. You will help to produce the correct mixture composed of local clay, bits of straw and sand. Under the supervision you will try to put all the layers of clay plaster. A part of the work will be also preparation and moving of material, work with wood, cleaning of dirty containers for clay. Secondly, the work will be focused on scything and removing of grass from the protected meadows. This work will be physically very demanding. You will also help to prepare the culture event Folkloric Scything . It will involve local community in scything together the meadows. Please bring some traditional folkloric dress from your country for the event (or a white plain shirt, trousers/long skirt and a hat).
Accomodation & food:
In a big tent on mattresses in the partly renovated wooden building in the middle of the forest. A warm sleeping bag is needed. Access to electricity is limited; water is delivered in barrels. Toilets are dry (outhouse). The showers are situated 20 min walk away from the accommodation. You will cook for yourselves. It s possible you will move once during the camp to be closer to the meadows.
Location & leisure:
MUNA Mikulovice, near Jesenik, and several protected meadows. The MUNA is vast; you will be able to use bicycles to move around. The surrounding countryside is mountainous and has beautiful nature. When working at the meadows, transportation will be provided.Study part: Excursions and trips around the region of Jesenicko; presentation of Muna by the head of the organization; practical technical and crafts skills (work with natural clay plaster, hand-making of furniture) by a specialized lecturer; meeting with local people and local NGOs.Leisure time: Discovering Muna; visiting a local spa; vanished village in Rychlebske Mountains; protected area of Rejviz; towns of Mikulovice, Zlate Hory and Jesenik, etc. For some of the activities, local people will be also invited to join.
The work will be manual and physically demanding. It will take place in different locations, mainly in green areas. You will help with cleaning out of an old barn, construction of a little pond (digging), founding of flowerbeds, maintaining paths in the park, planting of trees and bushes, cleaning the courtyard. There will also be a possibility to participate in the organization of the local cultural and theatre festival Domazlicky Kulturovar 2016 . If you are interested you can also try creating a piece of land art. Please bring a raincoat and good working shoes. Be ready to work in all kinds of weather.
Accomodation & food:
In a youth home located in the historical centre of Domalice on beds equipped with bed linen. There are several bathrooms and an equipped kitchen. A pair of volunteers will prepare meals every day.
Location & leisure:
Arboretum (area of 4 ha) in Domalice, south-west of the Czech Republic. Another working place will be in the park nearby the castle Horsovski Tin and in the area of little village Pivo328; (in a local valuable alley). Transportation between sites will be arranged by public transportation or on bikes provided by the hostStudy part: Getting to know the unique local folklore, landscape and specific crafts, particularly by visiting museums, attending workshops, international evenings and excursions. Within the festival Domazlicky Kulturovar 2016 there will be an opportunity for you to prepare and present a short performance (musical or other) that is related to your culture and is based on your own creativity.Leisure time: Chodsko region offers many natural beauties (Nature Protected Area Cesky Les ), sports activities (tennis, football, karate, cycling, swimming-). There are also other interesting towns near Domalice, e.g. Klatovy (catacombs) or Pilsen (European Capital of Culture 2015).
The work will be manual and will take place in different public spaces in different villages (forest, nature path, church, garden, etc.). The tasks will range from gardening, cutting and raking grass to cleaning and maintenance. With the exception of work in the church, most of it will be done outdoors, in green areas. Volunteers will work 1-2 days in each location of the micro-region. The tasks can change according to current needs of the communities involved and the weather conditions. Take suitable working clothes, good working boots and rain-gear.
Accomodation & food:
1st week (Otrocin) in a big room of a football club. Mattresses will be provided but bring your own sleeping bag There is a common room for eating (but not a kitchen) and a bathroom. Be ready for basic conditions. 2nd week (Vidzin) in a hostel (in rooms; kitchen, bathroom and common room available). You will prepare breakfasts and snacks on your own. Lunches and dinners will be provided in local pubs.
Location:
two small villages Otrocin and Vidzin. Two different communities of the micro-region Slavkovsky les and a town of Becov nad Teplou (the site of the botanical garden). You will be transported between the locations by cars.
Study part:
Excursion with a lecturer to the nature protected reserve (NPR Slavkovsky les), taking part in a culture event in Becov Botanical Garden (festival Planet Earth ), music festival in the village of Utery, ceramics workshop and linocut, movie night with the theme of the period after WWII in the region, international cooking.
Leisure time:
You can visit famous spa towns in the region (e.g. Carlsbad/Karlovy Vary or Marianske lazne), do some sports, go hiking in the surrounding countryside or organize non-formal meeting with local community. It is possible to have a campfire, go swimming, etc. Bring also some of your favourite local recipes and games.
« I can say that the best things about the workcamp and this whole experience were the chance of making a real difference to the lives of very needy children. This is an extremely valuable project where volunteers can have a massive impact. Also the possibility of learning a huge amount about a country so different from our own. I learnt ten times as much by carrying out a workcamp than I would ever do backpacking. »
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