PROJECT: this will be the second time that we will work with the district Pays de Thongue, which is close to Concordias regional office in Pzenas. The goal this year is to continue the work which has been started last year along the banks of the river La Thongue by doing some environmental work. The volunteers will for example create an artificial pond for birds and other animals. The volunteers will be hosted in a little village called Alignan du Vent and they will be in contact with local young people. WORK: you will be involved in several environmental work activities. You will have to clean the vegetation and help create the pond (e.g. lining the pond). You will also have to pull out several species of intrusive plants. ACCOMMODATION: in tents in the campsite in Alignan du Vent (if you have a tent, you may bring it). LANGUAGE: English. LOCATION: you will be hosted in a little village called Alignan du Vent, in the middle of the vineyards, at about 20 km from Bziers. You will have many opportunities to visit the area around Pezenas and some other villages of the region. TERMINAL: Bziers train station then bus. SPECIAL REMARKS: bring gloves for work, warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag, a ground cloth, a backpack and your swimsuit. For more information have a look at http://www.cc-pays-de-thongue.fr/
Project : In the past, there used to be a still with lavender, a greenhouse, a vegetable garden and a hydraulic ram (mechanic system to provide the farm with potable water) at the Fa farm. These various installations allowed the farmers to diversify their agricultural activities in order to survive in this very isolated place. The project is to repair them in order to revive the history of the farm and to develop educational activities for our public. During last summer, the international volunteers rebuilt the greenhouse and created wooden steps to make these installations accessible to visitors. In this project the work will consist in the construction of a shelter above the hydraulic ram and building a frame and roof to protect the still with lavender. This project takes place at the beginning of the warm season, offering volunteers the opportunity to organize walks in the mountains, to visit the region and to discover the 'fte de la musique' (musical festival) taking place in June. Accommodation: in bedrooms of 5 to 6 people Location: the Fa Farm is located 3 km from the village of Le Saix, 18 km from Veynes Dvoluy and 30 km from Gap in Southern Alps of France Terminal: Veynes Dvoluy
PROJECT: The city of Montreuil-Sous-Bois is developing many projects towards young people. It owns a house in the Ardeche department, an exceptional site for swimming and outdoor activities that aims at hosting groups of children during holidays. For the second consecutive year, the city of Montreuil-Sous-Bois will host a group of volunteers in their holiday centre. This year the group of volunteers with 8 young people from Montreuil-Sous-Bois will work together in order to improve the house. This exchange will contribute to create social relations and cultural mix. WORK: You will improve green spaces under the supervision of a technical leader in the holiday centre in order to prepare the hosting of children in July and August. ACCOMMODATION: Under tents. LANGUAGE: English. LOCATION: Sampzon, Ardeche department. Village located 80 km from Montelimar in an exceptional place for swimming, canoeing and fishing. Starting point for hiking, riding and mountain biking. TERMINAL: Montelimar train station. Airport in Lyon or Paris. SPECIAL REMARKS: Bring working clothes, gloves and the most important a warm sleeping bag and a floor mattress.
Project: Saint Julien en Beauchne is a little village located in the Upper-Buch Valley, a very rural area on the road between Grenoble and Sisteron. The project aims at clearing and reopening footpaths around the village in order to improve the attractiveness of the village and its surroundings. During this international workcamp the volunteers will clear the vegetation along the paths, cut trees, paint signs to mark out the walks and do some masonry work on difficult junctures in order to make the walk safer. The volunteers will also take part in the organization of two local festivals in Saint Julien en Beauchne, the annual village festival and the fte de la musique (the annual music festival). This project is a good opportunity to discover rural lifestyle, meet local farmers and families. There are also many opportunities to visit the region and organize hikes in the mountains around. Accommodation: in tents, all the facilities available Location: Little village in the Alps, Saint Julien en Beauchne 6 km from the village of Lus La Croix Haute, 20 km from Veynes Terminal: Lus la Croix Haute
Project: The Leucate Pond is a pond situated at the border to the Mediterranean sea in south of France. It has two sources of fresh water but at the same time it is also connected to the sea by two channels. This sea-pond is maintained by different organisms such as the syndicate RIVAGE which works for the protection of this particular natural spot. The work of this workcamp will consist in removing invasive plants that threaten the balance of the pond's biotope: the witch's claw. Different visits and information meetings with local environmental structure officials will be organized for participants in order to discover the area and its challenges, raise awareness on this exceptional environment and the protection needs. Accommodation: in tents on a camping site, all the facilities provided Location: Leucate village at the sea side, 40 km from Perpignan and Narbonne Terminal: Leucate-La Franqui
PROJECT: The Parc Naturel Rgional du Vercors (Regional Nature Parc of Vercors) is one of the first natural reserve created in the region of Rhone Alpes. It provides more than 2500 km of hiking trails for all ardent hiking fans. This year for the 8th time you will be welcomed again and you can be sure to meet a friendly and openminded local population who will always be happy to greet. There will be lots of opportunities to participate in different outdoor actitvities like hiking, biking etc. WORK: For the first time you will participate in environmental works around the ruins of an old farm. Work will include the clearing and cleaning of nature (pruning of bushes and weeds). Besides you will be doing little building works (masonry) to strengthen the remains of the ruin. Be conscious of the fact that work can be physical demanding. LOCATION: The Association of local authorities of la Bourne lIsre is located 1h30 from South-East Lyon and about 45 min from Valence. Situated in the centre of the Vercors massif, this workcamp is made for nature and hiking lovers. ACCOMODATION: In a building provided by the community of Rencurel. LANGUAGE: English and French MEETING POINT: Saint-Marcellin Isre train station. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Work can be physical demanding. Bring good working and walking shoes and clothes, a backpack, warm clothes, a good sleeping bag, a waterproof windbreaker. For further information please consult the following site: http://parc-du-vercors.fr/fr_FR/index.php
The Project The city of Grigny is happy to host you for the third time in the heart of the Saint Lazare park, which is the place of organic vegetable farming. In partnership with employees of an intergration project of the organisation, specialized in learning vegetable farming, you will realise works for building an educational farm in a sustainable way. Web address www.grigny91.fr
Work:
The work In the long term, we want to set up an educational farm in the Saint Lazare park. The volunteers will take part in this project by building several living places for future animals (henhouses, rabbit places, bird cages). Volunteers will also be able to participate to the farming activity on the site. The activities On your arrival the animation team will give you many idea of activities. Your own ideas are welcome and any suggestions will be nice! Be imaginative! We expect that you participate in activities. The activities are decided together with the volunteers and the animation team. You will live a life experience as a group, do not forget it! This year again, volunteers will participate in the local community lake celebration which gather 5000 people.
Requirements:
Info This activity gathers both environmental awareness and sustainable development, and you also participate in the enhancement of a working place of a group with less opportunities.
Project: There is a small garden at Vaunires hosting center where the organization grows different varieties of plants. In autumn 2011, the international volunteer group built a wooden shelter and a greenhouse in order to develop farming activities over the year. During this project, the aim is now to build a rain water collector and an irrigation system for the garden and the greenhouse. This is the first step of a long term project aimed at improving the quality of our products and developing creative cooking activities with the groups coming on holidays at the center. This project offers the opportunity to meet young people from all over the world, discover rural lifestyle, go for walks in the mountains, visit some popular places in the region and share many festive moments with all the young people who stay at Vaunires. Accommodation: in tents, all facilities available Location: Vaunires village in the Alps, 7 km from St Julien en Beauchne village, 40km from Gap Terminal: Lus la Croix Haute
« The outside world did not interfere, because it seemed so distant, and so we spent our spare time getting to know each other and learning about each other countries', languages and cultures. Everyone was completely relaxed. This simply would not have been possible on any other type of holiday. VAP enabled me to have a truly memorable experience. »