Trsic is a small village famous as the birth place of Vuk Karadzic, the reformist of Serbian language and orthography. Today it is a place very much visited by tourists. The workcamp is a joint initiative of several local partner organizations working together on introducing the spirit of voluntarism and developing and improving rural and eco tourism in Trsic (www.kamp-trsic.org.rs). The goal is to educate local people and motivate them to be active citizens in preserving the nature and other values for the sake of generations to come. This is the forth year the camp is organized here, as the first three gave great results.
Work:
Volunteers will work on cleaning the woods from garbage; clearing the vegetation; marking the walking paths which are connecting Vuk’s house and 5km distant XIV century Tronosa monastery and making wooden benches and tables that would be placed along the path. This year especially the volunteers will prepare tracks for mountain bike races, organised for the first time by this initiative in the village. For its ultimate historical importance for the Serbian language this village has, students of Serbian and other Slavic languages are very welcome, but others interested in the culture or, simply, in environmental protection, are also welcome.
Accommodation:
In a house only 50m away from Vuk’s house, built in the same style, in the heart of the ethno village. Volunteers will prepare meals together with the host.
Location:
Trsic is situated close to Loznica in the western part of Serbia.
Terminal:
Belgrade
Special remarks:
Excursions to important cultural and historical points will be organized, together with visits to museums and one day for getting to know the children from the local school and participating in their special event. Participation of the local volunteers will be an essential part of the workcamp.
Special requirements:
Volunteers should be nature and culture lovers prepared for long walks and hard work.
Our local partner, Jastrebacki Trougao, organises a “Point to Point” type of mountain bike marathon at Mountain Jastrebac, one of the national natural resorts of outstanding beauty.
Work:
Volunteers will mark the tracks and put them into order for the mountain bike marathon that will be held on the 26th of June. Marathon has 3 different tracks (30km, 50km and 65km). The terrain we’ll prepare for the marathon is approximately 75km. Work considers removing the fallen trunks as well as cutting the weed and berry bushes out of the tracks, making point arrows and placing them on crossroads and specific places in the woods, adapting one mountaineers track into MTB track (2km). Also, we need to put some plastic straps as guide lines for competitors and to collect them after the marathon is over. Volunteers will be placed at check points and in Feeding zones offering refreshments to competitors.
Accommodation:
Accommodation and meals are provided in Mountain home on Mt. Jastrebac. There are beds with sheets but it is recommended to bring your sleeping beg along for possible trips and sleepovers in the open. Tents will be provided if needed.
Location:
Jastrebac Mountain is close to Krusevac, 190km South-East of Belgrade.
Terminal:
Belgrade
Special remarks:
we don’t expect hard work and the hardest thing to do during the camp will be riding a bike what should not be a problem for at least recreational riders.
Special requirements:
It would be very good if the volunteers have some history in MTB and to bring their bike along because most of the time will be spent on bikes so it is better for them to have a bike they are used to. They could also rent a bike on Jastrebac or in Krusevac. Price for renting a bike is 50€ for the duration of whole camp. Renting a bike also includes spare tubes and mechanical services. Helmet is not necessary but it is strongly recommended to have one. Price for renting a helmet is 1€ for a day or 10€ for whole camp.
The village Zlakusa finds its place between the beautiful mountains of Zlatibor, Tara and Mokra gora. It is famous for its pottery, 60km of marked hiking paths through stunning nature, rivers rich in salmons, trumpet players and well preserved ethno villages presenting the highest form of rural tourism to its guests. Zlakusa, ranked as the most successful point of rural tourism in Serbia, will host this workcamp for the third time. Visit www.zlakusa.com
Work:
Volunteers will clean river banks, the entrance to the village and footpaths from garbage. They will mark footpaths and place garbage bins, remove weeds and bushes and plant flowers. They will help in organising the old crafts and folklore festival.
Accommodation:
in fully equipped houses of the ethno–village. Food would be prepared by the host. Volunteers will have the possibility to cook if they want.
Location:
Zlakusa is 12km far from Uzice in the western part of Serbia.
Terminal:
Belgrade
Special remarks:
Volunteers have the possibility to participate in a course of traditional pottery and Serbian folk dances, so they might perform in front of the audience! One day would be reserved for raspberry picking and baking delicious homemade volunteer pies!
The main goal of this project is to arrange parts of the Sport Centre: collecting the garbage of the green areas and painting the walls, and working at public town sites
Accomodation & food:
in the Sport Centre Gradnulica . (Beds and bathrooms provided)
Location & leisure:
Zrenjanin is situated in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, 50km northeast from Novi Sad
Renovation and maintenance of the village school, arrangement of the schoolyard. Some work will be done inside of the building as well. Cleaning the path from village to school and placing garbage bins along, creating wood steps on steamy ground, benches, etc has to be done as well.
Accomodation & food:
In the ethno houses (the whole household is made of wood and material from nature i visit www.velikigrabovski.com). Volunteers will cook for themselves in shifts with help and interest of the local people.
Location & leisure:
Grab is a small village in the western part of Serbia, about 12km from Cacak, 150 km from Belgrade, and just a stone throw from Guca. Volunteers will be given a chance to learn about old crafts such as knitting baskets, and will learn about ways of sustainable development. Local volunteers will be involved in the work as well
Requirements:
Skills and interest in landscape architecture and decoration are welcome
restoration of old bicycles, donated from the people of Valjevo i cleaning, parts replacement, painting etc. Besides, the volunteers will build various info panels, sign posts including eco-messages along the cycling track
Accomodation & food:
in a house located on the quay of the river Kolubara, in central area of the town, as part of the newly built complex with kitchen, bathrooms, computer centre and cafe club. Food will be prepared by the organizers with the possibility for volunteers to take part
Location & leisure:
Valjevo approx. 100 km southwest from Belgrade
Requirements:
Participants should have basic skills in bicycle repair
Age:
18-99
Location:
Valjevo
Language(s):
English
Airport:
BEG: Beograd (Beograd, Serbia)
Trainstation:
Valjevo
Extra Fees:
€15.00 (Euros)This project is suitable for disabled volunteers
maintaining of the local nursery garden Brest, and cleaning nearby Danube beach. Volunteers will be cleaning the area from the garbage, pruning bushes and branches and planting seedlings
Accomodation & food:
in the building of Stara Pazova nursery garden Brest (beds and bathrooms provided). Volunteers will prepare food by themselves with material provided
Location & leisure:
Stara Pazova is situated at 30km from Belgrade. An excursion to Novi Sad and local vineyards will be organised
Volunteers will be included in the project Return of the Ibis of wet meadows revitalization by removing tree branches and clearing other vegetation. This will be the 14th camp we have organized here since 1997; so far because of our activities several bird species have returned and the working site has the richest bird fauna in the reserve. Some work on a medieval fortress as well as on preparation of regatta on Sava river will be done
Accomodation & food:
in the house in Kupinovo village, sleeping on mats. Food will be prepared by the locals.Lectures on wetlands and Obedska Bara s recent environmental problems will be given. Volunteers will participate in celebration of village festival on 12th of August (St Angelina Day). Volunteers can also swim in the lake and the river Sava, watch the birds and explore the beautiful nature of the area
Location & leisure:
Obedska Bara (www.obedskabara.rs) is located 50km from Belgrade and 75 km from Novi Sad
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »