What is workcamp?

Workcamps

Are usually carried out for two weeks, and in these two weeks a group from 5 to 20 volunteers from all around the world helps with a project of public interest. A workcamp can be chosen by country or by type of project.

Workcamps happen almost everywhere

Its possible to chose up to 94 countries from Europe, Asia and other. The organizer of the project assures food and accommodation for the volunteers. The volunteer pays his/her own travel to the place where the workcamp takes place, administrative fee, insurance, and the pocket money for his/her own things.

What to expect as tasks

Workcamps are diverse enough: from ecology, through art and protection of heritage, passing through work with mentally challenged people as well as organization of cultural events.

Normally, the work in a workcamp is divided by working five days a week, usually six hours. But workcamps are not just about work! Travelling, volunteering, sports and most of all, fun have presence guaranteed on the programme.

Who can join?

Everyone motivated to participate with energy, time and ability necessary, not forgetting the responsibility that lies in a volunteer. Basic knowledge in a foreign language (usually the camps are English speaking as English is the Lingua Franca in Europe). Then, to be over 18,  although Czechs can apply for a Czech workcamp when 16 years old. There are also special camps abroad where its possible to apply when 16, with the family agreement. Further information on this subject will be given on the 26th of February.

How the workcamp is organized?

It is important to know how workcamp is organized. For organizing workcamp a lot of financial and human resourses involved.Organiyation of the workcamp in Europe can cost from 2000 to 4000 Euro. This amount is usually allocated by thehosting organization and covers the cost of accomoddation, meals and cultural program for the volunteers. This confirms the fact that volonterism is not cheap labor and the program is for cultural-social exchange. Therefore it is important to understand your responsibility in the hosting organization.

The volunteer mast be at his/her own expense to get to the camp: pay for travel and visa formalities. This principle is a big plus, because it provides an opportunity for many volunteers to partycipate in international projects.

People and structures involved in the organization of workcamp

Sending organization – the organization, which is responsible for sending your application abroad

Hosting organization – a partner organization, which makes the invitation for a visa and coordinates a lot of workcamps?

Hosting project – a place where you live and work.

The leader of the camp (campleader) is leader of a group of volunteers responsible for the life within the group. Campleader – a volunteer who was in several camps party who has the information about the region, has all the immediate contacts, knows the country. Very often the campleader is a citizen of that country, which runs the camp. But sometimes there are accepted foreign campleaders. The task of the campleader is the organization of work and life in the camp.

Local project coordinator – person who supervises the work of volunteers, usually it is person from the hosting project

Conditions in the workcamp

Living conditions are always very simple, but it all depends on the organization, which makes the camp. Accommodation may include: a youth hostel, tent, belonging to the camp house. Very often volunteers are asked to bring a sleeping bag, as the hosting organization can not provide beds and bedding. Please read the description of the camp and living conditions carefully, to avoid unpleasant surprises when you arrive to the camp.

What to expect/ do not expect from the workcamp?

What to expect?	What do not expect?
Ability to do not only participate in a planned program of the camp, but also initiate some moments, such as the organization of free time.	Everything will be organized and planned for you.
To share experiences, photos, ideas throughout the project. To be open to communication.	Do not expect a “summer camp”, where everything is planed, organized and decided.
A small cultural program.	Widely organized a cultural program. Do not expect that the hosting organization will pay for all tours.
Getting to know the region, where the camp is situated.	Do not expect that you will organize an excursion to the capital if the camp is far away.
Have a planned program of work.	Do not expect that the campleader will solve all your problems
Prepare and taste traditional dishes of different countries.	Do not expect very expensive products and food.
Be flexible to possible changes in the camp program.
To share your culture.	Do not expect that everyone will understand you, even if your speak fluently.
Have a good time together.	Do not expect that the campleader will plan all your free time.
Find your new friends from around the world.
Ability to live independently.	Do not expect luxury living conditions. This is not a tourist trip:)
There will be a place and time where you will meet all the volunteers. Up to this point you need to get yourself. Read carefully the information sheet.	Do not expect that you will be met at the airport.
Dates of camp are fixed, this means that all the volunteers come to the first day of the camp and leave the last day.	Do not expect, that you will be accommodated in the camp, if you arrive a few days earlier or leaving later. Advise to take care of the hostel in advance.