Preserving the bats in Mecklenburg
       Zislow, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania          September 11 - September 25, 2010

Volunteer project: During this project, you can get involved in helping endangered bats and at the same time learn about species protection and Mecklenburg’s forests. Together with the onsite foresters, you will look for adequate nesting places, and build and install bat houses. The hiking paths also need to be improved. In this project, you will improve your knowledge about nature and make an important contribution to species diversity.

Leisure time: With forests, lakes, and pathways, this is a workcamp for those who want to get their last taste of fall. If the weather holds, you can spend time on the grounds of the hostel, play sports, sit around the fire, or go for a swim in the lake. Activities in the area are easily reached by public transportation. On the weekends, feel free to take trips to the Baltic Sea, to Rostock, or to Schwerin.

Language: English

Accommodation: You will be staying in a school youth hostel.

Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania; 70 km from Schwerin, 85 km from Rostock, 150 km from Berlin.

Train station: Malchow

Airport: Berlin, Hamburg, Lübeck

Age range: 16 - 26 years old
 

 

Rebuilding a nature trail and cleaning the banks of a recently restored river in Kehl
       Kehl, Baden-Wurttemberg          September 18 - October 9, 2010

Volunteer project: For the past eight years the municipality of Kehl has asked international volunteer groups to help with environmental protection in their town. There are two tasks to fulfill, which will be explained by professional supervisors.

The first task will be the rebuilding and renovation of a nature trail. Definitely volunteers will learn a lot about typical vegetation and its ecological richness.
Secondly, the banks of a small river need to get cleared from rubbish, grass and bushes to prevent flooding the town. In former times, the river was redirected to run in concrete tunnels and it was biologically dead. The municipality has removed all the concrete, allowing the small river to flow through the town once again over a length of 3 km. There are now many plants and animals living in and by the river. Volunteers will clear the banks of the river and cut the grass and bushes. They will work with machines and it may be physically hard and muddy. This is a good project to learn about nature protection and conservation.

Language: English

Accommodation: The group will live in a youth centre where all facilities are provided. There is a kitchen and different rooms to stay and spend time in. It might happen that volunteers will sleep in big tents in the garden (in case of cold nights they can move into the house). You should be prepared for this and bring a warm sleeping bag! Be open to get in contact with the local youth since they are your hosts and neighbours throughout the project!

Location: Kehl is a medium sized town on the bank of the river Rhine facing the French-German border. The Alsatian town of Strasbourg is situated on the other side of the river Rhine. It will be interesting to visit the beautiful town of Strasbourg, crossing the border to France. The youth centre is only a five minute walk from the inner city of Kehl. Other interesting outings can be the Black Forest and the nature of the southern area in general.

Train station: Kehl

Airport: Strasbourg (10 km), Frankfurt (150 km)

Age range: 18 - 30 years old (exceptions for volunteers over 30 can be made)
 

 

Environmental and renovation activities in the Swabian Albes
       Mariaberg, Baden-Wurttemberg          October 2 - October 16, 2010

Volunteer project: Shortly before arriving to Gammertingen, you will find an impressive building on top of the hill to your right – an old monastery towering over the surrounding hills and forests of the Swabian Albes. This old monastery is the centerpiece of a quarter of Gammertingen called Mariaberg! It is a beautiful place where a diverse range of people – young and old ones – come together, live, learn and work. Not only does it hold kindergartens, schools and working places for disabled but also provides a daily life with market square, swimming pool, restaurants and gym halls like a small town. We ask you to come with an open heart and mind!

Together with the gardener of the initiative, you will work on the renovation of a part of a walking path around Mariaberg. More precisely you will help clearing a field where a serpentine path will be set up and support environmental and renovation work around the old mill that is situated outside of the village.

Language: English

Accommodation: Accommodation will be in a gym hall in the centre of Mariaberg close to all needed facilities like shower, etc. You will certainly have access to the swimming pool of the quarter and have the opportunity to use different other facilities.

Location: As mentioned, Mariaberg is a part of the town of Gammertingen situated on top of a hill around an old monastery. Gammertingen is situated 80 km south of Stuttgart, amidst the Swabian Albes (not Alps!!) within spectacular nature – a beautiful mountain chain. Without a doubt you will find enough to do in Mariaberg itself (swimming pool, barbecue, gym halls, bowling, restaurants and café!) but the region with its nature, typical Swabian villages and small towns is really inviting as well.

Train station: Gammertingen

Airport: Stuttgart, Karlsruhe (Baden-Baden)

Age range: 18 - 30 years old (exceptions for volunteers over 30 can be made)