Workcamp Switzerland Programme 2014

WORKCAMP SWITZERLAND – PROGRAMME 2014

WORKCAMP SWITZERLAND – PROGRAMME

CONTACT:

Workcamp Switzerland

Badenerstrasse 129

8004 Zürich

Phone:+41 (0)43 317 19 30

Fax:+41 (0)43 317 17 21

Email: (general information)

Outgoing officer:Ms. Manuela Christandl:

Incoming officer:Mr. Ruedi Roth:

Benefit and aim of Workcamp Switzerland

Workcamp Switzerland is organising Workcamps and sending volunteers into national and international Workcamps. Young people are working beneficially to support local projects in the social, ecological or cultural field. In the meantime the volunteers get the opportunity to get to know other countries, to meet people from different cultures and to learn something from the society and the environment they’re working for.

The aim of these workcamps is not only to support needy projects but to learn from the intercultural exchange. It’s a way to fight against racism and it advances young people to act social, to think globally and to get education through the work and travel experience. And it is an experience for life that the volunteers will never forget. A workcamp means unconventional holidays, a memorable time far away from the tourist destinations, to get to know culture and the inhabitant of a region very closely and to work for a good purpose.

International Workcamps

The workcamp you are going to join is organised by an association who is part of the international youth network Alliance. The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations ( promotes intercultural education, understanding and peace through voluntary service. International Voluntary Service (IVS) strive for a fairer world, one that is more sustainable, more healthy and with more balanced resources and social justice, that will lead toward the development of people, communities, their happiness and solidarity.

The Alliance, also through the Workcamps, is implementing an international Sustainability Campaign, aimed at spreading the principles of environmental sustainability and at raising active citizenship committed with a fairer society. Being aware of the delicate relationship between human beings and the surrounding environment, we invite all actors - volunteers, camp leaders, organisers – to reflect upon their impact on local communities as well as their role in our global society; we are all part of the same wonderful earth and have the responsibility of safeguarding the natural resources it offers.

Workcamp Switzerland and Access 4 All

Workcamp Switzerland was foundedas an association in 2004. It is politically and confessional neutral. Workcamp is now (since November 2012) a member of the international network “Alliance of European Voluntary Services Organisation”.

Since 2011 year Workcamp Switzerland wants to integrate people with any kind of social, physical or mental deficits. We experienced in our Workcamps that it’s a benefit for all participants to mix people with different backgrounds in a practical, non formal environment. For young adults with any kind of handicap the beneficial work can be a chance to get into a working process and to strengthen the self confidence. That’s why we open our projects for Volunteers with fewer opportunities and support the campaign “Access 4 All”, run by the Alliance which aim is to promote the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in international workcamps. The Access 4 All Campaign recognizes that taking part in an international volunteer project can play an important role in the personal and social development of all volunteers and aims to make this opportunity available to a wider range of participants. The Campaign also recognizes that all participants can benefit when a workcamp is made up of a diverse group of volunteers. It means that, when taking part in a workcamp, you will have the opportunity to have a group of volunteers as diverse as the society we live in.

In the year 2014 Workcamp Switzerland offers several places for Volunteers with fewer opportunities and we organise “Access 4 All Workcamps” in Switzerland who are open for young adults with physical, mental or social deficits next to our classical Workcamps. We will organise three Access 4 All Workcamps and we also offer a MTV position for a young adult with fewer opportunities (unemployed, from poor neighbourhood).

Starting date for placements: We will start to accept Volunteers after the Technical Meeting on Monday the 17th of March 2014.

Important Information about the workcamps

Expectations:As a volunteer don’t expect the Workcamps to be a holiday camp where you come to relax and enjoy your time. The main part of the Workcamp is “work”. Don’t expect luxurious accommodations. It’s usually basic and simple.

Starting date for placements: We will start to accept Volunteers after the Technical Meetingon Monday the 17thof March 2014.

Work:The volunteers will work around 6 to 8 hours a day. Usually the weekends are off.

Free time Activities:The volunteers have to pay for any sightseeing trips themselves. There might be some offered and paid free time activity by chance.

Language: Normally the Workcamp language will be English. But this year again several Workcamps will take place where it’s good to have some additional language skills (French or German).

Insurance:The volunteers are responsible to organize their own health insurance and any other insurance they might need when they travel to Switzerland. We have an Insurance for third party liability.

Important Information about Switzerland

Geography: Switzerland is a landlocked country with the alpine massive in the middle of Europe. Switzerland has boarders to Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and France. The capitol is Berne. The scenery in Switzerland is very diverse and beautiful.

Language and Culture: Switzerland is multicultural. In regions around cities the amount of foreigners is pretty high. The average of foreign people in Switzerland is about 25% of the entire population. The four official languages are Swiss German, French, Italian and a language called “Rätoromanisch”. Traditional dishes are cheese fondue, raclette and potatoes. Switzerland is more then bancs, chocolate, clocks and high living expenses. The young population is open against different cultures and in the cities there is a wide range of cultural events going on. Even though Switzerland has a high living standard there are poor people living here.

Climate: The climate in different regions of Switzerland varies. The south part of Switzerland (Tessin) and also the western part of Switzerland (French part) is mild and Mediterranean while in the mountains it can be freezing cold. In the mountains there is even snow in summer.

Federal System: Switzerland is a democracy which consists of 26 independent cantons with their own languages/ dialects and laws. The representation of the people is the Federal Assembly with the council of States and the National Council. The head of state is the President of the Federal Council. The government consists of seven Swiss Federal Councils who are responsible for one department. Every four years they get elected again.

Economy: Switzerland is a highly developed industry nation. Nearly half of the employed persons are working in industrial firms or trading enterprises. They also work in the fields of agriculture and forestry. Like in other European countries economical problems have grown since the 90ies. The jobless figures increased and the gross domestic product got smaller. Besides microtechnology and pharmaceutical companies, bancs and insurances have their head quarters in Zurich, Geneva or Basel.

Currency: The currency in Switzerland is Swiss francs sfR/ CHF. Credit cards and EC Maestrocards are accepted in many places, such as the airport, railway stations, in shops, restaurants or hotels. EURO are not accepted everywhere and exchange rate is maybe not too good. It’s always helpful to have some cash with you for emergencies.

Security: Switzerland is one of the most save countries in Europe. In crowds of people and in railway stations you have to watch out for grifters and thieves. Switzerland is ideal for travelling as a woman, because most places are not dangerous. Late at night you shouldn’t’ walk around in empty, dark streets.

WS14FP 16/06/14 – 28/06/14 GRISONS CAMP ENVI/A4A

PROJECT

The house Fontana Passugg on the ground „Riedliswiese“ in Passugg-Araschgen is a hotel for ordinary tourists and at the same time a centre for cultural and educative belongings and a meeting place for people with impaired hearing. The house was built at the end of the 19th century. For several years the place was a well-known health resort. In 1983 Dorothea Brüesch, the last inheritor, decided that the house should be used for deaf people and people with impaired hearing.

WORK

The aim of this Workcamp is to clean the surrounding after the long snowy winter. Volunteers will prepare the house and the surrounding for the main season and will help out in the hotel (kitchen, rooms). The main tasks of the volunteers are: garden- and forest work, house and kitchen work. During the workcamp there will be a sightseeing trip to Chur with a translator in sign language.

ACCOMMODATION

The volunteers will sleep in dormitories in the house Fontana or the guest house „Alpenblick“. The rooms are cosy. A cook from the pension will prepare the meals for the Volunteers. Everyone has to help to set the table, cleaning and doing the dishes. There is a common-room to meet each other, a library and internet access.

LOCATION

Passugg-Araschgen is a small village about ten minutes by bus from Chur. The place is surrounded by grasslands, forests and mountains and is situated very idyllic. The close by town Chur is a typical, small Swiss town and the oldest town in Switzerland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The workcamp in Passugg-Araschgen is an„Access 4 All“-project and is therefore open for people with any kind of handicap or without handicapand with no age restriction (18+). We expect a certain kind of independence. The area is not suitable for people in wheel chairs.

It’s helpful to be interested in people with impaired hearing, because the group will be in contact with deaf people. We want to make steps towards the integration of people with any kind of handicaps into the society and to strengthenthe social competences.

Volunteers will mostly work outside that’s why they should bring along warm water proofed clothes and good shoes to work.

AIRPORT

The next airports are Zurich or Basel.

LANGUAUGES

English / German / sign language

WS14BINN 28/06/14 – 12/07/14 NATURE TRAILS ENVI

PROJECT

In the year 2002 the communities of Binn, Ernen and Grengiols started the project „landscape parc Binntal“. Nine years later in 2011 the nature parc got the label „regional parc of national importance“. The landscape parc Binntal is therefore the first nature parc in the canton of Valais. In the regional nature parcs the protection and the caring of valuable living biotopes and remarkable beautiful landscapes get combined with the economic development. Important duties of these parcs are:

• Conservation and improvement of the quality of the nature and the landscape
• Strengthening of sustainable economy
• Raising awareness and environmental education
• Management and communication

WORK

The main work of the Workcamp is to cleanup work on grasslands and alpine pastures and the installation of hiking paths in the country parc Binntal. Before the hiking season will start, the International Volunteers help to clean the hiking paths and to mark them.

ACCOMMODATON

The Volunteers will either sleep in a holiday flat or similar or in dormitories in a civil protection shelterin the village of Binn close from the working place. The group will have a budget for the food and will prepare all the meals themselves. The Volunteers will also be responsible that the accommodation is clean and tidy. The accommodation is simple.

LOCATION

The valley of Binn is also called «the valley of the secret treasuries» and is famous for it’s richness of minerals. Also the wildlife is multifaceted. The pretty mountain village Binn lies above 1‘400 meters over the sea. The village has national importance and got awarded with the price of places with imporant cultural heritages in 1992.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Because the Volunteers will work outside all the time, they need to bring warm, robust working clothes (water proofed), trekking shoes (suitable for the mountains) and hand gloves (strong working gloves).

AIRPORT

The next airports are Geneva, Basel, Zurich or Milano.

LANGUAGE

English/ some German

WS14CU01 06/04/14 – 20/04/14SPRING CAMPEDU/KITCH

WS14CU02 20/04/14 – 03/05/14 SPRING CAMP EDU/KITCH

WS14CU0329/06/14 – 13/07/14 SUMMER CAMP EDU/KITCH

WS14CU0413/07/14 – 26/07/14 SUMMER CAMPEDU/KITCH

WS14CU0528/09/14 – 18/10/14 AUTUMN CAMP EDU/KITCH

PROJECT

The goal of the group “fRilingue” is to offer teenagers (age: 10 -18 years) language camps. The aim of “fRilingue” is the combination of language courses (French and English) in the morning with free time activities such as sport, music, dance, theatre and cinema in the afternoons. The youngsters will learn outside or in tents if the weather is bad.

During the Workcamp you have also the time for a cool bath in the Lake of Neuchatel, for trips or workshops in the afternoon and discovering the region on the weekend.

WORK

The main work of the volunteers will be the preparation of the daily meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners). Together with a cook they organise the menu schedule, do the shopping and wash the dishes afterwards.Volunteers will also do housekeeping and cleaning rooms, showers and toilets. It would be helpful if volunteers know how to prepare a meal for a bigger group.

ACCOMODATION

During the spring and autumn camps Volunteers will sleep in dormitories. In the summer camps they will sleep in tents or in a tipi under the sky. It is very simple, but there is a kitchen, toilets and showers.

LOCATION

The village Cudrefin is a getaway and holiday resort on the boarder of the lake of Neuchâtel.

There is an infrastructure for tourists with holiday houses, camping ground, a swimming beach

and two big sailing harbours.

REMARKS/ SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers should have interest in leading a group of young people. We are looking for mature

people. The group fRilingue is looking for people who likesport and creative activities and who like to support youngsters in their own talents. Volunteers should be able to prepare a meal. The international Workcamps consist of small groupsof four Volunteers, additionallythey will work together with Swiss Volunteers from fRilingue. If you are interested to be a partof this workcamp please send a short motivation letter. Age: 20+ for summer Camps, 18+ for spring and autumn Camps!

LEISURE ACITIVITIES/ BENEFITS FOR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers will get to know the magic region of Cudrefin. Twice a week, they will accompany

the adolescents on an afternoon journey to the close by region. On the weekends longer excursions are planned. The evenings will involve social events where the volunteers can participate and enjoy.

LANGUAGE

French/English (Affinity for French language!)

WS14ES 06/07/14 – 27/07/14SUPERBEACH CAMPEDU/KITCH

PROJECT

The goal of the group “fRilingue” is to offer teenagers (age: 10 -18 years) language camps. The aim of “fRilingue” is the combination of language courses (French and English) in the morning with free time activities such as sport, music, dance, theatre and cinema in the afternoons. The youngsters will learn outside or in tents if the weather is bad.

During the Workcamp you have also the time for a cool bath in the Lake of Neuchatel, for trips or workshops in the afternoon and discovering the region on the weekend.

WORK

The main work of the volunteers will be the preparation of the daily meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners). Together with a cook they organise the menu schedule, do the shopping and wash the dishes afterwards.Volunteers will also do housekeeping and cleaning rooms, showers and toilets. It would be helpful if volunteers know how to prepare a meal for a bigger group.

ACCOMODATION

The Volunteers will sleep in dormitories or in a tent. It is very simple, but there is a kitchen, toilets and showers.

LOCATION

The old historic town of Estavayer-le-Lac on the south east riverside of the lake is close to one of the most beautiful Nature Reserve in Europe. Estavayer with its two marinas is a paradise for water sport. There are two nice, sandy beaches and there are possibilities to sail, to do windsurfing or wakeboarding. The rural surrounding of Estavayer can be discovered on various hiking trails and bike routes. The soft hills in the backland are very idyllic.

REMARKS/ SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers should have interest in leading a group of young people. We are looking for mature

people. The group fRilingue is looking for people who likesport and creative activities and who like to support youngsters in their own talents. Volunteers should be able to prepare a meal. The international Workcamps consist of small groupsof four Volunteers, additionallythey will work together with Swiss Volunteers from fRilingue. If you are interested to be a partof this workcamp please send a short motivation letter. Age: 20+!