This past year I participated in 5 workcamps.  My first was in Broumov, Czech Republic where we worked on the local Pivovar, a brewery.  Unfortunately my workcamp in Belgium was canceled, but I managed to pick up another project in Zonca, Italy.  A wonderful place near Domodossola in the Italian Alps.  Afterwards I eventually made my way to my first French workcamp near Goncelin, about 45 minutes by car from Grenoble.  My next workcamp was in Mannenbach, Switzerland working for Peace Brigades International.  I wound up the year back in France at a castle called Le Créneau, about an hour away from Vichy.  Below are the camp information sheets.  These workcamps were available via VFP (Volunteers for Peace).

Volunteer projects:

Camp #1 Information

L: Broumovsko region, formerly Sudeten one, is the distinctive region in the Czech Republic. The core of the region is Broumov town (Braunau). Unfortunately, right after the WWII the German inhabitants of this region were evicted from the country and there was an enormous wave of new inhabitants coming from inland and knowing nothing about the regional tradition and country life so that culture, social and industrial continuation was interrupted. Following the communist regime they started to destroy local heritage And what's more, human responsibility, consciousness of community were destroyed. Cultural Centre Brewery placed in building of the formal brewery should help with this situation. W: Basic cleaning-up of the terrible mess in newly required dilapidated building of former brewery. Decoration work within the Centre, preparation for first exhibitions. A: In one room, small kitchen available, sleeping bag and light mat necessary. S&R: Art workshop with Czech artist. History of the region and of the town Broumov, meeting with people working in the area of regional culture, with the chief of the Protected Landscape Area, trip to the sandstone rocks near by the town, climbing up the rocks with guard.

Camp #2 Information

Hogemeyer is a non-profit organization, that stands for the maintenance of cultural heritage, by protecting useful but neglected buildings for further decline and by giving them a new function. At this moment, they are focused at a marvelous castle in the surroundings of Leuven that they want to renovate and to turn into an artists centre (music, painting, theatre) W: because the work is still in the first stage: to weed and to put bars around the site, to clean the cellars, to remove bricks and rubbish, work at doors and windows A: an attic in the castle or in Leuven, not accessible for wheelchairs X: to be interested in historical sites.

Camp #3 Information

In the Gresivaudan valley, one can find the beautiful Montalieu castle. The family who owns it is really fund of cultural activities: theatre plays, musical events, folk festival, ... through "Passage", a non profit organization they created a few years ago. Your project will be to help them go on with the restoration of the site. W: Very hard and physical, yet very rewarding as the construction of a stone walls using manual methods is very satisfying. You will learn how to carve stones, a very useful skill in this new-born century. L: Montalieu, some 5 km from Barraux, is on a hill dominating the Isere valley, that valley itself dominated by the Chartreuse (pre-alps massif of 2 000 m high) on the West side and the Belledonne (alps, 3 000 m) on the East. If you wish, you will be able to go hike, swim, ride a bike, ... So bring good shoes and a back pack. A: In the castle itself, you lucky you.. MEETING POINT: Train station of Pontcharra sur Breda. R: You will spend three weeks with a family, their friends, the members of Passage, ... If you can, bring a musical instrument and/or songbook. Keep also in mind that you are here to help and learn, not on "normal" vacation. This camp is only for vols who are willing to actively take part on a global project.

Camp #4 Information

P: Since 20 years now Peace Brigades International (PBI) stands up for promoting nonviolence and for protecting human rights by sending of international teams of observer and by escorting threatened individuals and organizations in conflict regions. The camp will take place during the jubilee event and the General Assembly of PBI.. We will workout contributions about peace subjects to the conference and will support the delegates by caring about their well-being. W: Organization work, supporting the delegates and the organization committee S: Prepare a workshop about the theme Culture of Nonviolence and volunteering work A: Simple accommodation in the "Haus Mannenbach" Q: English necessary, Spanish and German is an asset.

Camp #5 Information

W: Chateau des Prireaux is to become a community centre where intercultural meetings and various activities are being organized. Vols will be involved in the renovation of the building (mainly masonry work) and the improvement of the surrounding open spaces. They will also work with long term vols, disadvantaged persons hosted on the site, mentally handicapped and elderly people on the celebrations of Xmas and new year's eve. Such a meeting will be the opportunity to act concretely and in solidarity with persons coming from very different backgrounds and ways of living. A: In the castle. L: Chateau des Prireaux is in the centre of France, between Moulins and Vichy. T: Saint Germain des Fosses is the nearest train station.

Camp #6 Information

The association "l'Orto" combines the cultivation of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggfruit, salad and other vegetables with the support and integration of persons with social problems, who are employed by the farm. The volunteers will participate in the different activities of the community and will work together with the employed, socially disadvantaged persons. To support the communication, there will be a short Italian course at the beginning of the camp. W: Agricultural work, harvest of the vegetables together with socially disadvantaged people. S: Socially disadvantaged and excluded persons. A: In a house. L: English, Italian is an asset X: in the south and italian speaking part of Switzerland