IBG (Internationale Begegnung in Gemeinschaftsdiensten)
Kuruluş
Grafenhausen is a beautiful village with about 2.100 inhabitants. Even if it’s not very big, the village has a lot to offer: e.g. the very interactive "Black Forest Museum", a public pool, and a beautiful and touristic sculpture park, where the international group of 2016 worked and where you will be working. Indeed, the locals are now used to welcoming international volunteers for different projects that will help their community, almost every year. In 2024, they invite a workcamp for the 8th time; you can now join the 9th this summer! By joining this workcamp, you are supporting the sustainable development within the community (UN SDG 11).
İş Tanımı
Come to Grafenhausen to actively support the local community and local associations to maintain and renovate parts of their local infrastructure. They defined several projects to improve the living quality in the village and to make Grafenhausen more attractive. You will help to realise:
• Painting of the schoolyard! Directly next to the accommodation is an elementary school with a large court. You will be in charge of painting this big area where the children are used to playing. Feel free to bring with you creative ideas. The playground of the school was a previous workcamp in 2019 and will also need to be renovated.
• Mettenberg Fence. Help the neighbouring community of Mettenberg which is still part of Grafehausen by laying out wall plates and fence.
• Renovate wooden sitting areas. For this task, you will be working with wood, sanding down damaged parts, painting benches and table anew.
The work will be led by a professional instructor, so no previous experience is needed. Sometimes you might be split up in smaller groups to do different tasks. Working hours will be approximately from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday with a 1-2 hour break for lunch.
Konaklama ve Yemek
You will be accommodated in a beautiful wooden group house, in the middle of the village, called the HAGEHUS. The house is equipped with hot showers and toilets which can be separated by gender, a kitchen, a big common room and a dorm. You will sleep on mattresses on the floor (bed sheets are provided but no pillow nor cover) in the dorm, one big common room. Please bring your own sleeping bag! In the house, there is a washing machine and a Wifi connection. The bakery/café and local supermarket are at walking distance. Your group of volunteers will be responsible for grocery shopping and cooking together. The food will be bought with the camp budget and everybody will take turns for cooking, washing the dishes and cleaning. In order to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet, we encourage volunteers to reduce meat and try more sustainable dishes.
Konum ve Serbest Zaman
Grafenhausen is located in the very south of Germany, in the famous Black Forest. It is a very nice village with typical south German architecture, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. In addition to the forest, there are many lakes and mountains close-by. An excursion to the Rothaus brewery is already planned; you will have the opportunity to visit the famous local beer factory. Indeed, the Feldberg, the highest German mountain outside of the Alps, is about half an hour by car, which makes this area perfect for hiking trips! The village is in a very rural area, so be prepared for two calm weeks in the Black Forest, far away from the big city life. To go shopping, the community will lend you a small bus and for excursions you will receive travel passes with which you can use public transportation in the whole Black Forest area. From the next train station, there are regular connections to Freiburg (a university city) and Lake Constance. Grafenhausen is located at about 1.000 meters altitude; therefore the weather at the end of the summer can be quite unpredictable. Be prepared for warm and sunny temperatures, as well as coldness and rain.
