IBG (Internationale Begegnung in Gemeinschaftsdiensten)
Kuruluş
This Workcamp is based on the cooperation between IBG and the nature park „Naturpark Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald“ including the local forestry administration.
İş Tanımı
Help improve the health and lifespan of trees and contribute to increasing biodiversity!
You will work with the other volunteers on an extensively used orchard with over 100 different fruit trees. These fruit orchards have been characteristic of the German landscape for centuries and are still used today for both fruit (apples and pears) and hay.
Your task will be to cut the branches of the fruit trees. You will receive a detailed introduction on how to do it. You will be equipped with tools and climb ladders to reach the uppermost parts of the tree. There will probably be still a few fruits hanging on the trees, so your task would be to harvest these first.
These tasks are super important as trimming the trees increases their lifespan. And old trees are a perfect space to live for various animals. In general, orchard meadows play an outstanding role for biodiversity in Central Europe and are important for the future. They are among the most species-rich habitats in Central Europe.
You will work five days per week, two days off.
Konaklama ve Yemek
If you want to be active in increasing biodiversity, love nature and enjoy simple accommodation, almost like a kind of survival camp, then this camp is perfect for you!
You will sleep on a youth campsite about 50 metres from the orchard (run by the local forestry administration). This might be an outdoor adventure, because in October the weather is usually already very autumnal in Germany, which means it can rain, the temperatures might drop quite low at night and the hours of sunshine become fewer.
There are showers and toilets in a house next to the campsite, as well as a barn where you can set up a lounge to spend free time. If it pours with rain, you can also spend the night here if necessary. There is an outdoor gas cooker for cooking. You don't need to bring a tent, but you do need a warm sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, warm, weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes.
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
The Workcamp takes place approx. 10 km from the town Schwäbisch Hall. The landscape in this area is very beautiful: It is dominated by forests and steep hills. Only small hamlets interrupt the nature, which makes it a perfect region for plenty of different species but also for hiking.
At your accommodation, there is a barbecue area, several hiking trails, a special cultural landscape trail and a swimming lake (if it's still warm enough) that can be reached on a short hike. You can also reach a lot by bus: There is a brewery that can be visited; the old town of Schwäbisch Hall has museums, shops and some traditional German historical buildings.
Notlar
This project is really for adventurers and nature lovers who want to try out living in nature and with nature even in German autumn. You will be outside a lot, there will be campfires, improvised cooking, hikes and special nature experiences.
*Please be aware that ticks can be an issue when you spend a lot of time outdoors in natural areas in Germany - like in this camp. In our General Infosheet you will find suggestions on how you can protect yourself against them. You are also welcome to check whether a vaccination against the tick-borne disease TBE makes sense and is possible in your home country.*
