The guardians of stone

CODE: ANEC17

Location:Etival-Clairefontaine, Grand Est, France

Context

The Pierre d'Appel Trail is an iconic site in the Vosges. In addition to being one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area, it hides traces of a very ancient past. Archaeological excavations reveal that humans occupied the site as early as the Gallo-Roman period. As you walk here, you can almost imagine their lives, their daily gestures, and the stories they left behind. Every stone, every panorama tells you a piece of history across the centuries. This brand-new project invites you to help bring new life to a former archaeological excavation site in the heart of the Vosges. This year's objectives are to create a safe and welldesigned space for hikers and to enhance the site's viewpoints. You will be directly involved in restoring and showcasing the site, while discovering its history and archaeological heritage.!

Mission

You will take part in cleaning and clearing vegetation around the excavation site to help secure the archaeological area. During the activities, you will be supervised by archaeology professionals and by experts from the French National Forrests Office for pruning and developing the viewpoints, allowing you to learn specific techniques and deepen your knowledge of archaeology while respecting the site and its environment. You may also take part in cultural activities depending on the local program, offering you another way to discover the region. In case of extreme heat, the site will be closed and work sessions will be cancelled to ensure everyone's safety. This experience will give you the opportunity to make a concrete contribution to the preservation of archaeological heritage while learning alongside experts.

Group life

Beyond working hours, volunteers come together to organise daily life on the camp. Often divided into teams, they plan menus, help with the shopping, prepare meals, and ensure the cleanliness of shared spaces. Fully involved in shaping your experience, you will also take part in decision-making regarding group activities and daily organisation! In order to reduce the environmental impact of our projects, we prioritise vegetarian menus, which meet all the nutrional needs of participants. There will be French volunteers on the workcamp. Some of them might not speak English. This can be an opportunity for everyone to develop new language skills and innovatove ways of communicating!

Accomodation

Volunteers will be accommodated in individual tents on municipal land. They will have access to the nearby municipal sports hall for sanitary facilities.

What you will find on site:
Individual tents
Backup option in the sports hall
Non-mixed toilets (permanent facilities in the sports hall)
Showers (in the sports hall locker rooms)
Laudromat nearby
Outdoor kitchen
Wi-Fi available

A day on the workcamp
The day's schedule may vary depending on the camp leaders, the group, and the weather. Volunteers play an active role in their workcamp and can adjust the schedule, in coordination with the team. Keep in mind that every workcamp is different, and each experience is unique. Stay flexible and proactive! In general, volunteers spend around 20 hours per week working, and have two days off dedicated to cultural outings, on-site activities, and free time. Here's what a typical day on a worksite might look like:

8am-12h30pm: Work
10:30am-12:30pm: Meal preparation
12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm-2pm: Clean up
2pm-3:30pm: On-site activities
3:30pm-6pm: Free time
6pm-7:30pm: Free time
6pm-7:30pm: Meal preparation
9pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-10:30pm: Evening activities