Back to Nature

CODE: SDA 25-400 (There is an opportunity to stay in our partner´s Prague apartment until 14.9.)

Project:

The workcamp is organised in cooperation with EUROSOLAR. This organization promotes renewable energies and a sustainable lifestyle through educating young people about the environment and organizing summer camps for children, youth, and families to promote environmental awareness. The workcamp takes place in a remote but exceptionally beautiful, hilly area of the Bohemian Forest, near the western border of the Czech Republic. The campsite is isolated from civilization . Volunteers are welcome in trying out a basic and active lifestyle in the forest. The main goal is to help maintain meadows in a nature-protected area and maintain the campsite. At this workcamp, you will actively contribute to the achievement of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 15 Life on Land

Work: 

You will work in a natural reserve about 3 km from the campsite to which one arrives by foot. The main work will consist of mowing, raking and collecting grass on protected meadows. This work might be physically demanding. As the meadows can be very wet, make sure to bring waterproof working shoes (or rubber boots), gloves, rain gear and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Work gloves will be provided for you. Volunteers will also work directly in the campsite on maintenance tasks and in the nearby forest by doing various manual jobs. At the end of the workcamp, you will help to dismantle the campsite and to transport all the material to Prague where it will be stored during winter.

Study part:

It includes evening discussions about climate, environment, sustainability and sustainable camps around the fire. You will have the unique opportunity to try archery, participate in fun games and learn to recognize the stars. Also, as you will be living in close contact with nature, you will improve your camping skills and learn a lot about local fauna and flora.

Accomodation and food:

Volunteers will be accommodated in tee-pees with a fireplace in the centre. You will sleep on wooden pads and mattresses stuffed with hay. Nights in the forest might be very cold, even frosty, so bring a very warm sleeping bag, camping mat and some warm clothes. You will bathe in a small river with cold water next to the campsite, the toilets are outdoors. Everyone will cook together as a group on a fireplace. The food is only vegetarian (or vegans / gluten free variants). You can charge your cell phone with a small solar-electricity generator. There is limited phone coverage and no Wifi.

Leisure time

The main activity is hiking in the surrounding countryside. You can visit the ruins of the Zahaji castle or go on trips to nearby towns (e.g. Marianske Lazne). The project is situated on the border with Germany; a trip to Germany could be an option. Besides, you can try archery, play games or experience an Indian sauna. If you have any games, musical instruments or any other activity you could share or teach the group in the campsite conditions, you are welcome to bring them.

Location:

The workcamp takes place in the Bohemian Forest near Stara Knizeci Hut. The campsite is located in the valley of the Celni stream, an isolated part of the village of Lesna in the Bohemian Forest near the German border. There is limited phone coverage. The nearest bus stop is Stara Knizeci Hut and the nearest bigger town is Tachov where you can find ATMs, pharmacies, doctors etc. The campsite is located about 30 minutes walk from the nearest bus station. Bus runs once a day to Tachov

Requirements:

Bring a warm sleeping bag, a mat and warm clothes. There is a strict no alcohol and drugs policy at the campsite. Please note that the last three days are dedicated to dismantling the campsite and transporting all the material to Prague. Therefore leaving the workcamp earlier is not an option.

Notes: We expect volunteers to enjoy camping and being outdoorsy. This camp is perfect for volunteers who want to enjoy living and working in basic conditions in close touch with nature. If you are ready for this, an amazing experience is waiting for you! The workcamp might be also suitable for people with social, economic and some health disadvantages. Please, let us know ahead if you need any assistance. To reach the workcamp you will take forest paths, therefore you need to pack your stuff in a backpack rather than in luggage. Because you will be outside all the time, beware of all kinds of allergies (grass, pollen, insects, hay etc.). The food is vegetarian only. Alcohol is forbidden.

Directions to meeting point: Timetables may change for summer. We will provide more transport details in infoheet later. Feel free to use our application IDOS for all kind of transport around Czech Republic (buses, trains, public city transport). To have a general knowledge how to ge to the meetingpoint: From the airport take the trolleybus line number 59 to the Nadrazi Veleslavin stop. Change to green metro line A in the direction of Depo Hostivar, get off at “Muzeum” and change to red metro line C in the direction of Letnany, go 1 stop and get off at “Hlavni Nadrazi” stop (main railway station). Take the train IC562 Zapadni Express at 12:23 and get off at Plzen at 13:58. Go to the bus station in front of the train station and at 14:10 take the bus 440251 3 in the direction to “Lesna, Stara Knizeci Hut”. Get off at this last stop at 16:03. The meeting point is at the bus stop. PAY ATTENTION! THIS IS THE ONLY CONNECTION YOU CAN TAKE ON THIS DAY!

Address: Near Stara Knizeci Hut
GPS: 49.72013372945625, 12.438396752827286