Never again war - never again fascism (Buchholz near Hamburg)

CODE: DE-SCI 1.28

Description: In 1945, the recreation and meeting place "Heideruh" was established by victims of persecution of National Socialism, including for children whose parents had been persecuted, forced into hiding, imprisoned in concentration camps, or murdered. Relatives, survivors, and friends dedicated significant time and effort to building and maintaining the site. To this day, Heideruh primarily serves as a place of rest and gathering for those who oppose fascist ideology and advocate for peace and a more just society. Like-minded individuals from multiple generations continue to meet here.

Type of Work: Heideruh will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. The workcamp will focus on beautify-ing the site, including memorial areas, facades, a simple playground with play equipment, and the barefoot path built by previous SCI camps. The work will primarily involve wood, and participants will have the opportunity to learn how to use woodworking machines under supervision. Additionally, part of the group will document the progress of the workcamp, deciding whether to keep an internal diary or share it publicly.

Study Theme: The study part will deal with the history of the Second World War, but also with questions about war and peace today. There will be a visit to the memorial site of the former Neuengamme concentration camp in Hamburg, partly organized by the Auschwitz Committee. Peace will be a central theme in the discussions about history and the current political situation in the participants' countries of origin, even in today's world. At the same time as the camp, young people from the IG-Metall trade union will be visiting Heideruh. There will be joint meetings.

Accommodation: Accommodation is directly at Heideruh in double or single bedrooms. If preferred, partici-pants can also sleep in a tent, which can be provided along with the necessary equipment. Meals are provided by the Heideruh kitchen/canteen, with the camp cooking on three days. Breakfast is organized by the camp itself. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Heideruh also has a small bar offering a variety of drinks, sweets, and snacks at reasonable prices. Please inform us in advance of any allergies.

Language: The camp language will be English. However, many staff members and guests at Heideruh speak German, making it easy to learn or improve your German skills. Additionally, French and Arabic are also spoken within the team.

Approximate Location: The small town of Buchholz is located in the northwest of Germany, about 40 km south of Hamburg on the Hamburg-Bremen railway line. Heideruh is beautifully nestled in the scenic nature of northern Germany. The unique landscape of the Lüneburg Heath can be easily reached on foot via forest hiking trails.

Excursions to the major cities of Hamburg and Bremen are possible, offering a variety of leisure activities, museums, and sights—from the historic port of Hamburg to the famous Bremen Town Musicians.