A SENSORY GARDEN TO GROW

CODE: CONCF- 6301A

Project and work :

Get involved in the creation of a sensory garden with associations and young people from the neighbourhood.

The Four Seasons park was designed in collaboration with local youth and it opened its doors to the public a few months ago. In the middle of family gardens, the park offers a playground for children, green spaces to relax, a picnic area with barbecues and a sensory garden.

The park is currently being developed and the local associations has a lot of ideas : barefoot path, wild flowers meadow, thematic and intergenerational wooden planters, “5 senses Jungle” track, living shacks, etc.

To contribute to this great project, the animation team offers young international volunteers an introduction to carpentry and woodworking techniques, so that you can build wooden planters, street furniture and small construction to explore senses, or for the benefit of wildlife (bird nesting boxes or hedgehog shelter!)

Calling all handiwork enthusiasts, you'll learn how to use hand and power tools, working alongside a technical supervisor.

Accommodation and meals:

You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay.

The accommodation is located at the campsite “Pierre et Sources” in Volvic, in the heart of Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, close to the Chaîne des Puys. Concordia provides individual sleeping tents and a collective tent for daily life.
The group will be sharing the different tasks of collective life together. A budget will be allocated to the camp leaders and you will participate in the preparation of meals, run errands from the market and local producers. Free WIFI at the campsite. Laundry will be hand-washed or in a washing machine at the campsite (for a fee).

Partner :

Since 1993, Concordia has been organizing international workcamps with the city of Clermont-Ferrand, showing how well this partnership works. The city has elaborated participative projects in cooperation with the local population. Every year, we come back to active neighbourhoods, where residents created familial gardens and non-profit organizations developed their activities.

This workcamp offers the chance to participate in the life of Les Vergnes neighbourhood, by helping two local associations in the creation of the sensory garden : Jardins Solidaires which takes care of landscaping and maintaining plantations, and the Family Social Club, which will animate activities within the garden with children and young people.

Local young people will be able to take part in the work camp alongside you and help you discover their locality.

Geographical location and leisure activities :

Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the Auvergne region. It is located in an exceptional volcanic area, at the foot of the Puy de Dôme volcano and the Chaîne des Puys which is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. During your stay, you will be able to enjoy the town's summery energy (shows, concerts, fireworks, etc.) and the countryside, located right on its doorstep: hiking over the volcanoes, swimming in the lakes, outdoor activities, etc.

Special requirements and remarks:

The accommodation is located outside of the city of Clermont-Ferrand, in a little town in the countryside.

Bring work clothes and shoes, walking boots and a swimming suit. Nights can be chilly, so bring warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. You can also bring recipes from your home country, music instruments and games.

Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

For more information: https://www.clermontauvergnevolcans.com/en/

Languages :

English, French

Time and directions to the meeting point:

Time and directions to Meeting Place:

The meeting point is at the train station of CLERMONT-FERRAND at the end of the afternoon. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the Info Sheet, sent one month before the beginning of the workcamp.

From PARIS, you can take the train from PARIS - Bercy train station. Regular departures are scheduled throughout the day (every two hours) and the journey is about 3.5 hours. From LYON, you can take the train from LYON - Part-Dieu train station. Regular departures are scheduled throughout the day, and the journey is about 2.5 hours.

If you are coming first by plane, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress-free journey.

The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, accessible on the following website:

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

Closest airport:

Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon or Paris.