Create a Place of Culture and Reconciliation

CODE: CZ-INE 13.25002

Description: The workcamp, in cooperation with Česká Kamenice, takes place in the Rabštejn Valley, a former concentration camp site. Volunteers will help preserve the ruins of prison barracks, enhance visibility, and mark new hiking trails to improve accessibility. Future plans include an educational center and a memorial honoring the site's history. By joining, volunteers contribute to preserving cultural heritage and raising awareness. This project supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities..

Type of Work: Volunteers will maintain the former prison barracks, clean invasive vegetation, improve rest areas, paint fences and benches, and upkeep hiking trails in Rabštejn Valley. In case of rain, tasks will include cleaning city sites like the funeral chapel and the Culture House for a major in the future. Appropriate clothing and footwear to work are required. The work is moderately demanding, with tasks adaptable to participants abilities.

Study Theme: Study part: Upon arrival, volunteers will be personally welcomed by the Mayor of Česká Kamenice, followed by a city walk and a guided English tour of the main historical site. At the beginning or end of the workcamp (depending on the date), a meeting will be organized with students from Česká Kamenice High School, German high school students from nearby Sebnitz, and students from the English College of Prague, as well as World War II survivors, historians, and experts. These events will include lectures, oral history interviews, discussions, and excursions.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in the town’s tourist hostel. There will be rooms with beds, an upstairs common room and an equipped kitchen with fridge, stove, oven and microwave. On each floor, there are 2 bathrooms with showers, toilets and a washing machine. Wifi is available. Volunteers will cook for themselves from the provided ingredients and eat in the common room or outside.

Language: A basic level of english is required.

Requirements: Requirements: Bring warm clothes and footwear suitable for work and hiking, including waterproof clothing, and a towel. Bring your favourite national recipes to prepare for the others and if you need any special ingredients from your country, take them along.

Approximate Location: The workcamp will be held in the town of Ceska Kamenice which is located in the north of Bohemia on the borderline of three protected landscape areas. The nearest one is Bohemian Switzerland National Park just on the outskirts of the town. The village has approximately 5,100 inhabitants . The city centre consists of a well-preserved urban heritage zone with several cultural monuments. For these reasons, the town is a natural centre of tourism. There are shops, a pharmacy, an ATM and several cafés and restaurants.

Notes: IMPORTANT NOTE : Since this is a very short-term project, we highly encourage international participants to use eco-friendly means of transport and to connect this volunteering opportunity with longer holiday in Czechia.

Purpose of extra costs:
The extra fee covers costs of the project not covered by public funding (for example support for campleaders, administrative costs of iNEX-SDA). The fee is paid in advance electronically and non-refundable unless proof of severe obstacle (for example illness) is provided.