Cultural Center in Countryside Bedheim

CODE: ICJA2513

Work:

Volunteers are invited to help with the care and maintenance of this social centre and its various areas. There is work outside and inside: The meadow orchard must be cleared of bushes and, depending on the weather, apples can be collected and processed into apple juice. The work in the organic vegetable garden also depends on the weather, usually the volunteers help with the harvest of fruit and vegetables. In the castle itself, there is painting and cleaning work to be done to maintain the building. Encounters with kids and people of the region are foreseen. Overall, there is a wide variety of tasks - something for everyone!

Accomodation and food

Bedheim castle offers a simple group accommodation in a seminar house. Beds will be provided. Meals will be prepared by the group (less meat but a lot of very good vegetables and fruits from the nursery). Warm water is provided from a solar collector.

Location and leisure

We may learn more about natural beauty of the environment. We can make excursions to places of cultural and historical interest (e.g. Weimar, the city of Goethe and the concentration camp Buchenwald). We can have discussions and lectures about German history, society, culture and politics (the German East-West border was only 9 km away from Bedheim). There will be the possibility to encounter with young people of the region and getting to know more about the countries of the participants.

Project hosted by

Bedheim castle was first mentioned in the year 1169 and was destroyed and reconstructed several times in its long history. During the last 30 years, the castle became a sociocultural center for this remote region. Currently it offers meeting places for social and cultural initiatives. With historical rooms, the garden café, various types of gardens and being surrounded by beautiful nature, it is a perfect place to meet with friends, to enjoy a good piece of cake or even to celebrate a wedding.

Since 1992, this association has been organizing workcamps. Volunteers enjoy spending their time to meet and work together with the inhabitants. An organic garden, a painter's studio, a goldsmith's workshop and an architect's office are the basis for the existence of the residents. There is even a small castle museum, where you can admire the bones of prehistoric dinosaurs, once living in this region. Last but not least: nice cats and dogs are waiting to be petted by the volunteers!

The aim of this project is to create an atmosphere where people with or without disabilities may come, live and work together without any prejudice against handicap, nationality, or religion.

Directions to meeting point

Nearest airports: Leipzig, Frankfurt/Main, Nuernberg.

Additional comments

Some basic knowledge of German or English is recommended. Please bring rain and working clothes as well as swimsuits, a sleeping bag, slippers, towels and warm pullovers with you. You can also bring a map, pictures or special food items from your country.