Getting Strong for Life

CODE: DE-SCI 1.3

Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project: Jugendhof Brandenburg e.V. is a socio-ecological model project that supports severely disadvantaged young people aged 14 and above, some of whom refuse to go to school or suffer from psychological problems , and prepares them for integration into society. The young people live in supervised residential groups and learn daily structure and self-efficacy through activities on the project's own organic farm, in the building trade, in the kitchen, in the farm's own bicycle workshop or in woodworking. The ecological agriculture includes small animal husbandry, grain cultivation, orchards and sea buckthorn cultivation, but also the maintenance and care of a plant-based sewage treatment system and a solar and wind power plant, as well as the maintenance of wet meadows and biotopes.

Description of work:

The volunteer camp primarily serves to facilitate contact between the young residents of the youth farm and the international volunteer group. Therefore, the daily routine of the camp is adapted to the daily structure of the young people, and meals are eaten together and various activities are pursued. Work is carried out in the stables, in the kitchen and housekeeping, in the garden, in woodworking, in repairs to the house and yard, as well as helping with the harvest (expected to be sea buckthorn), always together with the young people from the project.

Important: Work is for the volunteer group  carried out on 4 working days for 8 hours each (including breakfast together), but Fridays and weekends are free. On Fridays, the volunteer group usually goes on a day trip.

Description of accommodation and food: The accommodation of the camp is being set in two group rooms in the project's seminar building on camp beds. Sleeping bags are provided. Meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided by the youth centre together with the young people on the four working days. In the evenings and on days off, meals are within the SCI group, self-catered in a communal kitchen.

Description of location and leisure: 

Berge near Nauen (in Brandenburg), 45 km west of Berlin The village Berge is located about 45 km west of Berlin in the Brandenburg region "Havelland", which is very scenic, with a lot of lakes. Berlin, the capital of Germany, can be reached in about 1 hour by bus and train. Berlin offers a lot of free-time activities in and around the city and is definitely worth to visit, considering its important function during the Second World War and during the time of the Berlin wall.

The youth centre has a seminar house, a multi-purpose hall and various sports facilities. The youth centre also has horses, which are used internally for regular activities. Leisure activities include cycling tours, swimming in the lake, ball games and excursions to Berlin and Potsdam.

The SCI volunteer group is also welcome to organize games, ball tournaments, or similar activities with the young people in their free time.

Description of specific requirements: It is not obligatory to speak German, but this camp offers a great opportunity to learn a bit or to improve your German. Willingness to do physical work and to integrate into the camp group and the routines at the youth centre as well as sensitive interaction with the youngsters are a prerequisite.
Important: Alcohol and drugs are prohibited at the youth centre!

Due to contact with young people, a self-declaration form for the protection of children and young people must be signed, which will be sent to you.