Wild adventure in Sabina’s mountain

CODE: LUNAR28

PARTNER : Ala is a promotion association specializing in activities for youth and adults in rural areas. The
focus of its work is in Sabina, an agricultural area north of Rome (40 km) where it has made local
development and youth policies its main vocation. The association works to build the idea of an inclusive
educational community where everyone has the opportunity to find the space to express themself, outside
of any judgment, social or political. Daily it deals with youth aggregation, active citizenship and
participation, reception and receptivity, local development for sustainable tourism, and redevelopment of
spaces abandoned or disused public spaces.
PROJECT : Since 2014 Ala has managed the Cognolo Refuge, a mid-mountain mountain hut, brought back
to life from a situation of degradation and abandonment, where it carries out hospitality, educational
activities, experiences related to nature, and the enhancement of the territory. Running a refuge is an act of
care for this rural area, offering an active garrison over the mountain area and facilitating access to the hinterland for all, making known the beauty of these mountains. The day-to-day management of the refuge
requires constant maintenance and renovation, which is why the camp focuses on this space by offering
volunteers the experience of living in a mountain refuge in its wildness and using this space as a place for
experimentation where they can express their creativity and rediscovering the value of manual skills and
traditional knowledge. By joining this workcamp you will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals:
SustainableCommunities -SDG11, SustainableConsuption&Production-SDG12
WORK : Volunteers will work on the maintenance of the space and area around Cognolo Refuge
(maintenance of trails, construction, and restoration of terraces, collection of wood for the winter season,
construction of tables, chairs, or other necessary elements, maintenance and cleaning of the spaces, making
tent pitches, fire areas etc...). Volunteer could discover the area by exploring flora and fauna local, learning
about animal tracks and more. Group life, shared management of cooking, cleaning, and convivial moments
between games, excursions, and experiences.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD : The group is housed in tents in the camping area around the shelter. The
shelter and spaces inside are used by staff for cooking and rain emergencies. Scarcity of resources - the
shelter has electricity. Spartan housing to keep with shared bathrooms, compost toilets, and solar showers.
Management of space cleaning and meal preparation will be handled by volunteers themselves through
cleaning/cooking shifts. The group will have access to a pantry based on which to build a weekly menu
respecting allergies/intolerances and diet particulars.
LOCATION: The refuge is located in the Sabine Mountains near the municipality of Casperia (RI). It can be
reached on foot with a 2h 30m walk from the village, medium difficulty with an altitude difference of 600m.
TERMINAL : Rome Fiumicino FCO and then direct train to Poggio Mirteto or Rome Ciampino CIA and then
bus connection to Rome Tuscolana and then train to Poggio Mirteto.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The camp takes place at 1000m, is accessible by hiking, and takes volunteers
to immerse themselves in a dimension outside the usual. It requires a high sense of adaptation, the ability
to disconnect from digital devices and an internet connection, desire to disconnect from everyday life to
connect with a life more in relationship with the people one has around and nature.