VFP: FAMILY WORKCAMPS 2006

 

In 2006, as usual, there are not many options for families seeking placement. The following 2006 volunteer programs will accept children accompanied by an adult or parents. The VFP placement fee is fixed at $500 for any family regardless of size:

 

ICELAND

Camp Code: IceWf09-06   Start Date: 4-Jul-2006   End Date: 18-Jul-2006   Country: Iceland
Location: Siglufjörður   Type: ARTS/ENVI/FAMILY   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 23   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $107.00   Report Refund: $75.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/IceWfInfo.htm

Siglufjördur is the northernmost town in Iceland, located at the foot of towering mountains on the shore of a small fjord bearing the same name. Fishing and the processing of marine products provide the principal source of employment for the town's 1600 residents, as the settlement has developed around one of the country's best natural harbours. Few towns in Iceland can match the dramatic history of Siglufjördur. As the fortunes of fisheries and the businesses in fisheries alternately soared and plunged, the town became famous or forgotten almost overnight. Siglufjörður, enjoys a dramatic setting beside a small fjord at the northern tip of Tröllaskagi. The historic architecture, the colorful rooftops of upper town and the harbour may call to mind an idyllic fishing village. There are a number of hiking trails nearby and there is a 15km mountain-pass to Siglufjörður which is 630m above sea level. Siglufjörður was one of the world’s leading herring centers from 1900 until the Norwegian-Icelandic herring stock disappeared in 1970. In good herring seasons the town normal population of 3.000 increased to over 10.000 and hundreds of fishing vessels from many nations often crowded its harbour. W: 1. Helping the locals to organize and run a football tournament for young girls; 2. Helping the locals to organize and run a International folksong festival; 3. Construction of hiking paths and embellish the surroundings of the village. A: On mattresses in a community centre. Participants should bring their sleeping bags. L: The language of the workcamp will be English. X: Free access to the local swimming pool, families welcome. Participation fee: € 90 (About $107 USD).

 

Camp Code: IceWf12-06   Start Date: 10-Jul-2006   End Date: 24-Jul-2006   Country: Iceland
Location: Galtalækur   Type: ENVI/FAMILY   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 12   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $107.00   Report Refund: $75.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/IceWfInfo.htm

Galtalækur is a small forest and a camp site. The area is very family-friendly with a big playground and a tiny Tivoli. It is owned by IOGT INTERNATIONAL which is an organisation of men and women of all ages who promote the ideals of temperance, peace and brotherhood. IOGT is the largest international non-governmental organisation working in the field of temperance. Within the campsite it is forbidden to consume alcohol. Only located 5 km away from Galtalækur is one of the most famous volcanoes in Europe, Hekla. W: We will perform different tasks as reforestation works planting trees; we will help building some hiking trails, rake, seed and fertilise were that it is needed. We will also construct walking paths. A: In summerhouses and the community center of Galtalækur. Participants are asked to bring their sleeping bags. L: The language of the workcamp will be English. X: Families are very welcome, Participation fee: 90 € (About $107 USD).

 

Camp Code: IceWf18-06   Start Date: 30-Jul-2006   End Date: 13-Aug-2006   Country: Iceland
Location: Galtalækur   Type: FEST/ENVI/FAMILY   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 20   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $178.00   Report Refund: $75.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/IceWfInfo.htm

Galtalækur is a small forest and a camp site. The area is very family-friendly with a big playground and a tiny Tivoli. It is owned by IOGT INTERNATIONAL which is an organisation of men and women of all ages who promote the ideals of temperance, peace and brotherhood. IOGT is the largest international non-governmental organisation working in the field of temperance. Within the campsite it is forbidden to consume alcohol. In the long weekend 3rd to 7th of August there are national festivals in many places around the country, including Galtalækur. Only located 5 km away from Galtalækur is one of the most famous volcanoes in Europe, Hekla. W: The volunteers will help with the preparation of the festival, helping to run it and of course taking part in it and afterwards help to clean the area. They will also construct walking paths. A: During the festival the participants will stay in tents (4 nights) but before and after they will stay in summerhouses and the community center of Galtalækur. Participants are asked to bring their sleeping bags. L: The language of the workcamp will be English. X: Families are very welcome, Participation fee: 150 € (about $178 USD).

 

 

ITALY

Camp Code: ItaLegF01-06   Start Date: 10-Jul-2006   End Date: 20-Jul-2006   Country: Italy
Location: Poggiodomo (Perugia)   Type: ENVI/FAMILY   Ages: 5+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 14   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $84.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/ItaLegInfo.htm

Poggiodomo(Perugia) Participants: 7 adults + 7 children (5 to 10 years old) Extra fee: 70 euros per person (adults or child) P: Legambiente promotes camps where parents and children can participate together. The idea is to create a sort of temporary community where adults and children can share the idea of voluntary activity for protecting the nature. The schedule of the camp allows the adults to act as volunteer like in any other voluntary camp (4-5 hours a day for environmental tasks). In the meanwhile, children "work" as well, in the sense that they take part in the activities helping parents and sharing easy tasks with them. 1 or 2 facilitators, supported by 1 parent on rotation, care about the children during the working activities, providing snacks, proposing games and excursions. In the daily free time and in the day off group excursion will be suggested by the local hosting community. Parents can join the camp in pair or alone with their child/children. Children should be between 5-10 years old in order to create an homogeneous group. Some English is necessary for parents, in order to communicate among them and with the campleader. Poggiodomo is a very small village 975 mt on the sea level in Umbria central region, the "green heart of Italy". Legambiente runs in Poggiodomo an environment education centre where schools and groups uses to come for educational schemes, trainings and eco-tourism. The centre is managed by a family with 2 children. W: Volunteers will helps to maintain some of the paths leaving the educational centre and will help in organizing a cultural event for the village. A: very well equipped guest house, 4-6 beds rooms with facilities, one or two rooms for children, one room for mothers, one room for fathers. L: Perugia district in Umbria, Central Italy, 23 km from Spoleto, 130 km from Rome. T: closest international airport is Rome; train station in Spoleto.

 

FINLAND

Camp Code: FinKvt06.3-06   Start Date: 21-Aug-2006   End Date: 2-Sep-2006   Country: Finland
Location: Keuruu   Type: FAMILY/ENVI   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 10   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/FinKvtInfo.htm

The purpose of Keuruun Ekokylä (Ecovillage of Keuruu) is to pursue a sustainable lifestyle, to cherish the diversity of nature and to preserve original plant and animal species in the woody countryside of central Finland. Find more info on the camp host's web page: www.ekokyla.tk W: Construction and renovating, and working in the garden. S: Permaculture, self-sufficiency, eco-energy, community life. X: Disabled and families welcome.

 

FRANCE

Camp Code: FraUnarec67-06   Start Date: 1-Apr-2006   End Date: 31-Dec-2006   Country: France
Location: St Saturnin-Auvergne region   Type: FAMILY/MIXED-AGE/MTV   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 7   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/FraUnarecInfo.htm

Dates are variable for this program, and they accept families and encourage participation of older volunteers. You can stay for as little as one week, up to six months. P: études ET chantiers has established a new partnership with the municipality of St Saturnin; the aim of this long project is to renovate rural built heritage and to give an international dimension to local activities. From beginning of March MTV are expected for managing the group life and setting up activities with the locals. A staffed technician will be there for the whole period. Then international volunteers are expected to come for one, or two or three weeks (and even more!) arriving Mondays and leaving Mondays. In July and August Teenage projects will be organized there. As there is lots of space and lots of works, the base will be also open to different kinds of groups which could discover workcamps for one week or one week-end (disadvantaged youth from suburbs, 'seniors', schools, etc) it is a great field for experiencing new projects with new publics W: Using mainly dry-stone techniques (but not only), you will participate to the renovation of several old buildings: a few wash houses, an ancient cemetery, an old shelter. You will also participate in activities with locals (information about volunteering and your country in schools, workshops with environmental associations). The village of St Saturnin is located 20km South from Clermont-Ferrand on the "montagne de la serre" (one of the oldest Auvergne volcanoes) in an extraordinary scenery; it is recognized as one of the "most beautiful villages of France"; there are a few shops; http://www.saint-saturnin.com A: in a holiday centre with beds and all facilities in a beautiful 4 hectare wooden park. From the 12th to the 25th of June, the accommodation will be in tents in a municipal plot.T: Clermont-Ferrand - nearest airport: Clermont-Ferrand - nearest big town: Clermont-Ferrand. Important to know before applying: : in your application form indicate the dates you want to book (only from a Monday to a Monday); once you are in the place it would be possible to stay longer (but to be checked with the campleaders and the international office, depending on availabilities)

 

GERMANY

Camp Code: GerOhW01-06   Start Date: 30-Jul-2006   End Date: 13-Aug-2006   Country: Germany
Location: Lohra Castle   Type: RENO/FAMILY/ENVI   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 16   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/GerOhInfo.htm

Volunteers will do some care, reparation and maintenance works inside and outside the castle to prepare it for following projects and seasons. Among other things these works will be: cultivating the castle garden and cutting grass, as well as winter preparation work such as wood collection in the forests around the castle, which has to be cut and stored in the castle`s cellar for the cold wintertime. We will work in the castle garden and mow the lawn.Another important work to be done is making a new isolation of one corner on one of the guesting house. The volunteers will dig the hole from out side of the building wall and instal new isolation to prevent from ground water damaging the walls. The volunteers will ground the tiles on the little castle chapel’s roof from the inside so that the building will be isolated from rain and wind. Beside this they will also do some painting works. In case of a bad weather there is also work to do inside the old castle. The volunteers will empty and clear up the attic of the castle´s former horse stable to prepare it for late following Building Weeks, when the floor will be restored. Afterwards it could be possible to use this hall as dancing and theatre stage for the following projects.

 

NETHERLANDS

Camp Code: NetVia3.2-06   Start Date: 3-Jul-2006   End Date: 15-Jul-2006   Country: Netherlands
Location: Stoutenburg (Amersfoort)   Type: FAMILY/MIXED-AGE   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 12   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/NetViaInfo.htm

The Franciscan Environmental project is situated in the estate of Stoutenburg (5 km from Amersfoort). At this moment there are five inhabitants who maintain the premisses and grow vegetables and fruit in the garden and eat it. They also rent out their house as a conference centre. Their philosophy is based on the ideas of Francis from Assisi about life without material possessions, contact with the earth and with other people. The inhabitants and guests eat as much as possible from the garden. W: maintainance of the buildings, seasonal work in the garden (also when it rains!) together with inhabitants and local volunteers. S: Peace and dealing with conflicts in daily life. A: in the building. X: wheelchair accessibility, families welcome, vegetarian food, possibility to join the meditations (three times per day) of the inhabitants.

 

SPAIN

Camp Code: SpaSciMa11.1-06   Start Date: 3-Jul-2006   End Date: 16-Jul-2006   Country: Spain
Location: O’ PELOURO Caldelas de Tui (Pontevedra)   Type: RENO/FAMILY   Ages: 18+   Female Spaces: 2   Male Spaces: 2   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 15   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org/directory/SpaSciMaInfo.htm

“O Pelouro Axeito” project was first born as an educational centre that for 33 years now has been successfully working for social integration through an experimental and innovative approach. Part of it is also a beautifully restored abbey, La Abadía, dedicated to rural tourism, where former graduates of the school can find their first job; and La Factoria, a site devoted to youth-trainings, seminars and handicraft production. Through these different initiatives they actively promote local development and also open their project as a meeting-point for social movements, a place for sharing cultural experiences such as music, dance, theatre and art. The students don’t pay for the tuition since there is a special grant system that covers the costs. The camp takes place during school-holidays. W: Renovation of indoors and outdoors infrastructures. Be prepared to deal with improvisation and not detailed planning. Passion for what you do, creativity, hard work and to flow with life is the core of O Pelouro. L : Spanish & English. X: Parents with children welcome (check if still places available).

 

USA

Camp Code: UsaVfp03-06   Start Date: 15-Jun-2006   End Date: 21-Jun-2006   Country: Usa
Location: Nevada City, CA - Sierra Friends Center   Type: FAMILY/PEACE/MANUAL   Ages: All Ages!   Female Spaces: 5   Male Spaces: 5   Teen Camp: No   Volunteers: 10   VFP Fee: $250.00
Extra Fee: $0.00   Report Refund: $0.00   Partner Organization Info: www.vfp.org

***FAMILY CAMP*** WORK: Sierra Friends Center annual work camp. SFC is a residential educational institution in the Sierra Nevada foothills focusing on peace, social justice and sustainable living. SFC is under the care of the Society of Friends (Quakers). Educational programs serve high school students and adults. Work camp brings together dedicated volunteers of all ages for fun, community, and hard work that contributes to maintaining and improving the 230-acre site. Vols will help with implementing the site's long-range permaculture plan, which may involve organic gardening, light construction, painting, digging, repairs, etc. Community activities may include hiking, swimming, singing and folk dancing. Informal evening and weekend educational and recreational activities with our resident staff and local volunteers. Bring good boots, flashlight, hat, jacket or sweater, swimsuit, and sleeping bag. ACCOMMODATION: Shared cabins, central bathhouse, excellent organic vegetarian meals in our dining hall. LANGUAGE: English. LOCATION: 11/2-hour East of Sacramento, California. TERMINAL: Sacramento, California. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: No alcohol or tobacco use on campus. SPECIAL REMARKS: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.