📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The workcamp is organised in cooperation with EUROSOLAR. EUROSOLAR promotes renewable energies and a sustainable lifestyle; it engages in youth environmental education and organises environmental summer camps for children, youth and families. The workcamp takes place in a remote but exceptionally beautiful, hilly area of the Bohemian Forest, near the western border of the Czech Republic. The campsite is isolated from civilization and we welcome volunteers that are fond of trying out a basic lifestyle in the forest and do not mind longer walks. The main goal is to help maintain meadows in a nature-protected area, maintain the campsite and enjoy nature. At this workcamp, you will actively contribute to the achievement of UN SDG15 Life on Land.
💼 What the programme involves
Work: Children and parents will work together when possible (e.g. helping with cooking, collecting wood, har-vesting vegetables and gardening). Work will be organised in two groups. The first one will be working in a nature reserve located 3km away from the campsite, their work will consist of mowing grass, raking and col-lecting grass. Please note that the meadows can be very wet; bring waterproof working shs (or rubber boots), a raincoat and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. The second group will be working on the campsite preparing food, collecting wood, doing maintenance tasks or working in the nearby forest.Study part: Evening discussions about climate, environment, sustainability or recycling. You will have the unique opportunity to try archery, play games and learn how to recognize stars. Also, as you will be living in close contact with nature, you will improve your camping skills and learn a lot about local fauna and flora. Every evening, there will be a group meditation and stick talking in a special sacred tee-pee.
🏠 Accommodation on site
In tee-pees with a fireplace in the centre. Large families will have their own tee-pees; smaller families will share tee-pees. You will sleep on wooden pads and mattresses stuffed with hay. The nights might be very cold, bring a very warm sleeping bag, camping mat and some warm clothes. You will bathe in a small river with cold water next to the campsite, the toilets are dry and outdoors. You will cook together as a group on a fireplace. The food is only vegetarian. You can charge your cell phone with a solar-electricity generator. There is limited phone coverage and no Wifi.
📍 About the location
Location: Stara Knizeci Hut (Bohemian Forest): Latitude: 49.72222 / Longitude: 12.468973The campsite is in a remote part of the village of Lesna in the Bohemian Forest near the German border. The nearest bus stop is Stara Knizeci Hut and the nearest bigger town is Tachov. The campsite is located about 30 minutes walk from the nearest bus station.Leisure time: Hiking in the surrounding countryside. You can visit the ruins of the Zahaji castle or go on trips to the Czech towns in the neighbourhood (e.g. Marianske Lazne). The project is situated on the border with Ger-many thus a trip to Germany could be an option. Besides, you can try archery, play games, handcraft or experi-ence an Indian sauna. If you have any games, musical instruments or any other activity you could share or teach the group in the campsite conditions, you are welcome to bring them.
ℹ️ Additional information
This workcamp is for families with 5 years old children or individuals. We expect participants to be nature lovers, open-minded, flexible and interested in living in an eco-friendly and community way. Every year, there are several children and family-friendly camps organised, so even if the accommodation and facilities are basic, they are suitable for children. Because the work will take place outside, beware of allergies to grass, pollen, insects, etc. On departure day, there are only 1-2 connections from Stara Knizeci Hut to take you back to Prague with arrival in the afternoon/evening, so consider that when planning the trip.