📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The workcamp takes place in the Nature Reserve Hute, in the meadows of White Carpathian Mountains in cooperation with the environmental NGO Brontosaurus Maratice. The local meadows are unique by their biodiversity and their origin is related to man s activities. A regular cutting of the meadows enables even weaker plants to grow which means we can find up to 80 species in one square meter. Therefore, every summer in the last 25 years, volunteers from Brontosaurus Maratice have been coming for annual haymaking using the forgotten skills of our ancestors (manual scything). The process is supervised by botanists from the Masaryk University in Brno. The aim of the workcamp is to learn how to use scythe, cut and dry the grass and connect young people interested in nature.
💼 What the programme involves
The tasks are manual and range from less physically demanding jobs to harder ones. You will be involved in the haymaking in the meadows (scything, drying and colleting grass), maintenance of the reserve (cutting wood, protecting young trees, etc.) and the campsite (cleaning, helping in the kitchen etc.). During haymaking, volunteers wake up early to cut the grass until the dew gets dry. Then, the grass has to be turned with rakes, loaded on a car (using pitchfork) and transported to local farmers. To be protected from wet grass, scratches from the hay and potential scythe injuries, it is necessary to wear solid waterproof shoes, long sleeves and pants, and a hat to be protected from sun. Be aware that scythe can be a dangerous tool and has to be handled cautiously (there will be a technical supervisor to teach you).Study part: Lectures with experts on the protection of endangered flora, meeting local farmers and craftsmen, getting to know local history and myths (the so called Goddesses of Zitkova ). It will be possible to organize international evening - cook some traditional food from your countries, etc.
🏠 Accommodation on site
In tents. At the campsite there is also an old barn that is used as a kitchen, dining and common room. The nights can be very cold so bring a warm sleeping bag, sleeping mat and warm clothes. There is an outdoor shower and dry toilets in the campsite. You will have meals 5 times a day (vegetarian diet is possible but let us know) i you will be asked to help with cooking.
📍 About the location
Nature Reserve Hute in White Carpathian Mountains close to the village of Zitkova (170 inhabitants), South-East Moravia. The campsite is remote, located 2 km from the village and bus station. There is no wi-fi and the mobile signal is scarce.Leisure time: Outdoor activities, group games, creative workshops. Some activities will be organized and some will be up to you. The area is very nice for hiking and it s also possible to go swimming in the nearby pond (2 km). If you play any musical instrument, you are welcome to bring it with you
⚠️ Requirements
The camp is suitable for volunteers who are not afraid of living and working in basic conditions in close contact with nature. It is not recommended to people allergic to grass (hay fever) and wasp or bee stings. What to bring: warm sleeping bag, mat, solid boots, raincoat, hat, warm clothes (the weather close to the mountains is cold, especially during the night), torch (other instructions will be provided in the infosheet). Recommended departure from Zitkova is on Sunday 29th July at 8:50.
ℹ️ Additional information
TEEN WC, parental authorization, medical form