📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The workcamp takes place in the village of Ceske Kopisty in cooperation with the local Free Farm which is part of the Camphill Community. This family-like community provides space both for people with special needs and for those without disability to work and live together. The inhabitants can develop their skills in agriculture, textile and beewax candle making. The farm grows mainly organic vegetables and herbs. It promotes the importance of biodynamic agriculture and the role of farmers in today s world. They take care of the countryside as a whole i together with the farm, it s a living organism. The farm is an NGO but through selling the products they try to develop relationships with other farmers and individual customers using the concept of community-based agriculture .
💼 What the programme involves
Manual work is highly appreciated at the Free Farm. Its agricultural project couldn t be maintained without volunteers. Firstly, you will be helping on the organic farm - weeding, planting, digging up, harvesting, cleaning, storing, watering, collecting herbs, etc. The work is done outdoors and is usually physically demanding. Secondly, the house and its surroundings are still being renovated so some minor construction and renovation works can be done depending on current needs. Bring good working clothes, solid shoes, a hat and a raincoat.Study part: Lectures about the Camphill movement, Steiners anthroposophy, living in a community, biodynamic agriculture, about Czech and other cultures. It will be also possible to organize workshops on e.g. bee wax candle making, eurythmy and intuitive pedagogy. If you are interested in organizing an international evening for everyone to present their national cuisine and culture, there will be space for it. Bring your favourite recipes and some specific ingredients.
🏠 Accommodation on site
In 1 attic room on mattresses. Bring a sleeping bag A common room, 2 showers with hot water and 2 toilets are available. Local partner will provide food and vegetables from the farm for cooking (vegetarian diet is possible). You will prepare breakfasts and dinners on your own as a group, lunches will be prepared by all the members of the community with help of volunteers.
📍 About the location
Ceske Kopisty i a small village near the historical town of Litomerice. The farm is working on 11 ha of fields; there is a garden and a yard with a couple of animals (cow, horse, hens, ducks, pigs). The area is quite vast i there are 3 houses for living, workshops and a common hall. There are 6 adults, 4 children and 8 people with special needs living there. You might meet around 20 other external co-workers.Leisure time: Barbecue with the members of the community, playing football and visiting the local pub, swimming in the river, visiting the nearby Terezin Memorial at the location of the former concentration camp for Jews i the Terezin Ghetto, going for trips to the nature protected area of Ceske Stredohori (cities of Litomerice, Usti nad Labem, castles, nature).
⚠️ Requirements
The workcamp is suitable for people who are interested in farming and learning about the community. As you will stay in the place for people with mental disabilities, there are certain rules: smoking and consumption of alcohol within the community area are restricted and it is necessary to respect the privacy and night rest of the inhabitants. Be aware that some inhabitants don t speak English.