📝 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 Ma345;atice. 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 Ma345;atice 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 finish the haymaking, learn how to use scythe and connect young people interested in nature.This project is realized with the support of Johnson Controls.
💼 What the programme involves
Depends on the weather and preceding groups. The priority is to finish the haymaking in the meadows and in the rest of the time to maintain the reserve (cutting wood, protecting young trees, etc.) and the barn. During haymaking, those who cut the grass have to wake up very early and work until the dew gets dry. Then, the grass has to be returned with rakes, loaded on a car (using pitchfork) and transported to farmers. It is recommended to wear solid shoes, long sleeves and pants to avoid scratches from the hay. It is necessary to have a hat to be protected from sun. The meadows can be very wet so bring waterproof working shoes (or rubber boots) and rain-gear. Be aware that scythe is a dangerous tool and has to be handled cautiously (there will be a technical supervisor to teach you).
🏠 Accommodation on site
In tents. At the campsite there is also on 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. You will wash yourself in a cold stream next to the campsite and you ll use dry toilets. You will prepare your own meals i taking turns in kitchen services, the barn.
📍 About the location
Natural reserve Hute in White Carpathian Mountains close to itkova village (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.Study part: Lecture by a scholar from Masaryk University in Brno on the location, reasons for its protection and species that can be found there is planned. We can also arrange a beekeeping or a herbal workshop since Zitkova is very rich for healing herbs and famous for their collection. It is planned to visit Trencin (city in Slovakia).Leisure time: Hiking in the surrounding hills, swimming in a nearby pond (2 km), playing badminton and volleyball, collecting mushrooms and herbs, singing or playing music (ukulele, guitar), etc. Bring your musical instrument if you have any
⚠️ Requirements
The camp is suitable for volunteers who are not afraid of living and working in rougher conditions in close contact with nature. It is not recommended to people allergic to grasses (hay fever), wasp or bee stings.