📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
In a beautiful valley in the Hunsrück mountains, between the rivers Moselle and Rhine, lies the Reifenmühle, an old water mill. A hiking trail leads to the next village. The mill is self-sufficient, water comes from a spring, electricity is produced with the water wheel, food comes from the permaculture garden, there are chickens, rabbits, bees, a fish pond and other animals. Only a good internet line has reached the valley already. The historic site is maintained and cared for by a family that works and experiments with techniques that are as sustainable as possible.
The aim is to maintain the forest and meadow landscape in the spirit of landscape conservation, to preserve the historic place, to maintain the hydroelectric power system and to experiment with a climate-friendly way of life.
💼 What the programme involves
The work will consist of the management and conservation of the green valley. Especially the historic mill creek must be repaired. This sometimes involves heavier work with stone, mud and rock and takes place in and around the mill creek, which is a nice way to cool down in summer. Other landscape conservation measures include the creation of new biotopes or preserve existing ones. There is also lighter work in the garden and in caring for the animals, planting, harvesting, creating raised beds, repairing enclosures, or taking on smaller woodwork and handicrafts. Fishing can also be done for one's own use. Help with mapping local ecosystems is also very welcome.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The camp is located on a meadow close to the garden. You can stay in your own tent or in provided multi-person tents. The sanitary facilities are simple and sustainable, with a solar outdoor shower and a clean compost toilet. There is a covered open-air kitchen or you can cook under supervision over an open fire or with a rocket stove / smoker.
The food consists of many freshly harvested organic vegetables, eggs from the chickens, carp from the pond and some bought-in products. There is little meat, vegan and vegetarian is possible.
📍 About the location
The Reifenmühle is located in the low mountain range of the Hunsrück region. The former longest suspension rope bridge north of the Alps is only a 3-hour walk from the mill (https://geierlay.de/).
Excursions to the rivers Rhine and Moselle as well as to the somewhat larger town of Koblenz, where both rivers meet, are possible in 1-1.5 hours from Kastellaun. Typical for the area are the many old castles and towns as well as the largest German wine-growing area.
⚠️ Requirements
Willingness to work physically 6 hours a day and to engage in the simple conditions of a sustainable way of life. Enjoyment of country life with diverse challenges and opportunities. Curiosity to learn, try out and develop new techniques. Mindfulness, team spirit and self-initiative are highly desired. Feel free to bring games and musical instruments.
ℹ️ Additional information
INCOMING FEE for volunteers applying via partner organisations and contacts of SCI: https://sci-d.de/incomingfee
From 04.08. to 06.08. the biggest open air techno/rave festival in Europe will take place in Kastellaun (https://www.nature-one.de/en/). At the same time there is also another festival nearby with blues/rock/folk music (https://www.lott-festival.de/). You can easily combine a visit to one of the festivals with the camp.
