Work

The volunteers are asked to help on the excavation ground of the fortress with building work, repairing and painting walls, carrying stones or cleaning. Other tasks can be removing of bushes or documentation of your work. Furthermore, there are restoration works and embellishments in the village and the nearby hiking trails in the Thuringian forest. It is possible that you will be asked to help on another excavation place to do punctured excavations (1m x 1m) and filter the finds. Please be prepared for any work outside.

Partner

BurgVerein Weisbach e.V. http://www.wysburg.de/

Location

Area: Weisbach is a very small village in the mountains of Thüringen, not far from Saalfeld and surrounded by beautiful countryside with mountains, green valleys, forests and meadows. A fortress was built on a hill near the village in the 11th century but it was destroyed during the following century. It has become overgrown with trees and bushes since then. Systematic excavations began in 1984. Please be prepared to live and work in a very remote area! www.weisbach.info/bilder/bilder-von-weisbach Leisure Time: If you are interested in history, you will have the chance to learn a lot about the region and the fortress. You can travel to Weimar, which was the well known workplace of the poets Goethe and Schiller. You will be able to find out more about history and perhaps visit the former concentration camp Buchenwald. It will also be possible to go to a nearby castle called „Schloss Burg“. Perhaps you will get to see the concert of the world famous organ „Silbermannorgel“. You could go for a boat trip on the river Saale or just enjoy the natural environment while walking around the area. Please be aware that you will be in a very rural area from where it is quite difficult to get away (for shopping etc.), but there are very nice people in the village who are interested in meeting you.

Accomodation

Accommodation: You will live in a community house in the village, with toilet and shower facilities provided. All bed linen is provided. Food: The locals will prepare lunch. Breakfast and evening meals will be prepared by the volunteers in a small kitchen. So please bring recipes and special ingredients with you for cooking and to present meals from your country.

Work

For several years now, volunteer work camps have been helping to clear paths and secure the remains of buildings on the site of the former Zeithain prisoner of war camp. This makes it possible to walk around the site with visitors and explain the history of the camp. Remains of buildings as well as roads and paths have already been recovered. Further work is necessary, for example clearing and cutting free overgrown building sites and paths and renewing wooden shelters to protect the exposed building remains from the weather. The Ehrenhain Zeithain memorial commemorates the at least 25,000 people who fell victim to malnutrition and catastrophic conditions in the Wehrmacht prisoner-of-war camp from 1941 to 1945. As part of the German war of extermination against the Soviet Union, a prisoner of war camp was set up in Zeithain in 1941. Initially, only Soviet soldiers from the Red Army were held in the camp. At the time, Ukrainian and Russian soldiers fought together in the Red Army. Up to 30,000 of them died as a result of inhumane living conditions. From February 1943, the camp served as a central hospital for prisoners of war. Prisoners from other nations also arrived during this period. Italian soldiers formed a large group. The majority of them also died due to inadequate nutrition and poor medical care. The dead were buried in five cemeteries in the municipality of Zeithain. The memorial is located in one of the cemeteries. An exhibition and name plaques commemorate the victims of the camp. The area of the POW camp was completely cleared after 1945. The huge 66-hectare site is now part of the Gohrischheide nature reserve and is an unmanaged natural landscape. The aim of this work camp is to give young people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with archaeological challenges by researching the historical heritage, but also to acquire knowledge about forms of remembrance work.

Partner

The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

Location

The camp site and the village of Zeithain are located in a rural setting characterised by the Elbe river and surrounding floodplains. Zeithain is nevertheless very centrally located in the triangle between the major cities of Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. All cities can be reached by public transport in around one hour. The nearest town is Riesa, 15 kilometres away. There is also a swimming lake in the neighbourhood. In Riesa you can go shopping, eat ice cream or sit in the beer garden by the Elbe. So you have many opportunities to organise your free time in a positive and varied way and get to know the surrounding area.

Accomodation

You cook together. Money for the food shopping is provided to you. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any allergies when registering. You are accommodated in a clubhouse (usage only for the workcamp group) with several bedrooms and kitchen

Requirements

The distance from the accommodation to the camp is 5 km. Bicycles and a vehicle are available for this purpose. You can explore the area by bike, e.g. along the Elbe cycle path. We will provide bicycles for you.

Meeting point

Participants will be picked up from Riesa train station at different times on the day of arrival, at 1 pm, 3 pm or later, by arrangement. Your accommodation is located in Zeithain. More Information about train and bus connections: www.bahn.com or https://www.bvg.de/en

Descrizione

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Work

Participants will work on the grounds of a former external camp of the Ravensbrück women’s concentration camp, where hundreds of women were forced to work under extreme conditions in the armaments industry during World War II. To honor their memory, a memorial is being created on the site. In the first step, volunteers will physically assist in preparing the area and carrying out initial construction measures. At the same time, they will have the opportunity to contribute ideas for the design of the memorial, ensuring that it becomes a dignified place of remembrance and education.

Partner

Since 1990, NiG has been bringing together socially engaged youth and dedicated volunteers to organize and run international work camps in Germany, as well as multilateral youth exchanges both at home and abroad. As part of a global network, we also connect young people with meaningful projects through our partner organizations worldwide. Over the years, thousands of participants from 42 countries have collaborated on impactful initiatives. With more than 800 work camps completed, we continue to create opportunities for cultural exchange, learning, and social engagement. In our multi-week camps, volunteers contribute to essential and much-needed projects in various fields, including: > Environmental conservation and sustainability > Working with children and youth > Arts and culture > Preservation of historical landmarks

Location

LOCATION: Malchow is a small town in the south of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, situated between two large lakes. The region offers numerous recreational opportunities, from beautiful nature and water sports to relaxing walks along the lakes. Malchow also has a rich and moving history: During World War II, it was the external camp of the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where hundreds of women were forced to work under inhuman conditions. Today, remembrance of this time serves as a reminder of the importance of advocating for peace and humanity. LEISURE: Volunteers can swim, explore the surroundings by water, or go on bike tours. Excursions to cities such as Rostock are also possible. In the evenings, group games or creative activities provide opportunities for exchange.

Accomodation

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be accommodated in a youth hostel. They will sleep in shared rooms. The accommodation is simple and functional, providing a good base for the shared experience in the workcamp. FOOD: Volunteers will enjoy freshly cooked, delicious meals, including vegetarian options.