In February you shudder at the thought of planting a garden or renovating a pilgrim trail. In April you start thinking of active holidays, and in May we receive the first applications. Months quickly passes by and it is already June. Workcamp season has been opened and preparations are going full steam ahead. Now, it is time for the volunteers from all over the world who come to Switzerland to work voluntary.

Workcamp-Season 2008

In a few days´ time we welcome the first volunteers. They will work on the pilgrim place Komturei Tobel, delight people in Solothurn with creativity, bind together German and French speaking Swiss teenagers in Fribourg and renovate the pilgrim trail in Beatenberg.

In less time all eight camps were fully booked. We had to refuse many requests. But it is good to notice the large interest in volunteering in Switzerland. Especially eastern countries seem to be fascinated by Switzerland. Unfortunately we can not offer everybody a place. The rush was too big for our few offered projects. But our worldwide project partners understand this matter and will send again next year many motivated volunteers.

Our aim for next year is to offer more projects. Therefore we need much more support. On the one hand we need sponsors to finance our projects. On the other hand we need further project partners in order to set up new camps. With full commitment and support we can make it.

Campleader training

In each workcamp there is one campleader who has certain responsibilities. We are glad about the campleader candidates who will be in charge of our camps this year. They will attend to work and volunteers. In workshops campleaders are getting prepared for their job. Planned was a campleader weekend, but we decided this time for individual trainings and small group trainings. So we can cater more for their needs and abilities.

WE STILL HAVE FREE PLACES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEADING OR CO-LEADING OUR CAMPS CONTACT US.

Media relations prospers

In the last two months we were able to advertise in many different medias free of charge. The result: more than 40 volunteers signed up for workcamps abroad. And still many applications have not been answered yet. Our phone rings continously and the mailbox is overcrowded. We are delighted at such a great demand.

We like to thank particularly: News, 20 Minuten, Baslerstab, Schweizer Familie, Globetrotter and Wiler Nachrichten. Beside those many online platforms agreed on advertisements free of charge. Thank you very much.

Election of new president

The general meeting took place on 26th April at the ´Komturei´ in Tobel. Beside sunny weather, all members enjoyed the excitement at the prospect of the season as well as the agreement on the new president Andreas Schneider. All members have been re-elected.

New website

Maybe you have already recognized - our website has changed. Modern, shorter textes and an easy navigation. You do not agree, let us know. We will try to put your suggestions into practice. Nevertheless, we hope your are surprised in a positive way.
The next newsletter will be send end of Semptember. We wish everybody a wonderful summer.

The team of Workcamp Switzerland

Questions, suggestions or miscellaneous send an E-Mail