Cool temperatures make us aware of the ending Workcamp Season. But the thought of all those helping volunteers sent around the world for a good cause makes us feel much warmer. The feedback by number of placements as well as talks with projects partners, showed Workcamp Switzerland is heading in the right direction. Motivated we can now prepare for you during the cold winter months new hot offers.

Workcamp season 2008

Again, this season there was a great demand for voluntary services. In total 53 volunteers worked abroad in different camps. Mexican turtles can breed eggs without getting disturbed, the coastline of Flateyri (Iceland) has been cleaned and in India children can enjoy their new writing materials and english skills. Only a few examples which show the importance of voluntary services.

Also our local projects went well. In Tobel a gorgeous flower garden has been built. Many teenagers in our Fribourg camps have been encouraged to speak much more French or German. Lots of fantastic pictures made by international young artists are hanging up at Solothurn parlors. A new dry stone wall in Beatenberg has been built at the well-frequented pilgrims´ way. Without the help of 84 volunteers from Korea, Japan, Russia, Georgia, Poland, Spain and many other countries more this would not have been possible.

We also want to thank the media, schools and institutions which provided us free of charge their promotional platforms. They played an important part in contributing to those great number of volunteers. Thank you!

Catch the sunshine

The Workcamp Season 2008 in Switzerland is over but still not in the rest of the world. In many countries organisations are waiting for volunteers such as in Mexico, India, Indonesia or Vietnam. Everybody who want to leave the cold weather behind and like to do something new, since you are bored of everyday life, have a look at our website and search our data base! You will find exciting projects for the winter season and even already for next year. By the way, you can even apply for longterm services.

And that a workcamp is worth it, can be proved by those statements:

"It was a great bunch of positive people!" Marilynn Geiger.

"I've learned a lot and I recommend the workcamp to everyone who's got the opportunity to go!" Catharina Tran.

"It was a great experience and I would do it again!" Jessica Dalla Valle.

"I think that the workcamp was a really good experience in my life and I made a lot of contacts with people from other countries." Sarah Eggo.

"Space for filling out is not enough to describe all the impressive moments and to write just one is not fair." Mauro Kuny.

Workcamp party 2008

Our workcamp party is as usual a good chance to swap ideas and experiences on workcamps. But it is also a good opportunity for all those who have been thinking of applying for a camp but never did so far. Maybe this is the next step for you and talks with experienced volunteers can always be helpful.

It is not too late to sign up for the workcamp party in Zurich. Invitation with details can be send on request. It would give us a great pleasure to see you.

For active volunteers

The Armenian Workcamp Organisation HUJ in Yerevan offers an exciting seminar along the lines of "Human Rights Learning and training". It will take place from 15. to 19. October in Yerevan. Topics are mainly human rights and your knowledge, motivating volunteers, to enhance human rights and giving examples, how to organise volunteer services. Part of the travelling fees will be paid.

This seminar is addressed to active volunteers who want to become more active. Registration form as well as detailled information can be obtained from us or directly at the Armenian Organisation: huj@arminco.com.

The next newsletter will be send end of December. We wish all of you a colourful and heart-warming autumn.

The team of Workcamp Switzerland

Questions, suggestions or miscellaneous send an E-Mail