SUISSE   2008

Workcamp Switzerland    18-30 ans

By organizing and arranging international workcamps, Workcamp Switzerland aims to achieve a double effect :  

• On the one hand, it aims to support social, cultural and ecological projects which can hardly be realized without the aid of volunteers.

• On the other hand, it aims to enable young people from Switzerland and other countries to have learning experiences and encounters which deepen their understanding of other cultures, strengthen their sense of responsibility, extend their practical experience and further their cooperative skills.  

Workcamp Switzerland is an association under Articles 60ff of the Swiss Civil Code. The association is non-profit-making, independent of political parties and religiously neutral.

Workcamp Switzerland is supported by: 

• Office for Youth at the Swiss Federal Office for Social Insurance

• Foundation of the commandery in Tobel

• Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism 

General remarks about the program  

Language: Volunteers need to be able to communicate in English. Most of the workcamps take place in the Swiss-German-Speaking part of Switzerland . The local dialects may be hard to understand for volunteers speaking standard German. In the projects in Fribourg the Workcamp language is French and German.  

Work: Volunteers work 6 hours a day, there is no work on week-ends.  

Insurance: Volunteers are responsible for getting sufficient insurance coverage for their   travels and stay in Switzerland . Workcamp Switzerland only covers third part liability.  

Free time activities: Volunteers need to pay for free time activities.  

Relation to the host: Most of our hosts are particularly interested in an intercultural exchange with the volunteers. Volunteers are expected to share more than only their working hours with the hosts.      

Swiss Confederation – General information  

Geography: Switzerland is situated in the middle of Europe . It borders Germany , Austria , Liechtenstein , Italy and France .  

Size and population: The land area is 41,285 km² and it has 7,3 inhabitants from which 20 % are foreigners. Capital city is Bern .  

The landscape is breathtaking everywhere in Switzerland . The traditional architecture is used even nowadays. Wherever you go the country side is beautiful with old style villages          surrounded by nature. The most famous mountain chains are Jura Plateau and the Alps . The best about Switzerland is that you can see completely different landscapes during a 2 to 3 hours train trip.  

Language & Culture: Switzerland is a multicultural country. 20 % of the population are     foreigners. There are four official languages in Switzerland : Swiss-German, French, Italian and Raeto-romance. Traditional cooking includes delicious potato dishes and cheese specialities like fondue and raclette. Swiss folk culture includes yodelling and playing the alp horn. Switzerland is also famous for its quality chocolate.

Climate: The climate varies throughout Switzerland . In the Alpine regions the temperatures tend to be low and high up there is snow all year round. In valleys the temperatures are higher and summers are warmer.  

Federal system: Switzerland is a federal state which consists of 26 highly independent     cantons (own laws & languages). Switzerland has three different political levels: the Federation (Bund), the Cantons (Kantone) and the Local Authorities (Gemeinden).  

Indirect and direct democracy: Switzerland gives its citizens the chance to take a direct part in decision-making. The Swiss direct democracy system is probably the most extensive in the world. 

Swiss Neutrality? The Swiss have a somewhat contradictory attitude to foreign countries. On the one hand, the economy is very outward looking, ordinary people travel a lot and speak several languages, on the other hand, the Swiss tend to keep distance from close involvement in international bodies: Switzerland is not part of the European Union and only voted to join the UN in 2002.

Many international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation, based their headquarters in Geneva . The international Red Cross has its head quarter in Switzerland where the organisation was originally formed during WWI.  

Economy: Switzerland ’s economy is based on a highly qualified labour force. The main  areas microtechnology, hitech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as banking and insurance.

Currency: Swiss Franc Sfr. / CHF. Major credit cards are accepted. Traveller cheques are accepted at airports; railway stations and banks.

Safety: Switzerland is one of the safest countries in Europe , but crowds of tourists will sometimes bring out pickpockets. In most cities the areas around the train stations tend to be some what seedy.

LES CHANTIERS 2008

   AGE: 18-30 ans 

WS08T01     Tobel      26.07. – 09.08.2008      AGRI / ENVI 

PROJECT : The assignment of this project has the aim of the appreciation of assets in the tradition of the buildings. There are three main dimensions:

• Economical use of the cultural relic and buildings of historic importance
• Enlivenment through interactions of different people and organisations who are working together
• Holistic experience: thinking and feeling, working and regenerating

The first step is the rebuilding and renovation of the buildings around the ground in the front. The whole area has to get restored and it’s planned to build a heating system.  

WORK : The main task of the work includes the rearrangement of the weather-beaten and shabby gardens. First of all the volunteers will rearrange the central baroque garden and the vegetable garden. This includes the walls, the fences, small footpaths and last but not least the final planting. The work can, depending on the weather, include other works. Volunteers have to be aware to have a good condition to do this kind of work.  

ACCOMODATION : Volunteers will either live in the principal baroque building of the monastery (it’s arranged provisionally) or in the pilgrim house that has been renovated by volunteers in 2006 and 2007. The house was originally built for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In the pilgrim house and in the main building there is a kitchen, showers and toilets.  

LOCATION : In 1228 the Johannitarian order of chivalry founded the monastery in Tobel. Later the monastery became the centre of a large land holdings owned by the government. Around the monastery Tobel, which is a small village in the canton of Thurgau, has been built. In 1747 the original buildings of the monastery have been replaced by a baroque building. After the closing of the Johannitarian order of chivalry the canton took over the ownerless estate in 1807. From 1811 to 1973 the buildings were used as the state prison.  

In the canton of Thurgau there are idyllic, hilly and green landscapes as far as you can see. There are excellent hiking and biking possibilities and you can travel from the lake of Konstanz to Zurich . In the neighbourhood you will also find pubs/ restaurants with its unique Swiss atmosphere. From the train station in Tobel you can reach bigger towns such as Wil (10 minutes), St. Gallen or Winterthur (40 minutes). If you’d like to go to Zurich it takes around 1 hour. It takes around 40 minutes to travel to Konstanz .  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The project leader of the foundation of the monastery, Mr. Walter Strasser, the project leader of the workcamps, Mr. Simon Sax and Workcamp Switzerland are looking forward to work together with an international group of volunteers and to spend an unforgettable time together.    

LANGUAGE : English

WS08T02     Tobel     16.08. – 30.08.2008     AGRO / ENVI 

PROJECT : The assignment of this project has the aim of the appreciaton of assets in the tradition of the buildings. There are three main dimensions:

• Economical use of the cultural relic and building of historic importance

• Enlivenment through interactions of different people and organisations who are working together

• Holistic experience: thinking and feeling, working and regenerating

  The first step is the rebuilding and renovation of the buildings around the ground in the front. The whole area has to get restored and it’s planned to build a heating system.  

WORK : The main task of the work includes the rearrangement of the weather-beaten and shabby gardens. First of all the volunteers will rearrange the central baroque garden and the vegetable garden. This includes the walls, the fences, small footpaths and last but not least the final planting. The work can, depending on the weather, include other works. Volunteers have to be aware to have a good condition to do this kind of work.

ACCOMODATION : Volunteers will either live in the principal baroque building of the monastery (it’s arranged provisionally) or in the pilgrim house that has been renovated by volunteers in 2006 and 2007. The house was originally built for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In the pilgrim house and in the main building there is a kitchen, showers and toilets.  

LOCATION : In 1228 the Johannitarian order of chivalry founded the monastery in Tobel. Later the monastery became the centre of a large land holdings owned by the government. Around the monastery Tobel, which is a small village in the canton of Thurgau, has been built. In 1747 the original buildings of the monastery have been replaced by a baroque building. After the closing of the johannitarian order of chivalry the canton took over the ownerless estate in 1807. From 1811 to 1973 the buildings were used as the state prison.  

In the canton of Thurgau there are idyllic, hilly and green landscapes as far as you can see. There are excellent hiking and biking possibilities and you can travel from the lake of Konstanz to Zurich . In the neighbourhood you will also find pubs/ restaurants with its unique Swiss atmosphere. From the train station in Tobel you can reach bigger towns such as Wil (10 minutes), St. Gallen or Winterthur (40 minutes). If you’d like to go to Zurich it takes around 1 hour. It takes around 40 minutes to travel to Konstanz .  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The project leader of the foundation of the monastery of Tobel, Mr. Walter Strasser, the project leader of the workcamps, Mr. Simon Sax and Workcamp Switzerland are looking forward to work together with an international group of volunteers and to spend an unforgettable time together. 

 LANGUAGE : English

WS08T03     Tobel     06.09. – 20.09.2008      AGRO / ENVI     

PROJECT : The assignment of this project has the aim of the appreciaton of assets in the tradition of the buildings. There are three main dimensions:

• Economical use of the cultural relic and building of historic importance

• Enlivenment through interactions of different people and organisations who are working together

• Holistic experience: thinking and feeling, working and regenerating

  The first step is the rebuilding and renovation of the buildings around the ground in the front. The whole area has to get restored and it’s planned to build a heating system.  

WORK : The main task of the work includes the rearrangement of the weather-beaten and shabby gardens. First of all the volunteers will rearrange the central baroque garden and the vegetable garden. This includes the walls, the fences, small footpaths and last but not least the final planting. The work can, depending on the weather, include other works. Volunteers have to be aware to have a good condition to do this kind of work.  

ACCOMODATION : Volunteers will either live in the principal baroque building of the monastery (it’s arranged provisionally) or in the pilgrim house that has been renovated by volunteers in 2006 and 2007. The house was originally built for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In the pilgrim house and in the main building there is a kitchen, showers and toilets.  

LOCATION : In 1228 the Johannitarian order of chivalry founded the monastery in Tobel. Later the monastery became the centre of a large land holdings owned by the government. Around the monastery Tobel, which is a small village in the canton of Thurgau, has been built. In 1747 the original buildings of the monastery have been replaced by a baroque building. After the closing of the johannitarian order of chivalry the canton took over the ownerless estate in 1807. From 1811 to 1973 the buildings were used as the state prison.  

In the canton of Thurgau there are idyllic, hilly and green landscapes as far as you can see. There are excellent hiking and biking possibilities and you can travel from the lake of Konstanz to Zurich . In the neighbourhood you will also find pubs/ restaurants with its unique Swiss atmosphere. From the train station in Tobel you can reach bigger towns such as Wil (10 minutes), St. Gallen or Winterthur (40 minutes). If you’d like to go to Zurich it takes around 1 hour. It takes around 40 minutes to travel to Konstanz .  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The project leader of the foundation of the monastery of Tobel, Mr. Walter Strasser, the project leader of the workcamps, Mr. Simon Sax and Workcamp Switzerland are looking forward to work together with an international group of volunteers and to spend an unforgettable time together. 

 LANGUAGE : English

WS08F01      Fribourg     06.07. – 19.07.2008     SOCI / KIDS     

LANGUAGE: German and French

PROJECT : The goal of the group “fRilingue” is to offer teenagers (age: 13-20 years) a two week language camp with a small budget. The courses will take place in the student centre “Centre Fries” in the town of Fribourg . The aim of “fRilingue” is to combine language courses (French and German) in the morning with free time activities such as sport, music, dance, theatre and cinema in the afternoons. The special advantage of this project is the mixture of adolescents from the French and the German part of Switzerland . Normally there is not so much interaction between adolescents from these two parts despite them belonging to the same country. We call it in German the “Röstigraben”. There will be some special programmes in the nights and on the weekends such as trips to lakes, beautiful villages and other tourist attractions.  

WORK : Volunteers will support the teenagers during the afternoon programmes and organize various activities in the evening such as karaoke, disco or campfires. There will be around 30 teenagers who speak French or German. The volunteers will not teach the students. This will be done by local students who are finishing university soon. It would be helpful if volunteers know how to prepare a meal for a bigger group, but they don’t have to be professionals. Another task is to prepare and cook lunch for the whole group, for this two volunteers are needed. Three volunteers will be responsible for the afternoon program from 2 to 6. In the evening three volunteers are needed to look after the youngsters. The volunteers are free to decide who they share the tasks. The work will not be very strenuous.  

ACCOMMODATION : Volunteers will sleep in a private flat near “centre fries”. There will be cooking facilities, toilets and showers.  

LOCATION : “Centre fries” is located close to the old town of Fribourg . Fribourg is a fun student town of 32,000 inhabitants.  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The volunteers should be interested in leading a group of young people and getting involved in various activities. fRilingue looks for volunteers which are either sportive, creative or have a particular skill to work with adolescents. A short motivation letter explaining why they want to join this camp would be appreciated, but not necessary.                            

LEISURE TIME / BENEFIT FOR THE VOLUNTEERS : The volunteers will see the beautiful region of Fribourg. Twice a week, they will accompany the adolescents on an afternoon journey to the lakes and mountains close to Fribourg. On the weekends longer excursions are planned, where the whole group of volunteers is invited to participate. The evenings will involve social events where the volunteers can participate and enjoy.  

TRAVEL / ARRIVAL : You can reach Fribourg from Geneva , Berne or Zurich airport (and Basel ). It takes around one and a half hours from Geneva , 30 minutes from Berne and one hour and twenty minutes from Zurich airport by train.

 LANGUAGE : German / French

WS08F02      Fribourg     20.07. - 02.08.2008     SOCI / KIDS

LANGUAGE: German and French

PROJECT : The goal of the group “fRilingue” is to offer teenagers (age: 13-20 years) a two week language camp with a small budget. The courses will take place in the student centre “Centre Fries” in the town of Fribourg . The aim of “fRilingue” is to combine language courses (French and German) in the morning with free time activities such as sport, music, dance, theatre and cinema in the afternoons. The special advantage of this project is the mixture of adolescents from the French and the German part of Switzerland . Normally there is not so much interaction between adolescents from these two parts despite them belonging to the same country. We call it in German the “Röstigraben”. There will be some special programmes in the nights and on the weekends such as trips to lakes, beautiful villages and other tourist attractions.  

WORK : Volunteers will support the teenagers during the afternoon programmes and organize various activities in the evening such as karaoke, disco or campfires. There will be around 30 teenagers who speak French or German. The volunteers will not teach the students. This will be done by local students who are finishing university soon. It would be helpful if volunteers know how to prepare a meal for a bigger group, but they don’t have to be professionals. Another task is to prepare and cook lunch for the whole group, for this two volunteers are needed. Three volunteers will be responsible for the afternoon program from 2 to 6. In the evening three volunteers are needed to look after the youngsters. The volunteers are free to decide who they share the tasks. The work will not be very strenuous.

 ACCOMMODATION : Volunteers will sleep in a private flat near “centre fries”. There will be cooking facilities, toilets and showers.  

LOCATION : “Centre fries” is located close to the old town of Fribourg . Fribourg is a fun student town of 32,000 inhabitants.  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The volunteers should be interested in leading a group of young people and getting involved in various activities. fRilingue looks for volunteers which are either sportive, creative or have a particular skill to work with adolescents. A short motivation letter explaining why they want to join this camp would be appreciated, but not necessary.                            

LEISURE TIME / BENEFIT FOR THE VOLUNTEERS : The volunteers will see the beautiful region of Fribourg. Twice a week, they will accompany the adolescents on an afternoon journey to the lakes and mountains close to Fribourg. On the weekends longer excursions are planned, where the whole group of volunteers is invited to participate. The evenings will involve social events where the volunteers can participate and enjoy.  

TRAVEL / ARRIVAL : You can reach Fribourg from Geneva , Berne or Zurich airport (and Basel ). It takes around one and a half hours from Geneva , 30 minutes from Berne and one hour and twenty minutes from Zurich airport by train.

 LANGUAGE : German/ French

WS08F03      Fribourg     03.08. - 16.08.2008     SOCI / KIDS

PROJECT : The goal of the group “fRilingue” is to offer teenagers (age: 13-20 years) a two week language camp with a small budget. The courses will take place in the student centre “Centre Fries” in the town of Fribourg . The aim of “fRilingue” is to combine language courses (French and German) in the morning with free time activities such as sport, music, dance, theatre and cinema in the afternoons. The special advantage of this project is the mixture of adolescents from the French and the German part of Switzerland . Normally there is not so much interaction between adolescents from these two parts despite them belonging to the same country. We call it in German the “Röstigraben”. There will be some special programmes in the nights and on the weekends such as trips to lakes, beautiful villages and other tourist attractions.  

WORK : Volunteers will support the teenagers during the afternoon programmes and organize various activities in the evening such as karaoke, disco or campfires. There will be around 30 teenagers who speak French or German. The volunteers will not teach the students. This will be done by local students who are finishing university soon. It would be helpful if volunteers know how to prepare a meal for a bigger group, but they don’t have to be professionals. Another task is to prepare and cook lunch for the whole group, for this two volunteers are needed. Three volunteers will be responsible for the afternoon program from 2 to 6. In the evening three volunteers are needed to look after the youngsters. The volunteers are free to decide who they share the tasks. The work will not be very strenuous.  

ACCOMMODATION : Volunteers will sleep in a private flat near “centre fries”. There will be cooking facilities, toilets and showers.  

LOCATION : “Centre fries” is located close to the old town of Fribourg . Fribourg is a fun student town of 32,000 inhabitants.  

REMARKS / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : The volunteers should be interested in leading a group of young people and getting involved in various activities. fRilingue looks for volunteers which are either sportive, creative or have a particular skill to work with adolescents. A short motivation letter explaining why they want to join this camp would be appreciated, but not necessary.                            

LEISURE TIME / BENEFIT FOR THE VOLUNTEERS : The volunteers will see the beautiful region of Fribourg. Twice a week, they will accompany the adolescents on an afternoon journey to the lakes and mountains close to Fribourg. On the weekends longer excursions are planned, where the whole group of volunteers is invited to participate. The evenings will involve social events where the volunteers can participate and enjoy.  

TRAVEL / ARRIVAL : You can reach Fribourg from Geneva , Berne or Zurich airport (and Basel ). It takes around one and a half hours from Geneva , 30 minutes from Berne and one hour and twenty minutes from Zurich airport by train.  

LANGUAGE : German / French

WS08S1     Solothurn     10.08. – 24.08.2008      ART

 PROJECT : The “interkulturelle Kreativwerkstatt” Solothurn (intercultural creativity workshop Solothurn) is the name of a small union of local artists, working in the region of Solothurn. There is a writer, a photographer, a painter, a guitarist and from time to time some other artists working together on different projects like performances and sculpture expositions.  

The idea is to take texts written in different languages and to paint them on canvas in order to create written paintings. The point is to let yourselfe be touched by the art and to start an intercultural dialogue between the international volunteers, the artists and the local public.

 WORK : Volunteers will paint their texts using various techniques on canvas.

The volunteers will also offer workshops for local schools. The teachers and the students are looking forward to meeting international volunteers in the workshop and working with them.

At the end of the Workcamp, volunteers will organize an exposition in Solothurn and show their art to the public. The paintings will be sold and the money will be used to initiate further projects aiming to enhance intercultural dialogue.

ACCOMMODATION : Dorms in the “Steinhauerhaus”, that is a traditional farmhouse in St. Niklaus, Solothurn.  

LOCATION : Solothurn offers everything what you can expect from a small Swiss town: an old town with historical and picturesque buildings, lively activities for young people and hiking for those who love to spend time in the nature.  

REMARKS / REQUIREMENTS : You will spend most of your time with the people in charge at the Intercultural creativity workshop.  

Volunteers applying for this project need to be creative and talented. Experience in creating arts is an advantage. 

All volunteers are required to send a MOTIVATION LETTER showing their interest, experience and knowledge in the field of art. <