Work-Camps

ABBREVIATIONS: ARCH: Archaeological; ART: Art; FEST: Festival; ENVI: Environmental; KIDS: Children; RENO: Renovation; CONS: Construction; AGRI: Agricultural; SOCI: Social Service; SPORT: Sport; TEACH: teaching; TEEN: Teenagers; TRAIN: Training

TRG001  YOUTH FESTIVAL   ISTANBUL    10.04 - 18.04 

A nation wide Youth Festival called “Gepgenç (Ever Young)  Festival” was held last year for the first time and going to be held again this year.  The first festival’s theme was “All Equal – All Different” and hosted 5000 young visitors. It was a  6 days ongoing festival and it consisted of  86 workshops on art, music, dance, human rights, peace, etc., 1 panel, a best practice conference based on youth work activities in Turkey, 3 theatre performance, 5 dance shows. 151 NGOs from all around Turkey participated in the festival.
This year the festival is going to be an international one, with the participation of 150 NGOs from all over the world. The theme of this year’s festival is “Neighbourliness”. The festival program will consist of  workshops, success stories of youth projects, concerts, games, forums, discussions and other activities.

W: Helping to the organization committee for realizing the festival i.e. to prepare the festival area, to set up stands in the fair area, general cleaning. In order to create an awareness about the pollution, a big “garbage man” statue will be created by the volunteers at the end of the festival by putting together the daily collected garbage.
A: will be in a hostel, sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. The daily transfers between the hostel & the festival area will be arranged and covered by the festival committee.
F: Breakfasts will be served at the hostel, packed lunches and dinners at the university.


TRG002 AZIZ NESIN FOUNDATION    CATALCA   24.05-07.06 

Well known Turkish humorist-author Aziz Nesin whose books have been translated into 32 languages has established a foundation for taking care the children and supporting them from pre-school education until they graduate from university. Donations, copyrights and sale incomes of his books are the main sources of the foundation. Apart from supplying free of charge accommodation, food and education the foundation is also keen of the social development of the children. Thus many different social, artistic and cultural activities are organized for the children. There is also a farm belonging to the foundation.
W: There are various tasks for the volunteers in this camp. They will be directed by the staff to work on different fields daily. First of all an old barn  of the farm is going to be converted to an artist home containing an atelier,  a living room and a bed room. Feeding animals, helping in the kitchen, serving meals, general cleaning duties, painting and white washing, simple repairing works, garden landscaping, organizing social activities for the children etc. might be the side works during the camp.
A: In the dormitories of the foundation. 4-5 bedded rooms with common showers and toilets. Sleeping bags and mats are not necessary. F: Will be supplied in the refectory.


 
TRG003 TEACH CAMP-1  CAN     20.06-05.07      
Can is a town with 30.000 inhabitants and famous for its ceramic factory. The English language teachers of the 2 different high schools are willing their pupils of 14-17 age group to practice English by close contacts with foreigners.

W: Practising English with the teenagers. A: In the Teachers’ Guest House. In triple rooms with hot showers and toilets. The sleeping bag and mat are not necessary.  F: Will be supplied at the venue, some dinners may be offered by the families of the students. Special Requirement: Volunteers need not to be a native speaker but must have a good level of English and keen on speaking and teaching. A motivation letter must be sent with the application form.    Note: No alcohol is permitted during the camp at the campsite and the accommodation venue. Smoking is not allowed while volunteers are with the pupils.


TRG004   AFACAN    YENI SAKRAN   30.06 – 11.07   & 19.07 – 30.07
A summer camp will be organised for a group of kids between 10-14 years old whose families are financially supporting for this holiday in a youth centre by the seaside. If you like children, these camps are very good opportunity for you to spend your time at a very beautiful camp site, in order to offer the kids an active holiday by teaching them to use their own abilities while sharing your life experiences with them. Practising English will be part of your job as well. You will be assisting the camp leaders to take care a group of kids during the trips outside of the camp- site as well as all kinds of activities during the camp.
We are looking for vols who are at least 20 years old with a good command of English and some abilities on one of the following fields: any sports (like basketball, volleyball, swimming, football, table tennis, etc.) fine arts, handicrafts, music, dance, drama, photography and group games. Volunteers must be able to lead at least 2 workshops or sport activities.  Please note that you will be dealing with the kids through the given & intensive program all day long. You will spend most of your time with the kids in the camp area with limited private life. Thus contact with the local people out of the camp site will not be possible however you will have contact with the other groups and the working people in the camp site. Volunteers may have fun together only after the kids go to the bed and the team cover the daily staff meeting in the camp site. Leaving the camp area is not allowed due to unexpected emergency cases.

W: Counselling a group of children between 10 - 14 years of age and leading several activities for the children. R: Participants will spend 1 night in a hostel in Istanbul as the group will depart to the camp site on 01.07 in the morning. This will cost 10 Euro on bed+breakfast basis. Departure to Istanbul from the camp site is on 11.07 in the morning. The journey to Istanbul from the camp site takes about 10 hours. A: In Afacan Youth Centre (www.afacan.info ) in 3-4 bedded rooms with toilet and shower. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Will be supplied at the campsite. The counsellors will eat together with the group of children whom they are responsible for.
IMPORTANT : All applications for both camps will be evaluated together on 10th of May. Volunteers should



TRG005      BIKES ON THE ROAD   VAN      03.07-21.07  
This camp aims to draw attention to the pollution in and around the Van Lake which is the biggest lake of Turkey by the Iranian border. The volunteers have to be fit to ride a bike, around 15 km.s daily (of course with breaks). The bicycles will be provided thus there is no need to carry a bike with. The group will tour around Van Lake, overnight in different locations on the way, join in environmental cleaning activities, distribute brochures and draw attention of the locals. There will be local environmentalists as well in the group.

W: Pedalling around Lake Van and collecting garbage, distributing brochures. F: Will be served by the municipalities on the way. Lunch boxes will be provided. A: In dormitories.  LO: The project will start in Istanbul with an orientation meeting. Volunteers will travel all over Turkey from west to the east by coach (22 hours) on the second day of the camp. Thus 1 overnight in Istanbul is compulsory with an extra cost of 10 Euro on bed & breakfast basis. The meals on the way is volunteers responsibility until the group reaches to the camp site. The rest of the camp days will be spent in Van province.



TRG006      TEACH CAMP-2      TATVAN       03.07-21.07 
Tatvan is a lake side town by the biggest lake of Turkey. The municipality is keen of hosting international volunteers in order to broaden the minds of the local youth. The town hosted a work camp last year and want to host 2 more this year. W: The project of the first camp of this year is practicing English with the local youth. The volunteers will use English as a tool to encourage the local youngsters to learn foreign languages. Apart from the scheduled daily practices, volunteers must be ready to spent some of their free time with the locals as well. This camp offers intensively close contact with the local young population. Q: Volunteers should have a good level of English and be keen of teaching.  Minimum age : 20. A:In a dormitory. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Volunteers will prepare the breakfast by the given food. Lunch & dinners will be supplied by the municipality.  LO: Tatvan is in the east of Turkey, by Van Lake. The nearest cities are Bitlis & Van.   Volunteers will travel all over Turkey from west to the east by coach (22 hours) on the second day of their arrival. Thus 1 overnight in Istanbul is compulsory with an extra cost of 10 Euro. The meals on the way is volunteers responsibility until the group reaches to the camp site.


TRG007    PAVING ROADS   SARKOY        07.07-21.07  
Sarkoy is a seaside town where the population triples in the summer season. The asphalt material that covers the roads in the town is planned to be replaced by paving stones. This is a repeating project. Last 3 years’ camps were successful and the municipality decided to host another international group of volunteers. The volunteers will help the municipal staff for paving the roads by the stones.
W: Paving the roads. A: In a dormitory with shared bathrooms and showers. F: Will be supplied in the dormitory.


TRG008   MARKET STORE.  GOMURGEN     10.07-25.07  
Based on the success of last years work camp, the mayor invited 2 groups in 2008. The first work camp will be the follow up of last year’s project : Paving the roads at the open air market place.
Both projects are manual and demanding. Volunteers will have a chance to experience the local hospitality. The specialty of this town is its nomadic life. There are 30.000 sheep in the town and in the summer people who live in Gomurgen go to the mountains to graze their sheep.  In free days volunteers may visit the nomadic people on the mountains and can participate in the activities like shearing or milking the sheep.
W: Paving the roads.   A: In a guesthouse with shared bathrooms and showers, in rooms of 6 people. Sleeping bag and mat are necessary. F: Breakfasts & dinners will be prepared by the volunteers by given food, lunches will supplied by the municipality. Some dinners may be supplied by local people.


TRG009   LET’S MAKE OUR FILM  YENI SAKRAN    11.07 – 19.07 
Teenagers from different countries are invited to create a “group film” in a youth center. 15-17 years age group participants will use their creativity & express their ideas to write their scenario, act, shoot and direct their films in this camp and the winners will be awarded with a “Y-Oscar” (Young Oscar) Prize.          
W: Making a short documentary film about the camp life by using hand cameras and computers. A:  in 3-4 bedded rooms with showers & toilets. F: Will be served in the center. LA: English.   R: Participants will spend 1 night in a hostel which  costs 10 Euro bed+breakfast basis in Istanbul as the group will depart to the camp-site on 12.07 in the morning. Departure to Istanbul from the camp-site is on 19.07 in the morning. The journey to Istanbul from the camp-site takes about 10 hours. Smoking & alcohol is not permitted at the camp.  Extra Fee: 160 Euro, including 1 night hostel accommodation with breakfast on the day of arrival.


TRG010     SUPPORT TEENS    YENI SAKRAN   11.07 – 19.07 
This is a challenging camp, which needs patient volunteers who are keen or interested in working with teenagers. Volunteers will be working alongside the camp leaders of the teenage camp where the teenage participants create a film in groups. You are expected to assist and support program as well as be friends with teenagers. Previous experience will be preferred and a motivation letter with a pass size photo should complete your application form. Please note that you will be dealing with the teens through the given & intensive program all day long. You will spend most of your time with the teens in the camp area with limited private life. Thus contact with the local people will not be possible; however you will have contact with the other groups and the working people in the camp-site. Volunteers may have fun together only after the kids go to the bed and the team cover the daily staff meeting in the camp-site. Leaving the camp area is not allowed due to unexpected emergency cases.
W: Assisting the camp leaders in a teenage camp. A: in 3-4 bedded rooms with showers & toilets. F: Will be served in the center.
R: Volunteers should be at least 25 years old. Smoking & alcohol is not permitted at the camp in front of the kids. Participants will spend 1 night in a hostel  which  costs 10 Euro bed+breakfast basis in Istanbul as the group will depart to the camp-site on 12.07 in the morning. Return from the camp-site is on 19.07 in the morning. The journey to Istanbul from the camp-site takes about 10 hours.
IMPORTANT : All applications for this camps will be evaluated together on 10th of May. Volunteers should not expect an earlier answer.


TRG011      FAMILY CAMP        ZEYTINLI       13.07 – 24.07 
This camp is a call for the families or single parents who would like to participate in a work camp with their children. Accommodation will be more comfortable comparing the other work camps and special activities will be arranged for the kids.
W: Cleaning the beach to create a public awareness about the pollution. A: In the guest house of the municipality. There will be big rooms reserved for the kids, mothers and fathers separately. F: Will be supplied by the municipality.   Extra Fee: 50 € per person.


TRG012   WORK & TEACH   YALVAC      14.07-29.07   
The Regional Boarding Primary School (YIBO) of Yalvac town hosted a group of international volunteers last year and it was a success. Thus the school director would like to host another group this year for a dual project.  The volunteers will be requested partly to practice English with the pupils of the secondary school (12-15 years old) and to landscape the garden of the school for the other half of the day. The school has got dormitories, hot showers (like Turkish bath) and sport fields.
W: Practising English with pupils and manual work at the garden. R: Volunteers should speak at least medium level English for this camp. A: In the dormitory of the school with common toilets and showers. The sleeping bag and mat are not necessary.  F: Will be supplied in the cafeteria of the dormitory and will be prepared by a cook.


TRG013     MATH VILLAGE       SIRINCE    18.07-01.08   
Mathematic village is an idea of a university professor aiming to endear math to young people. Around 20 math lovers gather in this center in each 2-3 weeks terms, to learn, exercise and study math. International professors are voluntarily sharing their knowledge with young students. This camp will also give a chance to you to meet & have very close contact with Turkish young people.
W: The center is still under construction and international volunteers will help to complete the construction and the landscaping. You can also follow the math courses in your free times. A: Under tents. Sleeping bags and mats are necessary. F: Will be prepared by the vols. LA: English.  LO: Sirince is a small village in the west of Turkey. Please be aware that the center is a bit isolated. No night life, TV or disco are available at the center. But the next village Sirince, where is only 15 minutes on foot is a very attractive one and famous for home made wines and traditional architecture of its houses.



TRG015      BY THE LAKE      TATVAN       21.07-06.08   
Tatvan is a lake side town by the biggest lake of Turkey. The municipality is keen of hosting international volunteers in order to broaden the minds of the local youth. The town hosted a work camp last year and want to host 2 more this year. W: The project of the second camp of this year is landscaping by the lake, like last year.  A: In a dormitory. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Volunteers will prepare the breakfast by the given food. Lunch & dinners will be supplied by the municipality. LA: English. LO: Tatvan is in the east of Turkey, by Van Lake. The nearest cities are Bitlis & Van.  Volunteers will travel all over Turkey from west to the east by coach (22 hours) on the second day of the camp. Thus 1 overnight in Istanbul is compulsory with an extra cost of 10 Euro. T: Istanbul.


TRG016   MURAL CAMP    TASUCU   25.07-10.08 
Tasucu is a sea-side town in the south of Turkey, with its 10.500 inhabitants. The caves called  Heaven and Hell are very famous. Tasucu have got rich nature, clear sea and pretty people.   http://tasucu-bld.gov.tr/bld/default_en.asp The municipality is willing to add some man made beauties to the natural ones and will host the international volunteers for introducing this lovely town to foreign youth. Talented volunteers on drawing and painting are invited to join in this camp.
W: Drawing  pictures on the 4 electricity transformer’s walls.
A: In the hotel owned by municipality in triple rooms. Hot showers and WC are available in the room.  Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary.
F: Will be will prepared by volunteers.



TRG017     BUILD A PARK       GOMURGEN    30.07-14.08   
Based on the success of last years work camp, the mayor invited 2 groups in 2008. The first work camp will be the follow up of last year’s project : At the second work camp volunteers will help to build a green area in the village. Both projects are manual and demanding. Volunteers will have a chance to experience the local hospitality. The specialty of this town is its nomadic life. There are 30.000 sheep in the town and in the summer people who live in Gomurgen go to the mountains to graze their sheep.  In free days volunteers may visit the nomadic people on the mountains and can participate in the activities like shearing or milking the sheep. W: Creating a park.  A: In a guesthouse with shared bathrooms and showers, in rooms of 6 people. Sleeping bag and mat are necessary. F: Breakfasts & dinners will be prepared by the volunteers by given food, lunches will supplied by the municipality. Some dinners may be supplied by local people.


TRG018   SCHOOL GARDEN   YENI SAKRAN           08.08 – 24.08   
Yeni Sakran is a lovely, small sea-side town by the Aegean coast. Past volunteers planted trees in this town during the National Day celebrations in 2007. This action inspired the mayor to host an international volunteer group for a longer period. So this is your camp now.
W: Landscaping and arranging the garden of the newly built high school. A: In a building close to the working site. Volunteers will sleep on the floor. Sleeping bag and mattress are necessary.


TRG019   BEACH & WATERFALL   AKCAKOCA     14.08-28.08 
Akcakoca is a lovely sea-side town by the Black Sea coast. Volunteers are invited to clean the beach and also to help for landscaping works around the waterfall by working in shifts.
W: Beach cleaning and landscaping. A: In a student dormitory. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Will be served in the dormitory. 


TRG020  MINI ZOO       EGIRDIR    18.08-01.09      
Egirdir is a lovely lake-side town. Volunteers have been assisting with-in the municipality for many years and the mayor is very keen on hosting international volunteers in the town for different projects. This year volunteers will work at the mini zoo of the town where mainly domestic animals are protected and exhibited.
W: Developing the psychical conditions of the zoo, environmental arrangement, landscaping.      A: In a guesthouse. Hot showers are available.  Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Will be served in a restaurant.


TRG021   APPLE PICKING     EGIRDIR  18.09 - 03.10      
The municipality of Egirdir town has got an orchard where they grow local sweet apples. The sale of apples brings extra income to the town budget. Egirdir is used to host international volunteers for many years and all volunteers enjoy being there.  W: The work of the volunteers will be picking & packing apples and loading them into the trucks. A: In a guesthouse. Hot showers are available.  Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Will be served in a restaurant.


TRG022   LEADER TRAINING    YENISAKRAN  21.09-28.09 
This camp is planned for the volunteers who have already been in a work camp as a volunteer, but never as a leader. First time or active volunteers who are interested in leading work camps in the following years will be trained here about intercultural exchanges, group leading, finances, problems etc. The enthusiasm they have gain in the work camps will be transferred to a real experience through discussions, games, and visits, experimental and practical working methods. This camp will also suit to the people who are training their own group leaders in their organisations. A motivation letter should be supplied together with the application form. A certificate will be given to the participants at the end of the work camp. 
W: No practical work. Training will be given through games and study cases. A: In 2-3 bedded rooms with toilet and shower. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Will be supplied at the campsite.
Extra fee: 150 Euro, covers full board accommodation, training & materials.