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FAQs or Frequently
Asked Questions
Click on the question to see the answer
1. What
is IVP?
2. How does IVP contribute to Peace?
3. How do I become a member?
4. What is a workcamp?
5. Are there any projects which need longer term volunteers?
6. When are workcamps held?
7. Where are workcamps located?
8. Can I volunteer in Africa, Asia or South America?
9. Where can I see a list of the available workcamps?
10. I've seen a workcamp listed on another volunteer site
but it's not listed on yours.
11. How many workcamps are there each year?
12. What kind of work is involved?
13. Is it all work?
14. Do I need any particular skills or qualifications?
15. What languages do I need?
16. Are there any age restrictions?
17. How much does it cost?
18. Is that really all I have to pay?
19. Is food and accommodation included in the workcamp?
20. What do my fees cover?
21. Am I insured while working on the workcamp?
22. Who can apply?
23. Can my children come with me?
24. Can I apply to do more than one project?
25. Can I apply for a workcamp if I am already travelling?
26. Does my disability stop me from applying for a workcamp?
27. Can I apply to do a project with a friend?
28. How do I apply for a workcamp?
29. How long does the application process take?
30. When should I apply for a workcamp?
31. How will you keep in touch?
32. What happens if I don't get a place on a workcamp?
33. Do you help with travel arrangements?
34. What about visas for workcamp countries?
35. How do I get to the project?
36. When should I arrive?
37. Can I join a project late or leave early?
38. What will I need to take?
39. What is it like to be part of an international group?
40. Who will the other volunteers on the project be?
41. What if the workcamp is in a dangerous area?
42. What if the workcamp is cancelled?
43. What happens if I want to cancel my
workcamp application?
44. Can I get involved with IVP after the project ends?
1. What is IVP?
IVP is the Australian group of Service Civil International (SCI) which
was established in 1920, the inspiration of the famous Swiss pacifist,
Pierre Ceresole. Ceresole organised the first workcamp in Verdun, France.
Volunteers from Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and Hungary worked
side by side rebuilding a village destroyed by the First World War and
fostering grass roots reconciliation between the former enemies.
IVP was established
as part of the SCI network in Australia in 1988. There are branches, groups
and partner organisations in over 50 countries around the world. More
than 5000 volunteers participate in hundreds of workcamps each year. The
United Nations awarded SCI the title "Messenger of Peace" in
1987 in recognition of its work for peace and international understanding.
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2. How does IVP contribute to Peace?
Workcamps are organised by IVP (SCI) to promote peace. Workcamps provide
an opportunity for individuals to combine their energies and together
address problems vital to our shared global future. Workcamps aim to increase
tolerance and facilitate the questioning of values. Having space to reflect
on the philosophy of IVP (SCI) as a peace-building organisation will be
an integral part of the workcamp.
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3.
How do I become a member?
You can become a member of IVP at anytime. You just need to fill in the
membership form on our website and send it in to the IVP office. As a
member, you will receive a free copy of the Annual Workcamps Handbook,
our quarterly newsletter "The Flying Penguin", periodic e-bulletins,
and information about IVP activities and events.
If you're not a paid
up member when you come to apply for a workcamp, then you will need to
include your membership fee when you send in your application form for
a workcamp. Membership runs for 12 months from the date of joining.
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4.
What is a workcamp?
Workcamps are a unique form of doing voluntary work. They bring volunteers
together from many different countries, cultures and backgrounds to live
and work on projects of benefit to local communities. The projects are
designed to support and encourage local initiatives that are often continued
after the workcamp has ended. With a group of volunteers working together
to "get the job done" you will be helping organisations achieve
a particular task that desperately needs doing, as well as supporting
their longer-term goals and working for a more just and peaceful world.
Workcamps are:
· Usually 2 to 4 weeks in length
· Working with a team of 5 to 25 international volunteers
· Facilitated by a pre-determined Workcamp Leader, who will liaise
with the local community on behalf of the volunteers. They will also manage
the workcamp budget (for food, etc) and organise cultural activities,
team-building exercises, etc
· Various types of work, depending on the project.
Workcamps fall into
the following categories:
1. Anti-racism/anti-fascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
2. Third world solidarity
3. Peace and disarmament
4. People with disabilities
5. Children, teenagers and elderly people
6. Environment
7. Sexuality and gender
8. Socially disadvantaged (homeless people, poverty, etc)
9. Arts, culture and local history
10. Ideological and spiritual communities
11. Other
Workcamps will always
include a study element relevant to the work being undertaken, or to the
community in which the workcamp is located. Work will usually be 4 to
6 hours each day, with time off each week for local sightseeing/cultural
activities with the group.
Workcamps have three
main purposes. One is the practical assistance given by the volunteers;
the second is to introduce volunteers to problems which face communities
in their struggles for peace, social justice and environmental sustainability,
and third is the cultural exchange which takes place between workcamp
volunteers, and between volunteers and the community in which they are
working. In these ways, the misunderstandings and prejudices which separate
people and nations are gradually broken down and paths to peace are established.
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5.
Are there any projects which need longer term volunteers?
Yes. Long-term Projects need volunteers for anywhere between 3 - 12 months.
They differ from short-term workcamps as they usually just need 1 or 2
volunteers who must have the relevant skills and experience. There are
considerably fewer longer-term opportunities than short-term workcamps.
Long-term projects usually require that you have already taken part in
an IVP workcamp or have similar, relevant experience. Details of current
projects needing long-term volunteers can be found in our quarterly newsletters,
or by contacting IVP.
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6.
When are workcamps held?
Most camps happen during the period June to October (the Northern Hemisphere
summer). There are some workcamp opportunities in the period November
to May but not as many. Most of these take place in the Southern Hemisphere
(Asia, Latin America, Africa, Australia) but there are also some in the
North (Europe, USA, etc).
Workcamps for November
to May are generally not listed in our annual workcamp handbook. Information
about these camps is received sporadically from hosting organisations
during the year, and we endeavour to keep members up to date with this
information as it comes to hand, via email bulletins and newsletters.
They should also be listed on the website Search Engine.
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7.
Where are workcamps located?
IVP is part of two worldwide networks (Service Civil International/SCI
and NVDA) of over 50 organisations all over the world. The network offers
workcamps to IVP members each year in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia,
North and South America and the Middle East.
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8.
Can I volunteer in Africa, Asia or South America?
Yes. But you must be over 21 and have previous experience of doing an
IVP/SCI project. Volunteers for West Africa must speak good French, or
good Spanish for projects in Latin America. Most of the workcamps involve
some type of manual work, such as building extra classrooms onto a local
school; tree planting and environmental work or constructing play facilities
for children.
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9.
Where can I see a list of the available workcamps?
Our annual Workcamps Handbook is published each year in early April, and
includes short descriptions of around 500 workcamps for the coming year.
Our 'parent' organisation, SCI, compiles an online database of all available
projects, and updates this throughout the year. There is a link to this
database on the IVP website. You may enter your own specific search criteria
and find exactly the projects you're interested in.
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10.
I've seen a workcamp listed on another volunteer site but it's not listed
on yours.
IVP is a member of two volunteer networks - SCI (our main network) and
NVDA (a smaller network focussed on the Asia region). Similarly, other
organisations may be members of one or more exchange networks so they
may offer some projects which are not open to IVP members.
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11.
How many workcamps are there each year?
There are usually around 600 workcamps worldwide each year. IVP usually
has around 5 or 6 workcamps within Australia.
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12.
What kind of work is involved?
The work varies greatly from one workcamp to the next, for example you
could do environmental conservation on beaches in Mexico; help at a centre
for children with disabilities in Latvia, construct classrooms in Africa,
or work at a remote wolf sanctuary in the USA. The projects are always
of some tangible benefit to the community and must follow certain criteria.
For example, workcamps should enhance rather than replace local initiatives,
and they are not undertaken if the work would otherwise be done with paid
labour. Naturally as a volunteer, you only need to work as hard as you
are able. However, you should remember that many people have contributed
a great deal of time and effort to make the projects possible, so you
should feel a sense of responsibility towards doing the job well.
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13.
Is it all work?
No! Working hours do vary from workcamp to workcamp but generally you
will work 30+ hours a week, with evenings and weekends free. An important
part of every workcamp is how the group organises social activities. After
the day's work, there will be time to play, listen to music, cook, discuss,
sing, write to loved ones, learn local phrases and visit local haunts!
Activities are generally decided by the group, so you can have your say.
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14.
Do I need any particular skills or qualifications?
For short-term workcamps you do not need any specific skills or qualifications
unless specified, but individual projects will welcome your life experience
and any particular skills you do have that can contribute to the work
of the project. The main skills you do need are the ability to live and
work cooperatively with a group of other international volunteers, lots
of enthusiasm and motivation and the willingness to experience something
completely new. If you apply to take part in a workcamp where the work
is with children and vulnerable adults you will need to complete a declaration
and supply references with your application. Some countries also ask for
health screen checks (especially Russia).
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15.
What languages do I need?
Speaking other languages always helps when living with an international
group and can enrich your experience. Certain workcamps do have specific
language requirements (especially some in France, and those in Morocco,
Tunisia and Latin America). This will be stated in the workcamp description.
For the vast majority of workcamps, the link language is English.
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16.
Are there any age restrictions?
IVP workcamps are open to everyone between 18 and 70 years of age. A handful
of workcamps do have age restrictions on the volunteers they can accept
due to the nature of their funding. This information is included in the
workcamp description so you will know before you apply for particular
workcamp. If workcamp descriptions don't state an age threshold (and the
vast majority of them don't) then they are open to all ages.
Volunteers applying
for workcamps in the South (Africa, Asia and South America) must be over
21 and preferably have already done a short-term workcamp in Europe or
have similar relevant experience.
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17.
How much does it cost?
$35 for IVP Membership ($25 concession) - renewable annually
$350 for the first overseas workcamp in a 12 month period ($300 concession)
$250 for an Australian workcamp
$200 for each additional workcamp in a 12 month period
$20 for an SCI Training Guide
In addition, you need
to cover your travel costs (including travel insurance) and any spending
money. Please check travel costs (through travel agents) before applying
for workcamps in far away destinations. If you can't afford to get to
a workcamp, then please don't apply for it, but choose one in country
to which travel is more affordable for you. If you are applying for workcamps
in countries for which you need a visa, then you will also have to cover
the cost of visa applications.
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18.
Is that really all I have to pay?
For the vast majority of workcamps, yes. There are a few workcamps which
ask you to pay an additional fee on arrival (usually Asia, Africa, Latin
America and smaller European countries). This can vary anywhere between
30 - 200 US$ depending on the workcamp. Workcamps only ask for these fees
if they need additional funds to enable the project to take place at all.
In essence, it's a solidarity payment in support of the project and the
hosting organisation while you are there. These extra fees are mentioned
in the workcamp descriptions so you will know before applying whether
an additional fee is being asked for. If nothing about an additional fee
is mentioned in the workcamp description, then you won't be asked for
one. The fees are payable in cash, usually US or Euro currency, when you
arrive at the workcamp.
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19.
Is food and accommodation included in the project?
Yes. The workcamp hosts will provide you with food and accommodation while
you are taking part in the project. If you want to travel independently
before or after the workcamp, then you will need to make your own arrangements
and cover your own costs during your travelling time. Accommodation could
be mattresses in a school hall, camping, dormitories in a youth hostel,
a residential centre or a historic castle. There will be at least basic
washing facilities and cooking facilities. As you'll be living in a larger
group than usual, you may not have as much privacy as you are used to.
The group will usually share cooking and cleaning tasks on a roster basis
so bring your favourite recipes with you.
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20.
What do my fees cover?
Your fee does not go to pay for your food and accommodation on your project
- these costs are covered by local fundraising in that country. To avoid
costly international money transactions, exchange agreements have been
made with our partner organisations, so that fees stay in the country
in which they are paid. Your fee does contribute towards the overall running
costs of IVP in supporting our activities in Australia. This includes
the costs involved in running workcamps in Australia, establishing the
projects, publicity and recruitment, training and insuring volunteers,
monitoring, evaluating and developing the programme. By registering with
IVP, you are effectively supporting the whole network of like-minded voluntary
organisations working for peace and greater international understanding
throughout the world.
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21.
Am I insured while working on the project?
SCI does provide some insurance cover, but it only covers you while you
are actually "working" on the project. You must therefore take
out proper private insurance cover before going abroad. This is a condition
of participation in the workcamp. Your insurance should include full accident
and medical cover for all eventualities. Standard travel insurance is
normally okay. If possible, it should also cover travel cost reimbursement,
just in case your workcamp is cancelled at short notice. Unfortunately
we can't recommend any insurance companies to you, and have no access
to any discounts.
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22. Who can apply?
We welcome and respect everyone who wants to join our activities whatever
their gender, ethnic heritage, faith, ability, sexuality, age, nationality
or socio-economic background. To apply through IVP, you must be an Australian
citizen or resident in Australia at the time of your application.
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23.
Can my children come with me?
We welcome applications from volunteers wishing to bring their children,
but you will need to be fairly flexible about which workcamp you are willing
to do and open to workcamps which may be offered to you. It's best to
check with the office before applying to be sure that the chosen workcamp
can accept children. Please note that under 16s are not covered by SCI's
insurance.
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24.
Can I apply to do more than one project?
Yes. But you need to make sure that the workcamp dates don't overlap and
that you have sufficient time to get from one workcamp to another. As
group work requires a lot of energy, we recommend that you give yourself
a week or so in between workcamps so you don't tire yourself out and have
time to recuperate, relax and do things like sightseeing and washing your
clothes!
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25. Can I apply for a workcamp if I'm already travelling?
Yes, although please be aware of the added difficulties that this sometimes
presents. You may wish to allow an extra week or two for processing of
your application (ie 8 or 9 weeks prior to the start of your chosen workcamp).
You should ensure that you will have regular and reliable access to email
whilst you are travelling, as this will be our only method of communication
with you.
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26. Does my disability stop me from applying for a project?
No it doesn't. You will need to tell us about the nature of your disability
when applying to do a workcamp. We'll make every effort to accommodate
volunteers on the workcamp of their choice but certain workcamps may not
be accessible for certain disabilities. Conditions do vary from workcamp
to workcamp and so you will need to be flexible about the project you
are willing to do and be open to workcamps which may be offered to you.
Use the additional space on the application form to describe any particular
requirements you may have.
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27. Can I apply to do a project with a friend?
You certainly can put an application forward with a friend, although it
may not always be possible to place both of you on the same workcamp.
Many organisations prefer to have just one volunteer from each country
on a workcamp, so it means that you may not have as many options open
to you as if you applied for a place on your own. Although we will do
our best to find places together, we cannot guarantee it. Be aware that
a refusal to accept separate places, may well mean that you will not be
placed at all.
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28. How do I apply for a workcamp?
You will need the following:
1. IVP Membership Form (unless you are already a paid-up member)
2. Workcamp Application Form, signed, and a few alternative workcamp choices,
in case your first preference is not available.
3. Motivation Letter - a one-page letter outlining your motivation for
applying for a workcamp, specific to the project/s you are applying for.
4. A recent passport photo attached to your Workcamp Application Form
5. Payment - this will include Membership, Workcamp Application Fee, SCI
Training Guide payment, and may be made by cheque, money order, or internet
bank transfer.
All forms are available for download from our website, but you will also
receive these when you become a member.
To make the application
process smoother, please ensure you read the instructions carefully, and
include all payments and documents with your application.
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29. How long does the application process take?
For short-term workcamps, the application process generally takes between
4 to 6 weeks from the time we receive your application to the time you
confirm your acceptance of a placement.
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30. When should I apply for a workcamp?
You should apply for a workcamp as early as possible. The minimum is 6
weeks prior to the start of a workcamp, and if we receive an application
later than this we may not be able to accept it. Please also remember
that you need to allow sufficient time to book your travel and obtain
any necessary visas, inoculations, etc. If you are already travelling,
please ensure we receive your application at least 8 weeks prior to the
start of your chosen workcamp.
To make the application
process smoother, please ensure you read the instructions carefully, and
include all payments and documents with your application (photo, motivation
letter, Workcamp Fees, Membership Fees - if necessary, SCI Training Guide
fee).
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31. How will you keep in touch?
Our main form of communication is email, so please make sure that you
provide us with a current, working email address! We also correspond by
phone and post when email is not available.
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32. What happens if I don't get a place on a project?
We will do everything we can to try and find you a place on a workcamp
of your choice. If we can't find you a place, then you will be entitled
to a refund in line with our refund policy. In all cases IVP will retain
your membership fee and you will continue to receive our Newsletter and
information about events.
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33. Do you help with travel arrangements?
We are not able to help with finding flights, airfares, etc. Once accepted
into a workcamp you will receive a detailed information sheet, which will
include instructions on how to get to your workcamp location from the
main airport, train station or bus terminal in the country of your project.
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34. What about visas?
Some countries require that you have a visa in advance of your travel
(e.g. Russia, the Ukraine). In these situations, IVP will provide invitation
letters and supporting documentation to help you get your visa for the
project dates. However in all cases, it is your responsibility to apply
for and collect your visa. IVP can not do this for you and has no control
over the bureaucracies of other countries! It may be necessary to for
you to make a special journey to a capital city to collect your visa from
an embassy in person. You'll need to make sure that you apply for visas
in good time (at least one month before your project start date) and that
your passport is valid.
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35. How do I get to the project?
Once you have accepted your place on a workcamp, you will be sent an Information
Sheet which will include detailed directions on how to get to your workcamp
from the nearest large town or city. Some workcamps may ask you make your
own way to your accommodation, others may meet you at the airport or a
designated 'Meeting Point'.
As a volunteer, you
are responsible for paying for and organising your own travel individually
to and from the workcamp. IVP does not arrange group travel, or have any
access to travel discounts. We are also aware that fossil fuel is the
main reason for global climate change. Travelling by air consumes 10 -
30 times more fossil fuel than travelling by train or bus. SCI campaigns
for members and volunteers going on workcamps to use more sustainable
ways of travel if at all possible. So please think about it when making
your travel arrangements.
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36. When should I arrive?
The Infosheet will give you all the necessary information and contact
numbers.
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37. Can I join a project late or leave early?
You are expected to stay for the entire length of the workcamp, arriving
on the day given as the start date and leaving on the date given as the
last day of the workcamp. Late arrivals miss out on the crucial period
of orientation and inductions at the beginning of a workcamp as group
members get to know each other and the group spirit builds. Leaving early
erodes the feeling of solidarity in a group, and leaves those remaining
with a sense of having been left behind for something more important.
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38. What will I need to take?
Before you go you will receive an Infosheet which will give you more detailed
information about the project including a list of what to bring. Usually
these are items such as sleeping bag/mat, work clothes, gloves, work boots,
games and musical instruments etc. They may also ask you to bring information
on similar projects from your own area to share and discuss with everyone.
The most important thing is to bring yourself, with plenty of enthusiasm
and energy!
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39. What is it like to be part of an international
group?
You'll find yourself living and working together with people of different
ages, values and attitudes, skills and experience, background and cultures.
Being sensitive to the others in the group is very important and you should
be willing to be open to these experiences. Some workcamps have volunteer
leaders who take on the role of helping to coordinate group activities.
Other workcamps prefer volunteers to make decisions and resolve any problems
that might arise collectively. The success of each workcamp depends largely
on the active participation and equal involvement of all the volunteers
and everyone's willingness to get involved in group life by mucking in,
communicating and making friends with other volunteers and in the local
community.
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40. Who will the other volunteers on the project
be?
You won't know who the other volunteers are until you arrive at the project.
Each project will have a mixed group of volunteers from different countries,
so for example if a project has 10 volunteers, the other volunteers could
each be from France, Finland, Ukraine, Turkey, Latvia, Spain, Switzerland,
Romania, Japan - and you from Australia.
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41. What if the workcamp is in a dangerous area?
IVP does not send volunteers to workcamps if there is a clear risk of
violence, political uprising or natural disaster. In most cases, the workcamp
hosting country will cancel workcamps if such dangers exist. Some situations
are, of course, unavoidable - such as natural disasters (extreme weather,
earthquakes, etc) - and you should ensure that you take out your own comprehensive
travel insurance to cover such eventualities. You should also check the
Australian Government's travel advisory service: www.smartraveller.gov.au
for the latest travel warnings and advice.
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42. What if the workcamp is cancelled?
If the workcamp is cancelled we will notify you as soon as we are able.
In many cases you will be offered an alternative workcamp in the same
country, or we will ask you to nominate an alternative workcamp of your
own choosing. If you do not wish to accept any alternative offers, you
will receive a full refund of your workcamp application fee, minus an administration fee of $15. IVP membership
is not refundable.
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43. What happens if I want to
cancel my workcamp application?
· If you cancel after being accepted into a work camp:
- Giving notice more than 4 weeks before the workcamp start date - 50%
of the Application Fee will be refunded
- Giving notice less than 4 weeks before the workcamp start date - no
refund of Application Fee
Situations will be
reviewed on a case by case basis, if extraordinary circumstances can be
established. Please note: changing your workcamp preference after you have been accepted is considered the same as cancelling.
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44. Can I get involved with IVP after the project
ends?
Yes. IVP is a member organisation which relies very much on the involvement
of volunteers. We'll ask you to complete an evaluation form about your
workcamp experience which will help us to improve the overall coordination
of projects. We may also ask you to contribute a story and photos from
your workcamp for our quarterly newsletter. There'll be opportunities
get involved with IVP working groups such the Newsletter Team, Marketing
Team, Placements, Monday Night Group, or even setting up a local group
in your own area!
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