What a workcamp is, what to expect, and how to get the most out of living and working in an international group. Adapted from IVP’s Guide to International Volunteering.
What is a workcamp?
A workcamp is a place where people of different races, ideologies, nationalities and ages live together for two to four weeks while working on a community project. Workcamps are started and organised by community groups, and are designed to be of real benefit to the local community. They support local initiatives and do not replace paid labour.
Workcamps give people the chance to combine their energies and address problems vital to our shared global future. The group makes decisions and solves problems together. Workcamps aim to increase tolerance and to help people question their values. They run all year round, but in Europe most take place during the northern summer.
What to expect
How long
In Europe, workcamps last from ten days to three weeks. In Africa they normally last from two weeks to almost a month, and in Latin America three to four weeks. Asian workcamps vary from three days to three weeks. Work is usually Monday to Friday, with weekends free for leisure activities.
Language
English is the most common camp language. If you need another language, the workcamp description says so. Some camps in France, Morocco, Tunisia and Latin America have specific language requirements. Speaking other languages always helps in an international group.
The work
The local organisation decides how it works and what it needs from the volunteers. The work can include:
- Social activities and leisure-time activities with children
- Construction, renovation and manual work
- Path cleaning, reforestation and agricultural work
- Arts, such as music and theatre
- Raising awareness
- Archaeology
The work can be physically strenuous and different from what you are used to. Care is usually taken to allow several breaks during the day.
Food and accommodation
Whether food and accommodation are included depends on each camp. See Projects.
Accommodation is nearly always simple and sometimes basic: a family house, a building provided by the local coordinators, a school hall, a youth hostel or tents. Bring your own sleeping bag unless the information sheet says otherwise. You will live in a larger group than usual, so you may have less privacy than you are used to. The group usually shares cooking and cleaning on a roster, so bring your favourite recipes.
Costs
The application fee, and the extra fee some hosts charge, are explained under how to pay the application fee. You also pay for your own travel, visa and insurance: see the common questions below.
Study
Workcamps are a chance to exchange ideas about social, political and local issues. Often the learning comes from informal talks with other volunteers, project workers and local people. Many camps also organise a more structured study program, linked to the aims of the project or to SCI’s campaigns.
The camp leader
Most camps have a camp leader or coordinator. They are the point of contact between the camp organisation, the host project and the volunteers, and try to meet the aims and expectations of all three. The leader is a member of the group, and the relationship should never be hierarchical. You can expect the camp leader to:
- organise orientation and evaluation meetings
- include volunteers in decisions
- liaise between volunteers and the project partner
- coordinate work and rosters
- consider different cultural backgrounds and help with language barriers (but not act as a translator)
- lead discussion about the project’s work and goals
- help resolve conflict
- explain the work, structure and aims of SCI
Living and working in a group
Every group interacts differently. Good group dynamics come from awareness of each other. The most useful skill is listening: really trying to understand where the other person is coming from, especially when you see things differently. If someone’s behaviour is affecting the group, address the behaviour and don’t blame the person.
Most groups go through stages as the volunteers get to know each other:
- Forming. The team meets, learns about the project and living arrangements, and sets up cooking and cleaning rosters. Everyone is on their best behaviour.
- Storming. Once the first politeness wears off, differences appear. People confront each other’s ideas. This can be uncomfortable, and tolerance matters most here.
- Norming. People adjust to each other and agree on shared rules and ways of working. Trust and motivation grow.
- Performing. The team works as a unit and makes most decisions itself. Disagreement is expected and handled in ways the team accepts.
- Adjourning. The task ends and the team breaks up. Goodbyes can be upsetting after such an intense time together. Keeping in touch helps.
If conflict comes up
Conflict is not a problem in itself: what matters is what we do with it. On a camp it can range from someone refusing to share domestic chores to harassment. The non-violent approach is to treat everyone’s views and feelings with equal respect and to look for a “win-win” solution, without creating a “them and us” situation. Never resort to force, whether physical violence, verbal intimidation or any other kind of coercion.
To find a constructive solution, clarify three things: the issues at stake, what each person wants, and the feelings the conflict has caused.
Common sources of conflict are differences of opinion about work and leisure, leadership style, too much or too little work, misunderstandings and rumours, lack of flexibility, and language problems. What helps:
- orientation at the beginning of the camp
- open discussions, meetings and mid-camp evaluations
- individual responsibility and clearly defined goals
- information about the local culture
- cooperation, understanding and a positive approach
Living in another culture
An intercultural exchange involves everything that forms a culture: histories, religions, customs, traditions and languages. You are expected to take part in the daily life of the host community, so that you and the people involved in the project learn from each other’s points of view. Read about the local culture and customs before you go, and ask your hosts when you’re unsure.
Tread lightly
We all live on the same planet and share responsibility for it. Our actions have an impact, from rubbish dropped on the ground to the carbon dioxide released by travel. Workcamps are no exception, so think about the environmental impact of your trip and your time on the camp.
Before you go: common questions
Do you help with travel arrangements?
You organise and pay for your own travel to and from the workcamp. Check travel costs before you apply for a camp far away, and choose a country you can afford to reach.
Once you are accepted, you receive an information sheet with instructions for getting to the camp from the airport, train station or bus terminal. Some camps ask you to make your own way to the accommodation. Most meet you at the airport or at a meeting point.
What about visas?
If you need a visa for the country of your workcamp, you apply for it, collect it and pay for it. Some countries require a visa before you travel. In that case IVP provides an invitation letter and supporting documents for your project dates.
Apply in good time, at least one month before your project starts, and check that your passport is valid. You may need to collect your visa from an embassy in person.
Am I insured while working on the project?
SCI provides limited insurance cover for accidents and illness for the length of the workcamp. It does not cover activities you organise independently of the camp. By special arrangement, the cover can be extended for some days before and after the workcamp.
We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance before going abroad, with full accident and medical cover. If possible, it should also cover your travel costs in case the workcamp is cancelled at short notice. Volunteers on Australian workcamps are also covered by IVP’s Volunteer Accident Insurance policy.
What if the project is in a dangerous area?
IVP does not send volunteers to workcamps where there is a clear risk of violence, political uprising or natural disaster. In most cases the host country cancels workcamps if such dangers exist.
Some events, such as extreme weather and earthquakes, can’t be predicted, so take out comprehensive travel insurance. Check the Australian Government’s travel advice at smartraveller.gov.au for the latest warnings.
Are there any age restrictions?
IVP projects are open to everyone aged 18 to 99. Some workcamps have their own age limits because of how they are funded. The workcamp description says so. If it doesn’t state an age limit, the camp is open to all ages.
Can my children come with me?
We welcome applications from volunteers who want to bring their children, but you will need to be flexible about which workcamp you join. Check with the workcamp before you apply, to be sure it can accept children. Children under 16 are not covered by SCI’s insurance.
Does my disability stop me from applying?
No. Tell us about your disability when you apply, and use the extra space on the application form to describe what you need. We make every effort to place volunteers on the workcamp of their choice, but some camps are not accessible for some disabilities. Conditions vary from camp to camp, so you will need to be flexible about the project.
After your project
When you return, you can stay involved with IVP. You can become a workcamp leader, take part in international training, gain committee experience, help produce the newsletter or help run the office. See Volunteer with IVP. Volunteers with experience can also apply for medium and long-term projects.
We’d love to hear how it went. Read stories from other volunteers, and send us your own.
About this guide: IVP’s Guide to International Volunteering was written by IVP volunteers, with special thanks to Michelle Bastian for developing the concept and content. It was last printed in 2009.