Workcamp in Deutschland

Runkel 2008

von Olya Korshak aus der Ukraine

First of all ...dear ijgd, thank you, that you are!!!
I spent FANTASTIC work camp thanking you, of course! Everything was wonderful! I liked everything! I had ecological project, which was aimed at protecting a special kind of lizards.

My camp was in the beautiful village Runkel, everyone fell in love with it… It is 80 km. from Frankfurt (Main). Accommodation was really good; I did not expect to have SUCH one! Though we all were living in one huge room, but I think it's ok, because we are group and have mutual goal! Our job was not very difficult. We were either cutting the grass near the river or working in the forest for 2-3 hours a day. The foresters, who were giving us a job, were so kind to us. Soon we became good friends, they were visiting us often, sometimes they  were staying for a dinner. One of them invited all of us for the barbeque, which was very nice of him, and another forester baked 2 cakes for me, cos my birthday was during the work camp.

About different activities and cultural program….
it was awesome!!!
We had a canoe tour, which I was doing for the first time in my life and that was exciting!  Also on weekends we had excursions to the neighbouring cities, such as Frankfurt, Mainz, Wiesbaden. One weekend we went to the festival in neighbouring village. We were helping them to organize it, so we got the tickets for free!!! And that was amazing metal, punk, ska festival! One time we even had a movie night with pop corn.

About food:
We had enough of it. Every day we had a kitchen team, which consisted of 2 volunteers. I was preparing food for 3 times, and I liked it very much. You just have to turn on your imagination and bring some receipts. Of course others were helping us as well, because preparing a food for 16 people is not that easy
It's a pity I did not now German, but with English I felt myself very good. People were  kind to us, were helping us, giving directions and advice.

What would I recommend? 
it is to learn some basic German, it will be helpful, I think.
Also to take CD's with your favorite music.
Do not be shy communicating with others!
 And try to appreciate time which is given to you. 2 or 3 weeks you have a great chance to improve a foreign language, find out more about life and culture of other nation, make new friends around the world, get valuable experience in preparing food, learn more about ecology, etc.

And now?
Now I am learning German at the language courses, keep in touch with other volunteers, prepare food with pleasure, do not forget about lizards, and  keep in memory all that beautiful moments from the camp. Thank you ijgd one more time. You are GREAT!!!!