Each year we organize over a dozen workcamps in our country. They are mailnly social projects - as we are focused on helping specific groups who are in difficult life situation. We organize projects in cooperation with centres dealing with drug-addicted, disabled, refugee centres, Camphill Comunity, etc..

In 2007 we organize 12 projects - below you can find a list of them, with descripion from catalogue - so in full version that makes people decide about paricipation in particular project:

You are welcome in our projects so if you are interested in any of them contact your national branch of SCI and apply.

Polish workcamps 2007

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL- SCI 1.1 PROCOLOURS, EDUCATION FOR DIVERSITY (Poznan)
(PVP Polish-German-Italian-Greek Studycamp)
13/03-24.03. 20 vols
The camp will be organized around the International Day Against Racism (21st March).
W: During the first half of the camp, participants will take part in and then organize workshops on topics related to multiculturalism and racism in today's society.
Thanks to the experiences collected during the first days of the camp, participants will prepare during the second half of the camp different local actions in order to sensibilize a wider public. These actions will take different forms in order to reach different groups (pupils, adults) for the International Day Against Racism: workshops in local high schools, creative arts activities and a multicultural concert.
Q: Any experience of anti-racism activities and/or non-formal education are most welcome!
X: Unfortunately, only German, Italian, Greek and Polish participants can be accepted.

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL-SCI 1.2 ZABIKOWO (near Poznan)
21/07-4/08. 8 vols
Zabikowo, initiated in 1941, was one of forced labour camps for Jews building a motorway from Frankfurt/Oder aiming to include Poznan and afterwards whole Poland in the net of German motorways. The camp was closed in 1943 and prisoners were sent to other forced labour camps or to Chelmno/Ner extermination camp. Subsequently the area was used as Security Police prison mostly for the Polish suspected by Gestapo of anti-Nazi collaboration. Finally, after the war till 1948 it served as a camp for interned German civilians.
W: Restoration and documentation of gravestones saved from a former Jewish cementary, excavating and exploring channels to check the hypothesis that they might have been used as escape routes by the prisoners, arrangement of a memorial exhibition, other maintenance works in the camp area.
S: History of the camp, Chelmno/Ner extermination camp, Jewish culture, peace & human rights, genocide nowadays (esp. Tibet), neo-nazism and neo-fascism
A: Inside, sleeping on mattresses, shared facilities, sleeping bags needed
L: English
Q: Interest in the topic

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL - SCI 1.3 BEŁZEC (South-East Poland)
04/08 -18/08. 8 vols
(PVP Polish - German workcamp)
The deathcamp in Bełżec, which operated between spring 1942 and spring 1943, was part of the so called 'Aktion Reinhard'. It was concepted by the Nazi's to destruct Jewish life in the Polish territories. 600 000 people were killed in Bełżec within 8 months - almost all of them Jews. The area of the camp is hidden in the forests of Eastern Poland. Nowadays you can find a monument and a museum there - showing the victims and the specific history of the camp.
W: Maintain the monument (removing weeds) and translation (Polish volunteers will translate parts of the website from Polish into English, Germans will translate parts of the exhibition from English into German)
S: History of the Holocaust and deathcamps, 'Aktion Reinhard', Jewish life in East Poland before and after the war, minorities of the region
A: In a boarding school in a village nearby
L: English
Q: Interest in the topic of Holocaust, good English skills (needed for work on translation)

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL-SCI 1.4 MAJDANEK (Lublin)
11/08-25/08. 8 vols
(PVP Polish - German workcamp)
In the time from 1941 to 1944 Majdanek served the Nazis as a concentration camp. The camp was going to be the source of a free workforce for the realization of the plans to build a German empire in the east. It has been the second largest of its type in Europe. Around 300.000 people of 50 different nations have been imprisoned in Majdanek. Nowadays Majdanek operates as a State Museum - every year around 90 thousands people come to visit it. The aim of the workcamp is to remember them and the crimes against humanity committed at this place, also considering of human rights violations today.
W: Maintenance works at the memorial site, archaeological works, educational work in archives
S: History of the camp, concentration camps and death camps, Holocaust, Polish-German relations after WWII, peace & human rights
A: Simple, inside
L:English
Q: Interest in the topic and strong motivation needed

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL-SCI 1.5 REFUGEE CENTER I (east of Poland)
4/08-18/08. 10 vols
There are 18 accommodation centers for asylum seekers in Poland and very often new one is opened. Most of the refugees in Poland are Chechens. The aim of the project is to bring energy of volunteers and spirit of international solidarity to the center. The exact place of refugee center will be determined later (due to long procedure of getting permission)
W: Organizing games, art classes sport events for children and teenagers, English teaching.
S: Workshops on refugees in Poland and worldwide, SCI peace message
A: In the center
X: Knowledge of Russian language will be very helpful.

Antiracism, antifascism, refugees and ethnic minorities
PL-SCI 1.6 REFUGEE CENTER II (east of Poland)
11/08-25/08. 10 vols
(mixed age)
There are 18 accommodation centers for asylum seekers in Poland and very often new one is opened. Most of the refugees in Poland are Chechens. The aim of the project is to bring energy of volunteers and spirit of international solidarity to the center. The exact place of refugee center will be determined later (due to long procedure of getting permission)
W: Organizing games, art classes sport events for children and teenagers, English teaching.
S: Workshops on refugees in Poland and worldwide, SCI peace message
A: In the center
X: Knowledge of Russian language will be very helpful.

Disabilities
PL-SCI 4.1 RADWANOWICE (near Cracow)
4/08 - 18/08. 8 vols
Organized in cooperation with Brother Albert Foundation in local center for disabled people. Situated in Radwanowice-beautiful village surrounded by forests, about 15km from Cracow. Foundation takes care of mentally and physically handicapped people (age 18-62) through organizing and leading social homes (stationary care) as well as integration schools, workshops, rehabilitation camps. The aim of the camp is an integration of inhabitants and the volunteers, who will try to change a bit their everyday life routine.
W: Help in organizing games and artistic workshops: preparing an exhibition of drawings or/and photographs together with residents, provide integrational activities, help with daily task of the inhabitants.
S: History of Brother Albert Foundation, mental disabilities issue, SCI peace message
A: In nearby village
Q: Lots of joy and patience
X: No drugs and alcohol allowed. Religion play very important role in the therapy and volunteers are ask to respect that.

Disabilities
PL-SCI 4.2 FESTIWAL PIECIU STRON SWIATA (near Chodziez)
18/08 - 1/09. 8 vols
Community house in Rzadkowo is situated nearby the fields on the hill in the valley of Noteć River, a bit izolated place - among very picturesque landscape. The house is inhabitat by 66 mentally handicapped residents. They decided to go to war with a boredom and routine, therefore established their own alternative culture. Produce the theatre performances, set up own rock band "Na górze", which due to its positive message win over funs among professional musicians as well. Each year in the summer the residents together with local community organise own unusual festival. This year the topic is "Five cardinal pints"
W: Taking part in preparation to the festival (at 30th of August) - preparing artistic scenery for happening and taking part in it as well, participating in the music and theatre workshops.
A: In 4 rooms, sleeping bags and maths are needed
Q: Artistic skills, interest in art, will of copying with handicapped people
X: No drugs and alcohol are allowed

Environment
PL-SCI 6.1 NEMOLAND (near Jelenia Gora)
14/07-28/07. 12 vols
Nemo set up an ecological/cultural center in Stara Kamienica in the Sudety Mountains, nearby to the Czech and German borders. The aim is to support sustainable community-based development in this region and protection of the natural and historical landscape. Mining projects have destructive influence on the local environment and therefore the development of economical alternatives such as rural tourism is important to oppose such industrial plans. Nemoland offers opportunities for tourists to discover the region through numerous hiking paths, contact with the local community and projects for rural development.
W: Support both aspects of the activities of Nemoland: ecological (protection of the old agricultural landscape of the region) and cultural (supporting local initiatives and setting up a cultural center).
S: The issue of ecological and rural tourism in the region and to the social problems caused by the mining activities and EU-economy.
A: Simple
X: Motivated hikers especially welcome. Unfortunately not accessible to wheelchairs

Environment
PL-SCI 6.2 WOJTOWKA (near Klodzko)
18/08-1/09. 10 vols
(only for current or former EVS Volunteers in Poland)
Workcamp takes place in the only one Camphill community in Poland, near the Czech border, in the mountains. It is a very nice and isolated area on the countryside. The community consists of mentally handicapped and non-handicapped people, who live and work on a farm side-by-side, learning from each other.
W: Physical work, helping the community through ecological work such as cleaning of a small river, working in the fields and the vegetable garden
S: The philosophy of the Camphill Communities; workshops on SCI peace and Human Rights message
A: In a small cottage
X: No drugs or alcohol allowed in the community.

Socially disadvantaged
PL -SCI 8.1 MONAR GAUDYNKI
7/07 - 21/07. 8 vols
OWA- SCI Poland has been successfully co-operating with Monar for 12 years already.
Monar is the biggest Polish NGO dealing with drug and alcohol addicts, homeless people and HIV infected. The one in Gaudynki is a centre dealing mainly with drug addicts. It is situated in the picturesque area of the Kingdom of the Great Masurian Lakes in the north-east part of Poland, among fields and forests, far away from the hectic cities. In the Monar Gaudynki there are about 30 patients, between 20-30 years old, who work and live together undergoing a group therapy.
W: The main task of volunteers is to socialise with the community, by helping them in their everyday work (gardening, cleaning, working in the kitchen, renovating etc.) and taking part in leisure time activities with them. Games, camp-fires, sport activities, workshops with/for the residents will bring fresh energy and relaxation to the centre. During the second week volunteers go together with the patients on a camping trip to the beautiful area on the lakeside. In between there is a collective excursion to witness a reconstruction of the one of the greatest Medieval battles.
S: The problem of drug addiction, anti-drug therapy, multiculturalism
A: In the house of the community, in one or two rooms and in big tents during "biwak";
X: No drugs, no alcohol. Smoking allowed

Socially disadvantaged / Environment
PL 8.2 MONAR LIPIANKA
14/07 - 28/07. 12 vols
Our centre is situated in the middle of Kurpian Forests near Ostroleka city and river Narew. Monar is the biggest Polish NGO dealing with drug addicts. The main point of therapy is working at home and in the centre area. Volunteers will join everyday life of the community. After work, in order to integrate you more with the community, we would like you to take part in games, camp-fires and sport activities, also a three days camp at Narew River. Each year volunteers coming to the camp bring a lot of enthusiasm and fresh energy to the place. These kind of events are really helpful in the theraphy.
W:Helping residents with daily work as cooking, cleaning, renovating.
S: Eco-chance aims, dealing with addiction problem in Poland.
A: In the centre
X: No drugs, no alcohol allowed in the centre

Art, culture/environment
PL-SCI 9.1 DLA ZIEMI
07.07-16.07. 8 vols
"Dla Ziemi" (For The Earth) is an association focused on ecological and social issues of the region of Lubartów and villages around. Members are all artistic and imaginative souls with wide range of interests, involved in local development, also in a cultural field. The office of the association is still in a process of improvment and extension. Last year, the group of volunteers started the project and now, our role is to continue. It is all taking place in a picturesque and a bit isolated area, on the countryside in the east of Poland.
W: Cleaning and preparing area for the office, building renovation, wood working and gardening; Simple, physical and enjoyable work!
S: Workshops about nature conservation, our influence of enviroment and responsible lifestyle. Leisure time can be devoted for learing how to play drums and music activities.
A: Very basic living conditions, sleeping on mattresses in a barn, kitchen (in an Indian tipi) and primitive shower outside

Art, culture and local history
PL-SCI 9.2 TYRAWA (near Przemysl)
4.08 - 18.08. 12 vols
(German-Polish-Ukrainian)
The project will take place in an undisturbed part of south-east of Poland, in a small village called Tyrawa Woloska. The place is set in a beautiful region of Carpathian mountains, close to the Ukrainian Border. Located in a richly diverse cultural setting, it has always been a place where members of different national minorities lived together in harmony. On the other hand, the place faced big historical regional events, movement of borders, conflicts and repatriation of civilians after the second world war. Through restoration work, historical workshops, art and interactions with local community we will try to explore the unique history of the place.
We also expect the project to bring some life to the village, which has deteriorated, whilst facing the challenges of modernity.
W: The volunteers will do renovation work at a ukrainian graveyard (working alongside a professional stone-worker) and work on excavation of orthodox church ruins.
S: Art and history workshops - multicultural history of the region, national minorities in Poland. Participating in awareness rising for the local culture.
A: Basic, in the village school.
L: English
X: Motivation letter required.

To have better imagination about our projects you can see [pictures from workcamps in Poland 2005] and [check what media writes about our projects]

Summer 2005 we organized 12 projects
PL 1.1 Brighten Up My Summer III (Lukow) 3/07-24/07 8 vols [article from newspaper]
PL 1.2 TOGETHER WITH AND FOR REFUGEES (Lomza) 31/07 - 14/08 8 vols
PL 1.3 FAR FROM HOME, CLOSE TO US (Czerwony Bor) 14/08-28/08 6 vols
PL 1.4 MAJDANEK 21/08 - 04/09 8 vols (Polish-German)
PL 4.1 CAMPHILL COMMUNITY IN WOJTOWKA (Wojtowka) 4/09-17/09 10 vols
PL 5.1 GDAŃSK 9/06 -25/06 6 vols (it is possible to make this camp mixed age)
PL 5.2 POKAZ MI TWOJ SWIAT (Korzecznik) Date: 18/7 - 30/7 6 vols (1 SPP)
PL 8.1 BARKA - KACZOROWNIA (near Strzelce Opolskie) 04/07-17/07 10 vols
[article from newspaper]
PL 8.2 MONAR- GAUDYNEK 10/07-24/07 8 vols
PL 8.3 MONAR LIPIANKA (Ostroleka) 16/07 - 30/07 8 vols
PL. 9.1 WYTANCZYC PRZYJACIOL (Barlinek) 8/8 - 20.08 8 vols/20 [article from newspaper]
PL 9.2 WINDOW WIDE OPEN ON THE WORLD (Gdansk) 01/09 - 14/09 10-12 vols (1 SPP)

List of descibtions of projects 2005