Surprisingly, there are many selfish reasons for going to a workcamp. Nine, to be exact. It’s really cool that you get to meet lots of new people, see interesting and unusual places, practise a foreign language and eat good food while volunteering, but it doesn’t exactly boost your karma, does it? Let’s take a look at some altruistic reasons to volunteer at a workcamp.
1. You will be doing meaningful work
We all probably do something at work or school that seems completely pointless. This may sound like a bold statement, but you can’t just do that on a workcamp. Whether you’re carrying stones in a nature reserve, organising workshops for children or taking part in an archaeological survey in the grounds of an old monastery, you’ll always know why you’re doing it and who you’re helping. What’s more, if you don’t feel like doing a particular type of work, you can arrange with the rest of the team to do something you enjoy more instead. At the end of the day, you’ll see a job well done and go to bed with a clear head. What’s more, the atmosphere at workcamps is pretty relaxed, as you’re all helping out in your own time and by choice. So you can look forward to a team of relaxed colleagues who are on the same wavelength as you, and a leader who is more of a friend than a boss.
2. Helping local communities and non-profit organisations abroad
Perhaps all the non-profit organisations in the world have few people to do a lot of work. As a volunteer, you will be the host organisation’s labour force, working to provide good food and accommodation, as well as learning about local life and culture. If you have several groups of capable people working together during the summer, you can get a lot done. Most projects are also more or less community-based. You won’t save the world in two or three weeks, but you could organise a recreational event, repair benches in a town square or mark hiking trails. You’ll be helping people where they live. Traditional tourists often disrupt the lives of local people, but you can make it more interesting for them. And it pays off.
3. You will be a powerful tool for breaking down prejudice.
Prejudice. Few of us can say that we have never been caught in their net. Imagine spending your whole life in a small, peaceful village where a tourist happens to wander in. After all these years, a large number of young people from all over the world, of different nationalities, skin colours, religions and political persuasions, arrive in the village. And they all work together selflessly to paint the local school. That has to soften even the most die-hard conservative, doesn’t it? Of course, prejudices can arise within a group of volunteers, perhaps even within yourself. There is a direct proportionality here: the more different people and opinions you meet, the more tolerance you build up.
4. Share your experience and knowledge with others
Sharing experiences and knowledge is an essential part of every workcamp. International cooperation develops all participants equally. You will not only
You will not only learn a lot of new information and skills, but you will also have the opportunity to share your own knowledge and experience. Even if you don’t think you know anything or know more than others, you might surprise yourself. Maybe you’re a great cook, play the ukulele, drive a car, know about different tools and techniques, or can bring a group of people together. A workcamp is a great opportunity to discover your strengths and use them for the benefit of the whole team. You can’t avoid comparing cultures and customs with other countries. As you will surely find out, many foreigners have very wrong ideas about the Czech Republic. It will be up to you to see the country in the light you present it to others. And who knows, maybe your story will motivate someone to visit.
5. Support sustainable tourism
Today, thanks to the massive expansion of low-cost airlines, it is very easy to travel abroad. Unfortunately, air travel has a huge impact on the environment due to excessive fuel consumption and the production of greenhouse gases. We try to encourage our volunteers to use other means of transport to and from the work camp. For example, we have started working with the socially responsible bus company FlixBus. If you volunteer with FlixBus, you will get a 20% discount on your ticket. You’ll save money and help the environment. In addition, many of the host organisations also take an environmentally friendly approach. For example, the use of local food from local farmers, vegetarian or vegan diets, waste sorting and waste prevention are essential parts of the workcamps. Some projects even focus specifically on environmental issues. For example, you can get involved in the protection of endangered species or help with environmental education for young people.
Are these compelling reasons for you to go against your karma? Then don’t hesitate to search our database of workcamps. Travel to volunteer and feel the positive aura of selflessly helping others.
