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"I’ll do nothing! Absolutely nothing!"
 Referring back to the demanding academic lifestyle during the past semester, this would be much of the most common response I get while asking my fellow friends (both international and Turkish) about their plans for the upcoming summer. I know, everybody is different… However, as Emanuel Ax adds, sometimes such difference is very exciting, sometimes very scary instead. For me – 21 years old Czech girl who is currently finishing her Erasmus exchange in Istanbul and who has dedicated her adolescence to being a global volunteer – vision of this “nothing” filling my holiday agenda is next to horrifying.
It’s been a while ago when I asked myself (as every year) how I could spend the months of the summer vacation. Taking into the consideration that I was born in Prague and that I am a genuine ‘Praguer’ as well as my whole family who got used to leaving our metropolitan city and spending almost every weekend in the countryside, I could probably warm the hearts of my grandparents by visiting them at their summer house and overfeeding myself with their home-made sweets. As I would be soon scared of getting bored with a tune-up television there, I would go with my sport-minded parents or my friends to raft some Czech river and find myself a part-time job as a (semi)professional ice-cream seller. However, I decided for another option… I eventually extent my stay in Turkey for next 3 months and harness all the attractive activities, places and adventures that this ‘bridge between the two continents’ has to offer.
While the simple truth is that the planet is only one and ours, we have to share, communicate and act together in order to accomplish the mutual aims and turn from being passive bystanders to aware global citizens. In Turkey, it seems to be a piece of a hard nut to crack. In fact, once one research a little deeper, there are many various workcamps – short-term voluntary projects – available for internationals as well as locals throughout the country from now on until the end of September. Everybody who enjoys facing new challenges and opportunities such as meeting people from all around the world, passing one’s knowledge to the local community and sharing own cultural heritage with others is warmly welcome to participate. And most likely to leave with breathtaking memories, friends for life and feeling of making the world a better place to be!
Workcamps are particularly popular among young people - besides their significant contribution to the community’s well-being - also as a source of cheap travelling and exploration of a foreign (home) country and ideal place to practice languages (English) and initiate real international friendships. Free accommodation and food are usually provided for participants as well as leisure time activities are organised by the camp leaders. All volunteers, who normally must be 18+, apply for the project through their national NGO such as GENCTUR in Turkey or Inex in Czech Republic, commonly with a small administration charge. Participants are only responsible to finance their travel costs, rarely required to pay extra fee or submit a motivation letter. To take part in an international workcamp in Turkey, volunteers [Denctur organisation accepts applications for the summer workcamps from the Turkish volunteers only until the end of April. International volunteers’ application conditions are set by their home (sending) organisations] can apply through their home institutions for the following projects:
 1. Music Camp in Edirne
- 21.06.2012 - 05.07.2012
- Accommodation in a student dormitory
- Food provided by local municipality
Oil wrestling is a traditional sport in Turkey. Edirne city hosts the annual national championship tournament for more than 650 years. It is a big festival and a tourist attraction. Gentur organisation needs musician volunteers to join the opening parade while playing, singing and giving street concerts after a 10 days rehearsal.
 2. Arts Camp in Selcuk
- 30.06.2012 - 14.07.2012
- Accommodation in tents
- Food provided in a cafeteria
- Motivation letter required since the campers are expected to deliver workshops for teenagers. Only young people with experience in teaching should apply.
The volunteers are going to work for the 1st of a big youth camp that the municipality is planning to organize annually. They will give artistic and cultural workshops (e.g: music/percussions, theatre/pantomime, painting/graffiti, dance, photography, origami, yoga, juggling/hulahoop/poi -or any suggestions you might have) to teenagers between 14-17. There will be trips to the historic and natural sites nearby.
 3. Environmental Camp in Uzundere
- 01.07.2012 - 14.07.2012
- Acommodation in a dormitory
- Food provided in a dormitory
Uzundere is a small town with an interesting geography, surrounded by high mountains, brooks and lakes. The mayor is keen of introducing his town to the foreigners as well as introducing other cultures to the locals. Volunteers will clean and pick up the waste in order to create awareness about the pollution.
 4. Environmental Camp at the Princess Islands in Istanbul
- 13.07.2012 - 28.07.2012
- Extra fee of 50.0 EUR
- Accomodation in bungalows
- Food provided in a cafeteria
The islands were used as a place of exile during Byzantine rule. Though the demographics has changed much throughout the last century, the islands were mostly inhabited by Greek and Armenian minorities. The volunteers during this camp will be involved in various activities such as gardening, tree and grass planting and they will work on a bike road. Also, there is going to be some fence renovation work to do during the weekdays and work hours.
 5. Environmental Camp in Kavakli
- 13.07.2012 - 28.07.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
Kavakli is a small town located in the heart of Krklareli province (borderline with Bulgaria), some 200 km from Istanbul. It is populated by around 4.000 inhabitants most of whom are engaged in different forms of farming activities. The volunteers will be given some environmental and renovation work at the local park that is under construction at the moment. Activities will include tree and flower planting, cleaning and maintenance of the park area.
 6. Yoga and Arts Camp in Yenisakran
- 19.07.2012 - 26.07.2012
- Extra fee of 280.0 EUR to cover the cost of full board accommodation
- Accommodation in Afacan Youth House (2-3 bedded rooms with toilet and shower)
- Food provided at the youth house
Volunteers will learn traditional Turkish arts like water marbling, bead setting or fine arts like oil painting with a special technique, make their own products, practice yoga, photography and painting along with rhythm trainings and creative drama compositions. Some of the activities will be organized together with children groups who are using the same venue for camping.
 7. Environmental Camp in Mut
- 27.07.2012 - 11.08.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Self-Catering
Mut is a member of Association of Historic Towns in Turkey and there are many historical and touristic places like Dagpazari Church, Alahan Monastery, Karaeksi and Alaoda Cave in Mut. During previous camps hosted by Mut Municipality, a building was restored which later became a cultural centre with the volunteers help and work they have done. This year the volunteers will take part in some environmental cleaning work and some renovation at the parks around Mut will be done. Trips to several historic and natural sites nearby will be organized.
 8. Cultural Camp in Yenisakran
- 27.07.2012 - 03.08.2012 / 04.08.2012 - 11.08.2012
- Extra fee of 210.0 EUR to cover the cost of full board accommodation, food and the ingredients. The fund raised from the extra fees and marketing the products made in this camp, is used for supporting the disadvantaged children camps in Afacan Youth House.
- Accommodation in Afacan Youth House (double rooms with toilet and shower)
- Food provided at the youth house
Local Turkish people will teach the preparation of home made tomato sauce, powder soup, macaroni, dried vegetables to anyone interested in learning. Volunteers can learn how to make them, taste them at meals, take some with them to try at home and teach to friends. The daily occupation will be 2-3 hours and participants will have a chance to join the other group activities or enjoy the free time individually at the youth center. They can also volunteer for the kids sharing the complex during the stay.
 9. Environmental Camp in Gomurgen
- 03.08.2012 - 17.08.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse (rooms for 6, shared bathrooms and showers)
- Sleeping bag and mat are necessary
- Volunteers prepare their own meals from the given food
Volunteers from 2 blocks will meet in Turkey where European and Asian continents meet. The mayor is very keen on hosting international volunteers for local development. In the past our volunteers paved the roads and cleaned the ground in the tree nursery. This year they are going to take care of already planted trees in and around the town by weeding the wild plants around the young trees.
 10. Arts Camp in Eskipazar
- 23.08.2012 - 06.09.2012
- Accommodation in a student dormitory
- Sleeping bag and mat are necessary
- Food provided in the dormitory
Eskipazar is a small and green town. The mayor is keen on hosting foreigners in his hometown. Volunteers will be painting the walls of electric transformer stations in order to give them a better looking. If talented volunteers arrive they may draw pictures on the walls as well.
 11. Environmental Camp in Yenipazar
- 24.08.2012 - 08.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
Yenipazar is the most social province of Aydin. Volunteers will be able to observe local people playing traditional games amongst strawberry greenhouses while tasting their famous, delicious foods. Besides, the city is the second Turkish candidate town of Cittaslow network. Participants will mainly do landscaping around the town, 5 hours a day during the weekdays.
 12. Animal Camp in Mugla
- 24.08.2012 - 08.09.2012
- Accommodation at a guesthouse
- Self-Catering
The work in Mugla will take place at an animal shelter belonging to the municipality. The campers are going to be responsible for cleaning and taking care of the animals as well as the cleaning of the animals habitats between 10:00 and 15:00 at the animal shelter of Mugla Municipality. There will also be trips to some historical and touristic sites nearby.
 13. Renovation Camp in Arapgir
- 24.08.2012 - 08.09.2012
- Accommodation in a dormitory
- Food provided in the dormitory
Arapgir is a small town with 6.000 inhabitants in the east of Turkey. However, the project will start in Istanbul with a compulsory orientation meeting that all volunteers should attend on the first day of the camp. The group will travel together to the camp site by an overnight coach on the same evening. The volunteers will work for renovating the school, painting indoor walls and rearranging the garden in the town center.
 14. Environmental Camp in Mersin
- 24.08.2012 - 08.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
During this camp, the volunteers will take part in the renovation of public parks and in addition to that some practical environmental work like gardening and landscaping will be done. By joining this project one will become a part of the 30th Alliance Anniversary CAMPaign! Almost 80 member and partner voluntary organisations form the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations network from all over the world, organising various voluntary projects during this year promoting intercultural education, understanding and peace through voluntary service!
 15. Environmental Camp in Karahalli
- 24.08.2012 - 07.09.2012
- Accommodation in a student dormitory
- Food provided by the local municipality
The irrigation canals of Karahalli town need to be cleaned. The town had the same project in 1998 now we will repeat it. Volunteers will be asked to take out the mud and rubbish from the irrigation canal in order to enable smooth running of the water.
 16. Festival Camp in Milas
- 24.08.2012 - 08.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
Volunteers will join the Victory Day celebrations (torch processions etc.) on 30th August and take part in the preparation of the 2nd International Milas Festival (31st August – 03rd September). During the festival, there will be exhibitions, sports competitions and concerts. The volunteers are expected to take part in the preparation and organisation of the whole festival.
 17. Environmental Camp in Kastamonu
- 31.08.2012 - 15.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
Kastamonu is a central northern city on the Black Sea coastline with a population of 400.000 about 500km from Istanbul and 250km from Ankara. Volunteers will be given some environmental and renovation work in and around the campus such as landscaping, cleaning and maintenance of the faculty buildings. There will also be trips to the sites nearby.
 18. Environmental Camp in Afyon
- 31.08.2012 - 15.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
The volunteers will be engaged in some environmental renovation work like tree planting, gardening and landscaping. There will also be some cleaning done around the Lake Emre. The volunteers are expected to work during the weekdays between 09:00 - 16:00 (including 1.5 hour lunch break). Trips to local historic and cultural sites will be organized.
 19. Renovation Camp in Didim
- 31.08.2012 - 15.09.2012
- Accommodation in a guesthouse
- Food provided in a cafeteria
Getting its name from the ancient temple of Apollon called Didiymeion, Didim is one of the ancient Greek cultural centres. With its 60 km coastal band, clear sea, a total of 13 km of beautiful beaches and ease of international transportation from Izmir, Didim is a popular touristic area, mostly inhabited by English citizens. The volunteers will be constructing a playground for the children, 5 hours a day during the week days.
 20. Social Camp in Sanliurfa
- 14.09.2012 - 30.09.2012
- Accommodation in a dormitory
- Food provided by local municipality
- Volunteers must have a talent or interest in teaching juveniles
Urfa is a big city in the west of Turkey by the Syrian border and so the locals have Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Arab origins. The municipality is going to host international volunteers to support the daily activities, organizing social events and English courses at a youth center. The age group of the local youth attending the seminars, courses or atelier in the center is 14-25.
 21. Arts Camp in Seferihisar
- 14.09.2012 - 28.09.2012
- Accommodation in changing rooms of local stadium
- Sleeping bag and mat are necessary
- Volunteers prepare their own meals from the given food
Volunteers in this workcamp will write a theatre text, make rehearsals, create and perform with the other participants and play it in front of primary school kids in different schools at the end of the camp. Individuals with special interest in acting, pantomime, dancing and filming should particularly apply.
As the variety of both the themes and the locations of these projects is wide, volunteers have many options to schedule their summer travels, get to know new country, recognise new cultural patterns, improve languages and meet enormous amount of interesting people. Taking into a consideration that Istanbul airport is internationally the most accessible one, applicants can start with two weeks workcamp at the Istanbul’s Princess Islands on 13th July (Map 1, A). After its end one can spend few days visiting touristic attractions while moving via Ankara to another workcamp starting on 3rd of August in Gomurgen in the central Turkey (Map 1, B). Another opportunity to explore further the Turkish culture comes for instance with the project in Mersin in the south-east one week later where one can easily transport by bus or train (Map 1, C). Such Anatolian ‘helping-the-planet’ trip can be finished by a relaxing fourteen days camp in Seferihisar in Izmir district (Map 1, D) after an enriching travels along the Mediterranean coast.
Map 1
On the other hand, for those who dream about discovering the hidden beauties of eastern Turkey but have not had guts to travel themselves, participation in the offered workcamps is an ideal way to make such dream come true. Renovation camp in Arapgir begins on 24th August with initial workshop in Istanbul (Map 2, A) after which volunteers travel together to the eastern region of the country (Map 2, B). Once the camp finishes on the 8th September, one is free to enjoy for example Nemrut mountains and Malatya mysteries in the neighbourhood while moving south to work with the local community in Sanliurfa workcamp starting on 14th September (Map 2, C).
Map 2
If not possible to arrive to the workcamp on the first day, it is still acceptable to join the group 1 to 2 days later. Therefore it is possible for people concerned about witnessing multiple paths of Turkish lifestyle without exhausting transferring around the country to move on 15th September straight from either the environmental camp in Afyon (Map 3) or the renovation camp in Didim (Map 4), both starting on 31st August, to the near-by Seferikisar’s artistic summer camp while spending minimum budget and time on the transportation.
Map 3
Map 4
Zita Riedlova
zita.riedlova@seznam.cz
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