NIG (Germany)
Camp program 2010
Who we are,
what we do...
NIG was founded in December 1990 by a group of enthusiastic students of the University of Rostock. It is a non-profit making organization, with its own director who chooses the camp-leaders and is responsible for the preparation of workcamps.
We began in 1990 with three workcamps in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and a handful of volunteers for workcamps abroad. Since then, we have expanded our activities: Every year we organize about 15 workcamps and bilateral youth meetings. We are able to send more than 2000 volunteers to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South and North America.
NIG does not work alone, as it has close contacts with organizations in more than 40 countries around the world. Within the last few years NIG has accomplished several things together with numerous friends, supporters, sponsors and volunteers, and thus gained a good reputation.
Our aim...
...is to support important and urgent work in cases where local financial, material, and personal means are not sufficient. The workcamps deal with environmental and nature protection, construction and renovation work, archaeology, kids, cultural and art projects. There are also workcamps that aim to preserve of historical monuments and buildings. In these camps the volunteers work on Jewish graveyards and in former concentration camps, and thus gain a deeper insight into historical aspects.
Beside the voluntary work that is of benefit to the public, we want to bring young people from all over the world together and offer them the chance to learn from other countries and people, and learn of their problems. Tolerance, openness, and living together in solidarity should not remain empty words.
What we wish for...
is that volunteers are open-minded, enterprising and tolerant. Our expectations are that they are able to work responsibly and also that they will bring their own ideas to the camps.
The camps...
Every year, we organize about 15 workcamps and youth meetings in our country. In a workcamp you are in a group of 10 to 15 young people from different nations between 16 and 27. A workcamp lasts 2 or 3 weeks. The camp-language is usually English. Your work is voluntary and of benefit for the public. You will become “cosmopolitan’’ because after participating in a workcamp you will have friends from all over the world.
You will work five days a week, a total of 30 hours. You are obliged to work because the towns, institutions, and authorities with whom we cooperate with, are counting on your help. Your work is unpaid, but accommodation and food is free. The accommodation is in school dormitories, student hostels or tents. Please bring a sleeping bag, as well as working clothes and shoes with you.
There will be many leisure time activities, events, meetings and excursions in which you can take part. Trips, for instance to Berlin, are also possible. We want you to bring in your own ideas.
If you want to take part in a camp…
The program of our workcamps is published in March. If you find an appropriate workcamp, please fill out the volunteer exchange form and send it to our office. If it is not possible to take part in the camp that you wish to, you should write down alternatives.
You also have to cover all costs for travelling to and from the workcamp site. You should inquire early to take advantage of discount fares.
Insurance...
In our camps you are covered by insurance in case of accidents and/or illness. This insurance does not cover eye-glasses, dental treatment or cars. Please check your own insurance coverage abroad before coming. We advise that you buy insurance with a private health insurance company that covers transportation home in case of necessity (available at travel agencies). You may also think about insurance for your baggage.
Registration fee...
We do not charge our partner organisations.
The location...
The NIG-office is situated in Rostock, the biggest historical hanseatic city with about 200.000 residents, in the northern part of the former GDR. Rostock was founded in 13th century and is a city with many faces, surrounded by a beautiful landscape. It is worth seeing in every season. Rostock is well-known for its interesting architecture: merchant houses, beautiful churches and remains of old city-walls and gates give evidence of the city’s former power and wealth. Ship building and maritime trade have always been important for Rostock. Ferry lines connect the city with other countries. Rostock is also famous for its University (founded in 1419). There are many interesting events for young people and students. You can go to the cabaret, concerts, student clubs and discos, theatres or cinemas.
The former fishing village, Warnemuende, which became part of the growing city, is situated where the river Warnow flows into the Baltic Sea. There is a wonderful beach and excellent opportunities for swimming and relaxing. Our workcamps are mainly located in the federal country of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, to which Rostock also belongs. This area is well- known for its old traditional towns and villages, and for its thousand lakes, islands and natural resorts. . For further information please visit the website (also available in English).
Advantages of taking part in a workcamp...
1. You only pay your travel expenses. Accommodation and food are free.
2. We may certify your participation as practical training.
3. You are able to help and to solve urgent problems in the region of
Mecklenburg- Vorpommern. In the social field, we care especially for kids
and handicapped people. Young people who plan to work in a social
profession can find valuable experience here.
4. You will meet other young people and take part in real team work, which
leaves lasting impressions. That is why many volunteers like to come again.
5. Last but not least you are given the chance to experience different regions,
people, and traditions.
International Workcamps
Code / Name/Location / Dates / Type / Age / VolsNIG01 / Roebel / 27.03. - 16.04.2010 / HIST/YOUTH / 18-27 / 10
NIG02 / Wesselstorf / 09.06. - 22.06.2010 / FEST / 18-27 / 10
NIG03 / Dersentin / 09.06. - 22.06.2010 / FEST / 18-27 / 10
NIG04 / Quilow / 09.06. - 22.06.2010 / FEST / 18-27 / 10
NIG05 / Schmarsow / to be confirmed / YOUTH/EDU / 18-27 / 10
NIG06 / Teterow I / 05.07. - 18.07.2010 / ENVI / 18-27 / 10
NIG07 / Graal-Mueritz I / 12.07. - 01.08.2010 / RENO / 18-27 / 10
NIG08 / Ravensbrueck / 17.07. - 31.07.2010 / HIST/LANG / 18-27 / 10
NIG09 / Teterow II / 19.07. - 31.07.2010 / ENVI / 18-27 / 10
NIG10 / Upahl-Lenzen I / 19.07. - 01.08.2010 / ENVI / 18-27 / 10
NIG11 / Upahl-Lenzen II / 02.08. - 15.08.2010 / ENVI / 18-27 / 10
NIG12 / Graal-Mueritz II / 02.08. - 20.08.2010 / RENO / 18-27 / 10
NIG13 / Lohmen / 16.08. - 05.09.2010 / ARTS/YOUTH / 18-27 / 10
NIG14 / Peenemuende I / 23.08. - 11.09.2010 / HIST / 18-27 / 10
NIG15 / Peenemuende II / 23.08. - 11.09.2010 / ENVI / 18-27 / 10
NIG01 Roebel 27.03.10 - 16.04.10HIST/YOUTH vols: 10
Location:
The town Roebel was already in the 13th century an important place between the towns Schwerin and Havelberg and has nowadays about 6000 inhabitants. The town Roebel is near the Mueritz which is Germany’s biggest lake. Roebel is well-known and appreciated beyond the borders of Germany for its sailing competitions, water sports and as government approved health resort. Inspiring trails lead hikers and cyclists away from Roebel/Mueritz, along old oak trees and Megalithic gravesites to the typical mansions of this region. In Roebel you can find the Mueritz-Therme, an indoor-swimming-pool opened all year through. For further information about Roebel please refer to the websites (also available in English) or
Work: HIST/ YOUTH
The participants will continue the tasks of last year’s camp. You will take part in securing and documenting of the area of the external concentration camp Ravensbrueck. Moreover you will help with clearing work at a Jewish cemetery and at a former ammunition factory.
And vols will visit schools to have talks with the local youth. For this vols are asked to prepare some information about school systems in their home country. The exact tasks that will be undertaken will vary and volunteers are expected to be flexible in the work they do and be prepared to participate in all of the tasks fully.
Nearest airports: Berlin and Hamburg
Nearest train station: Waren/Mueritz
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in a house called Jugendbegegnungsstaette Engelscherhof.
Food:Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking.
Leisure time activities:Excursions are planned, short trips to nearby towns, swimming,…
Further requirements: Please bring a sleeping bag, a mattress pad, work clothes, motivation and good humour.
NIG02 Manor Wesselstorf 09.06.10 - 22.06.10FESTvols: 10
Location:
Since 1998 the Manor is in private ownership. It is seated on the border of a small village that shares the same name. The appeal lies in the idyllic surroundings, which goes from a well-tended garden with numerous fruit trees over to a former park in the width of the mecklenburgian extensive hilly landscape.
Work:
The aim is it to have young people actively involved with culture.
In the first week the participants will work in the manor. They will help out with the necessary tasks that have to be done – like helping in the garden or maybe painting.
The second week will have its focus on the Midsummer-Remise – preparing the house for the festival, helping to realize the event and follow up work. The volunteers will make also help out in local inns and to put up direction signs. On the evening of the event the ticketing has to be done and information’s have to be prepared.
The exact tasks that will be undertaken will vary and volunteers are expected to be flexible in the work they do and be prepared to participate in all of the tasks fully.
Nearest airports:Berlin and Hamburg
Nearest train station: Tessin
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in the manson Wesselstorf
Food: Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking.
Leisure time activities: Excursions are planned, short trips to nearby towns…
Further requirements: work clothes, motivation and good humour.
NIG03 Dersentin 09.06.10 - 22.06.10FEST vols: 10
Location:
The manor Dersentin is located in between the naturparks ‘Mecklenburger-Schweiz’ and ‘Kummerrower See’, in the heart of Mecklenburg- Western Pomerania - the north-eastern part of Germany.
The first inhabitants called the manor “La Dersentina”, which is still the appellation nowadays.
Since 2007 the building has a new owner, who tries his best to renovate the location in a neoclassic style. With the help of creative hands, a lot of effort and a big amount of love the land marked house shall be made a place of rest.
Website:
Work:
The aim is it to have young people actively involved with culture.
In the first week the participants will work in the manor. They will help out with the necessary tasks that have to be done – like helping in the garden or maybe painting.
The second week will have its focus on the Midsummer-Remise – preparing the house for the festival, helping to realize the event and follow up work. The volunteers will make also help out in local inns and to put up direction signs. On the evening of the event the ticketing has to be done and information’s have to be prepared.
The exact tasks that will be undertaken will vary and volunteers are expected to be flexible in the work they do and be prepared to participate in all of the tasks fully.
Nearest airports: Berlin and Hamburg
Nearest train station: Lalendorf
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in the manson Gremmelin
Food:Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking.
Leisure time activities: Excursions are planned, short trips to nearby towns…
Further requirements: work clothes, motivation and good humour.
NIG04 Quilow 09.06.10 - 22.06.10FEST vols: 10
Location:
The moated castle Quilow is located in the landscape ‘Peenetal’, in the east of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is surrounded by a moat.
In the second half of the 16th century it was built by the family vom Owstin in the style of the Renaissance. In the small church is still a memory of the family: the gravestone of Roleff von Owstin and his wife.
Until 1946 the manor was still in the property of the family von Ploetz (familyname changed due to marriage).
From 1958 till 1967 the moated castle Quilow was restored.
Today the building is disused but it is planed to make it useable for meetings and conferences, as archive and for switching exhibitions.
Work:
The aim is it to have young people actively involved with culture.
In the first week the participants will work in the manor. They will help out with the necessary tasks that have to be done – like helping in the garden or maybe painting.
The second week will have its focus on the Midsummer-Remise – preparing the house for the festival, helping to realize the event and follow up work. The volunteers will make also help out in local inns and to put up direction signs. On the evening of the event the ticketing has to be done and information’s have to be prepared.
The exact tasks that will be undertaken will vary and volunteers are expected to be flexible in the work they do and be prepared to participate in all of the tasks fully.
Nearest airports: Berlin and Hamburg
Nearest train station: Anklam
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in the moated castle Quilow
Food:Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking.
Leisure time activities: Excursions are planned, short trips to nearby towns…
Further requirements:work clothes, motivation and good humour.
NIG05 Schmarsow not confirmed yet CONSvols: 10
Location:
Schmarsow is a quite small and friendly village close to Demmin with just 300 residents. It is located in the federal state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and reached its peak in the period of the Hanseatic league. For this reason several old buildings date back to the Middle Ages. You can find there a huge manor house built in the 18th century as well as a church from 1400. There are three rivers in Demmin creating a fascinating and beautiful landscape. For spare time activities several excursions are planned, there is the opportunity to go swimming, canoeing and on bike-tours.
Work:
In Schmarsow a biological sewage treatment / Secondary treatment shall be built. The volunteers will help out with the construction.
Nearest train station: Demmin
Nearest airport:Berlin or Hamburg
Accommodation: The volunteers will be staying in the vicarage.
Food: Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking and will do it together.
Leisure time activities:Excursions are planned, short trips to nearby towns, swimming, canoeing…
Further requirements: Please bring a sleeping bag, a mattress pad, work clothes + gloves, motivation and good humour.
NIG06 Teterow I05.07.10 - 18.07.10 ENVI vols: 10
NIG09 Teterow II19.07.10 - 31.07.10 ENVI vols: 10
Location:
Teterow with the suburbs of Pampow, Niendorf, Teschow has about 10,000 residents. It is a small town in the heart of the charming area known as "Mecklenburgish Switzerland". On all sides, the countryside rises and merges into forested ranges of hills. Besides the historical town centre with its marketplace, town hall and church, two medieval town gates and numerous historical buildings, visitors and tourists will find many interesting sights and destinations for excursions in Teterow and surroundings. For further information please visit (also available in English and Swedish).
Work:
This camp is for nature lovers. The volunteers will work in a nature reserve on a peninsula close to the city Teterow, called Sauerwerder and situated in the lake Teterow. Interesting to see is the NABU station. There you will learn know many different kinds of birds, plants and other animals. Since it’s not possible to use common agricultural techniques, vols have to do everything manually. Aim of this project is to help to protect this unique reserve through a contribution of you. It is necessary to bring work cloth! The exact tasks that will be undertaken will vary and volunteers are expected to be flexible in the work they do and be prepared to participate in all of the tasks fully.
Nearest train station: Teterow
Nearest airports: Berlin and Hamburg
Accommodation: The volunteers will be staying in a bungalow in Sauerwerder.
Food: Full board is included, but meals have to be prepared by the volunteers
Leisure time activities:Excursions are planned, swimming, short trips to nearby towns…etc.
Further requirements: Please bring a sleeping bag, a mattress pad, work clothes + gloves, motivation and good humour
NIG07 Graal-Mueritz I12.07.10 – 01.08.10 RENO vols: 10
NIG12 Graal-Mueritz II02.08.10 – 20.08.10 RENO vols: 10
Location:
Graal-Mueritz is certainly the most beautiful seaside resorts of Mecklenburg / Western Pomerania and has about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) of fine beach. The Baltic Sea, being near the old hanseatic city of Rostock and the peninsula "Fischland-Darß-Zingst" and being surrounded by a large forest called "Rostocker Heide" - this is what makes Graal-Mueritz so special to its almost 4,000 residents. Graal-Mueritz is well-known for its special climate. The mix of fresh air from the sea and from the forest enables the city to offer rehabilitation, recreation, and prophylaxis of respiratory, circulatory, and skin-realated disturbances. For further information about Graal-Mueritz visit the website (this site is also available in English).
The natural reserve Großes Ribnitzer Moor, a fen, is located in the east of Graal-Mueritz.
Work:
The volunteers will have to help to repair the youth club in Graal-Mueritz. Both inside and outside renovation has to be done.
Nearest train station: Graal-Mueritz
Nearest airport: Berlin or Hamburg
Accommodation: The volunteers will be accommodated in a Youth Club
Food: Food is already included but the volunteers will be responsible for the cooking.