Workcamp FAQ
July 18, 2009
Workcamp (from SCI)
A workcamp is a place anywhere in the world where people of all backgrounds, ideologies, and nationalities live and volunteer together for two to four weeks on a grassroots project organized by a local sponsor for non-commercial causes. Most workcamps occur during the Summer months and have between 5 and 20 international participants. You volunteer, you socialize and you work (usually no more than 6 hours during weekdays) with local people. You are a multicultural, voluntary workforce promoting tolerance and understanding through your activism. That is a workcamp - and it works!
WHERE
Workcamps are organized in most countries in the world. Placements in there countries are done through partner organizations in the volunteer’s country of origin.
DURATION
Workcamps are generally 2-week programs. But they range from a few days to three weeks depending on the project.
WHEN
Many partner organizations hold camps all year round. At the moment however, WINPHIL camps occur in the winter months of December to February, and during the summer months of April, May, June, July, August and September.
COST
Participation fee is usually US $150. This covers all expenses including meals and accommodation for the duration of camp except transportation costs (at the beginning and end) which is arranged and paid for by the volunteer.
FOR WHOM (AGES)
Most camps are open to anyone aged 18 and above, but volunteers under age 18 may join in special teenage camps. WINPHIL’s oldest was Ikuko from Japan at age 60.
Volunteers should plan to arrive on the first day of camp to meet other participants at a designated time and place. They will depart on the last day of camp anytime after breakfast. Early arrivals and/or late departures have to be approved by the local program hosts, and in advance.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
For ease in communication, conversational English is necessary but not required.
TYPES OF WORK
Work projects can be of any type and dependent on the needs of the local host community. WINPHIL camps are however focused on environmental concerns like tree and mangroves planting, and sea clean-up plus many other relevant side activities.
WHAT TO BRING
Back-pack, sleeping bag, towel, work clothes, clothing suitable for climate, toiletries, medicines, phrase book, recipes from home, musical instruments plus a cooperative and enthusiastic spirit! WINPHIL provides volunteers with a check list and the need to bring special gear and equipment necessary for a particular workcamp.
Registration fee covers room & board. Workcamps vary greatly in living conditions. Generally, 10-20 people from four or more countries arrive on a given day in a host community. They may be housed in a school, church, private home or community center. Living arrangements are generally cooperative, like a family, with volunteers coordinating and sharing the day-to-day activities such as food preparation, household chores, work projects and recreation.
Special skills
There are no special skills needed but volunteers must be aware of their physical limitations.
Joining more than one camp
A volunteer may sign up for up to three camps per season. But they have to be sure there is enough time to get from one to another. Arriving on time and staying for the whole camp is crucial and required for camp participation.
Health insurance
It is strongly recommend that all volunteers have travel and health insurance before leaving home.
Travel arrangements
Volunteers must arrange and pay for transportation to and from the workcamp site. They should not consider arriving late or leaving early as this is very disruptive to the host and to other volunteers. For some camps (especially for those in remote locations), a convenient pick-up point may be specified. If this is missed, it may be difficult to get to camp. Travels must be planned with care. The volunteer should know the stability and geography of the country of destination. They must understand that they are ultimately responsible for all travel costs including cancel or change fees imposed by transportation companies.
Travel before and after camp
Many volunteers combine traveling with volunteering. In fact it is often possible to travel with newfound friends after the workcamp.
WINPHIL is a full member of the Network for Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA) whose membership includes organizations affiliated with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) at UNESCO in Paris, and The ALLIANCE. Volunteers outside Philippines may apply through a workcamp organization in their own country
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