Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project:

“Jugendhof Bessunger Forst e.V.” is a non-profit children's and youth meeting place and one of the oldest self-managed NGOs in Germany. Located in the forest on the outskirts of the city of Darmstadt, we maintain the tradition of a learning and recreational place close to nature and life with down-to-earth, resource-saving accommodation. For over forty years, groups of children, youth and adults, families, clubs or political initiatives have come together here and found plenty of space to learn, run around, play, relax, meet, develop or simply be outside and together. On Sundays in spring and summer, we open the ForstLove Café with a colorful musical program. Excursionists, city walkers and fresh air fans can relax here in the green idyll on the large grounds. Our offer is especially aimed at families and people with low incomes, as the appreciation of heterogeneity and diversity is very important to us. You can find Jugendhof in Internet: https://jugendhof.org.

Description of work:

Together, we would like to build barrier-free dry toilets and outdoor showers for children and youth groups on our campsite. You will be sawing, drilling, screwing and hammering under expert guidance with professional tools and machines. At the same time, we redesign the outdoor area around the tree house, plant native shrubs, extend the deadwood hedge and do typical gardening work on the site. Volunteers are also invited to take part in the Sunday café. Do you have a passion for baking cakes or enjoy being behind the counter? Then we look forward to your contribution to experiencing this day together. During your stay, there will also be other groups at the youth centre with whom you can sit around the campfire in the evening and chat.
We are currently trying to organise an inclusive project together with young people with disabilities. This means that one or even a small group of young people with physical disabilities will accompany the group during the day. Unfortunately, the final number has not yet been finalised as we are still looking for a cooperation partner.
Study part: Inhabitants of Jugendhof would like to show you their life style and would like to discuss certain aspects of a life which is mostly self-determined, self-organized and community based. We plan to offer some games for the group as experience how we offer adventure education for kids. Additional info will be provided.

Description of location and leisure:

The Jugendhof is located at the edge of the Bessunger Forest, which can be easily explored from here. On hot summer days the shady forest offers a good opportunity to cool down and wide open meadows invite you to a relaxed picnic. You can enjoy meetings in a wooden yurt, which was build from an international workcamp as well. If you walk for an hour through the forest and meadows, you can reach a beautiful swimming lake with a small sandy beach. Darmstadt is also very interesting culturally, as it was one of the centres of European Art Nouveau at the beginning of the 20th century. Since 2021, the “Mathildenhöhe artists colony” of the city of Darmstadt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We would like to recommend a visit to the impressive and unique area, including the museum and the Orthodox chapel.
Region: The Jugendhof Bessunger Forst e.V. is located at the edge of the forest between the city of Darmstadt and the village of Roßdorf. The suburban area marks the transition from the Rhine-Main region to the low mountain range Odenwald and is located 30 kilometers south of Frankfurt am Main and 50 kilometers north of the picturesque city of Heidelberg.

The nearest airport: FRA in Frankfurt,Germany
The nearest terminal (train-, bus-, taxi station): Bus Station: Darmstadt Bessunger Forsthaus Jugendhof
Meeting Point and Time: Bus Station: Darmstadt Bessunger Forsthaus Jugendhof

Description of accommodation and food:

Volunteers live in our centrally located self-catering house "Sharewood Lodge". In addition to a spacious kitchen and two bathrooms, there are three bedrooms in the house, each with five beds. In general, the facilities allow a day-long outdoor life.

English

Short remarks for the project:
After registration, we require a self-declaration in terms of legal protection for children and vulnerable persons. You will need working clothes, rainwear and, if necessary, swimming gear as well as sturdy closed shoes. Since it can get very cold in the forest at night, even in summer, please bring warm clothes and don't forget your sunscreen. Bed linen will be provided by the house. Please bring your own towels.

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Age : 19-26