In partnership with

This Workcamp is a cooperation between IBG, the Nature Park Oberer Bayerischer Wald, and Nature Park Bayerischer Wald.

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Description of the Work

You immerse yourself in Bavarian mountain culture and support the maintenance of the historic Schachten — forest pastures, used for keeping cattle in the mountains. The Bavarian Forestry and the National Park have an annual tradition around this duty and make it a communal event. Essential work tasks include removing shrubs, thinning out old wood, and installing protection measurements for endangered species to keep the area’s biodiversity. The mountain pastures here have an important meaning for animal and plant life. Birds like the capercaillie and flowers like the brown gentian depend on the savannah-like landscapes and the structurally rich forests. Also wood ants settle in bright and sunny spots which in turn are an extremely important food source for the capercaillie chicks.

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Accommodation & Food

You stay in the forest cabin "Waldhütte Schareben", a rustic wooden mountain hut nestled in a clearing in the Bavarian Forest.The structure is a traditional alpine building featuring dark wood shingle siding and contrasting green window shutters.It serves as a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers, offering food and drinks from Tuesday to Sunday.
The cabin offers 6 proper beds plus several camp beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom. A bus for the group will be available for mobility.

You need to bring a warm sleeping bag, and it is essential that you bring a warm and waterproof jacket!

The entire group does grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning together. Food will be bought with the camp budget. To minimize our carbon footprint on the planet, we encourage volunteers to reduce meat and try more environmentally friendly meals.

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Location & Leisure

The region around Gumpenried is called Bavarian Canada. The location is ideal to explore the natural environment surrounding your accommodation. A two hour hike leads to the beautiful nature protection area of little Arber Lake from the ice age. You can eat sweet and hearty in the lake hut restaurant here. A little further from there you can visit the beautiful Sollbach waterfalls. Also in hiking distance from your accommodation are peatland and ancient forest areas. Your natural heart will rejoice in this place :)

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Requirements

Bring sturdy shoes and comfy work clothes.

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Appointment

Meeting point is bus station “Drachselsried" (D-94256).
Please inform your camp leader about your arrival time so they can pick you up!

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Host Organization