Become a group leader in Germany

You like to work in groups and maybe already have participated in one or more international volunteering projects? Then take the next step and lead an international camp in Germany!

As a team leader, you engage with the whole group in a voluntary work project, taking responsibility and learning new skills at the same time. You coordinate your group's life and work: When do you work? Who cooks? Who cleans? What leisure options are there? At the beginning of the project you initiate introductory games, mediate in case of conflicts and keep an eye on everybody being involved and satisfied. In advance, you get in touch with the project partner on site and with the international group and collect first ideas for leisure activities.

Experience in working with youth groups is an advantage, but not a requirement for leading an international Workcamp.

How can I become a group leader?

You engage in up to 30 hours in a voluntary work project - usually the group works six hours a day. When exactly you start, how many breaks you take and how many hours you work on which day, you can discuss in advance with the project partner. Most groups start working at eight or nine in the morning and then work, with a lunch break, into the early afternoon. The work project is coordinated and guided by a professional instructor - so you do not have to bring any specialist knowledge!

After work you can go on excursions, meet with the local youth or simply spend the evening together in the accommodation - for example with campfires or games. There does not have to be a recreational program every day: Use the time to get to know each other and learn more about each other's cultures. On weekends you will often have time to take trips to more distant places. Part of your job as a group leader is to coordinate the group life: Who cleans? Who goes grocery shopping? Who is cooking today? You are also responsible for the budget that is provided for leisure activities and meals, and should pay attention to the social life: Is everybody involved? Is everybody satisfied?

Usually you will work together with another group leader. In most cases, someone else signs up for the project and we share your and their contact details so you can get in touch; but you can also ask friends and bring someone. Of course, he or she should also attend a preparatory training. For some work camps, we only look for a single group leader because the group is small. If you do not speak any German, we will always try to find a German speaking group leader to work with you.

As group leader, you decide together with the group what you would like to do in your free time. You are not an entertainer and not a kindergarten teacher. Of course, as a group leader, you often have more knowledge and can inform yourself better beforehand about the recreational opportunities available in the project location and the surrounding area. You can also contact the project partners - who are often the mayors or other persons in certain administrative positions in the municipalities - in advance. Overall, it's good to bring along a few ideas and suggestions so that you can coordinate the program with the group.

In most cases, the participants are all of legal age. Of course, the group should pay attention to each other, but you can not be held liable for any accidents / damages by the participants.

You live in the same accommodation, work as well and, of course, also get to enjoy the leisure time activities and the common intercultural experience.

You want to lead an international workcamp, but would like to gradually approach the experience as a leader? That's why we created the role of camp leader trainee. As a trainee, you support the camp leader team with all tasks and can learn from experienced group leaders at the same time.

Just like the group leaders, you work together with all the volunteers in the work project, but you also support the group leaders in coordinating working hours, everyday life in the camp and leisure activities.

You should be able to communicate well in English (and possibly German).

You must be at least 18 years old to lead an international workcamp.

Our preparatory training for group leaders deals with the following question: How do I manage a group? We prepare you to work with group processes, deal with conflicts and consider your individual leadership style. We highly recommend you take part in one of the trainings, because they clarify many unanswered questions, convey a good picture of a typical work camp project and allow us to get to know each other personally. If you cannot attend any of the trainings, this is not a dealbreaker, however. Just contact us anyway, then we can prepare you individually according to your needs.

No. A driver's license is usually helpful, but not always necessary. But if you have your own car and want to bring it with you, that is often a relief. In this case we can also get you a special insurance for the car.

You will receive an allowance of 100 €/week from IBG for leading an international workcamp. For leaders of teenager camps, this is 150€/week.

As a camp leader trainee, you will not receive any allowance, but you will not have to pay any participation fee for the camp.

We will also reimburse the travel expenses for camp leaders as well as camp leader trainees: You will receive a lump sum of 200€ (up to 250€ if you lead two or more projects) to cover your travel and other additional costs. Accommodation and a budget for food are provided during the project.

After you finish the project you will receive a confirmation from us, if you would like to have one. Whether or not the project can be accredited in the context of your studies or similar, however, you will have to agree with the respective coordinators at your school / university.

Places are filled on a "first come, first serve" basis. That means that as long as the project is still listed under "Looking for a group leader", the place is still open. This can sometimes be very short-term. Generally speaking, it is much easier for you and for us,if you apply as early as possible.

For all questions concerning the work project and the accommodation, you have a contact person on site (our project partner). If there are questions about the budget, problems in the group, illnesses, etc. you can always contact us at the office as well. You will receive our private mobile number along with the camp file and in case of emergency you can of course also call in the evening / on weekends.

Your tasks before the work camp include: Contacting the project partner, clarifying open questions and making initial arrangements; getting in touch with the international participants, asking for leisure time ideas, allergies, etc.; researching possible leisure activities. In addition, you should arrive to the project site one day before the camp begins, so you are there before any of the participants, can make a first grocery shopping trip and prepare the accommodation.

After the project ends, you will send back the camp file with the receipts for money spent, as well as some photos and a camp report.

Every year at the end of September / beginning of October we organise the IBG Volunteers' Weekend. This weekend is your opportunity to evaluate your work camp experience and reflect on what you have learned during this time. You can talk to other group leaders, as well as participants and other volunteers, and learn more about IBG - and of course, have fun together!

Looking for a Group Leader

We are currently looking for group leaders for the following Workcamps in Germany. You still need more information about one of the projects before signing up as a group leader? Ask us whatever you want to know! You already know which workcamp you want to lead? Then register here for your camp now!

Open-Air-Theatre Heidenheim
Open-Air-Theatre Heidenheim
When? April 22nd - May 6th, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (leaders with driving license and willingness to drive) Curtain up, stage clear! Are you ready to help build a theater...
German-Swiss sculpture trail Hohentengen
German-Swiss sculpture trail Hohentengen
When? May 19th - June 1st, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers including 1-2 camp leaders Take care of and restore several sculptures on the German-Swiss Sculpture Trail in Hohentengen. Over water – over...
Adventure Land Lauchringen
Adventure Land Lauchringen
When? June 22nd to July 6th, 2024 Group size 8 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders For the sixth time, the municipality of Lauchringen invites international volunteers to the "Adventure Land", an...
Horb - Make public spaces beautiful
Horb - Make public spaces beautiful
When? June 30th to July 14th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  The city of Horb invites an international Workcamp for the second time! After the success of last year's camp, the...
Music Festival Pegnitz
Music Festival Pegnitz
When? July 7th to July 15th, 2024 Group size 10 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  Since 2013 the festival is supported by a small group of international volunteers, who can enjoy the truly unique...
Muecke - Hesse's green centre
Muecke - Hesse's green centre
When? July 09th - 23rd, 2024 Group size 13 volunteers including 2 camp leaders The Hessian community of Mücke is inviting international volunteers for the first time to support them in various tasks!...
Celtic House Bopfingen
Celtic House Bopfingen
When? July 12th to July 27th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders It is the 7th time that the community of Bopfingen invites an international Workcamp! A couple years back,...
PEACE work Hötensleben
PEACE work Hötensleben
When? July 12st -28th 2024 Group size 10-12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  This camp is about preserving a historical monument and at the same time learning and reflecting more about the history...
Lauterbach in the Black Forest
Lauterbach in the Black Forest
When? July 13th- 28th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) It is the 15th time that the...
Forest School Indelhausen (Youth Exchange)
Forest School Indelhausen (Youth Exchange)
When? July 14th-26th, 2024 Group size 24 volunteers incl. 4 group leaders (requirements for the leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) This youth exchange is for...
Vita Parcours Heilsbronn
Vita Parcours Heilsbronn
When?  July 21st- August 04th, 2024 Groupe size? 12 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders The municipality of Heilsbronn is counting on the help of international volunteers to maintain and renovate parts...
Music Festival Stuttgart
Music Festival Stuttgart
When? July 29th to August 07th, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (between 18-26) “U& D Stuttgart” is the biggest non-commercial music-politics-culture festival in...
Summer Camp Weil der Stadt
Summer Camp Weil der Stadt
When? July 29th-August 10th, 2024 Group size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) Come to Weil der...
Kids as Architects Schwanfeld
Kids as Architects Schwanfeld
When? July 30th - August 10th, 2024 Group size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders Help children build a “hut village” in the forest as part of the children’s holiday program in Schwanfeld. The...
Nature education trail Mönchweiler
Nature education trail Mönchweiler
When? August 04th-18th, 2024 Group size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) As international volunteer...
Colorful Wolframs-Eschensbach
Colorful Wolframs-Eschensbach
When?  August 18th-31st, 2024 Groupe size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) The focal point of the...
Care for the „Schachten-meadows” in Gumpenried!
Care for the „Schachten-meadows” in Gumpenried!
When?  10th - 20th of September, 2024 Groupe size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders The focal point of the project will be recoery of traditional mountain pastures of the Bavarian Forest or...
Educational Centre Kell am See
Educational Centre Kell am See
When? September 15th-29th, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  In Kell am See the regional youth department runs an educational centre, which offers different environmental...
German-French Youth Exchange
German-French Youth Exchange
When? October 27th - November 2nd, 2024 Group size 20 volunteers + 3 group leaders (ideally with a valid driving license) This youth exchange is open to volunteers from France and Germany between the...

Become a camp leader trainee

You want to lead an international Workcamp, but would like to gradually approach the experience as leader? Become part of one of the following camps in Germany as a camp leader trainee! In the role of trainee, you support the camp leader team with all tasks that arise and at the same time learn from experienced group leaders.

Do you already know which camp you would like to be part of? Then register here. First come, first served.

Open-Air-Theatre Heidenheim
Open-Air-Theatre Heidenheim
When? April 22nd - May 6th, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (leaders with driving license and willingness to drive) Curtain up, stage clear! Are you ready to help build a theater...
German-Swiss sculpture trail Hohentengen
German-Swiss sculpture trail Hohentengen
When? May 19th - June 1st, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers including 1-2 camp leaders Take care of and restore several sculptures on the German-Swiss Sculpture Trail in Hohentengen. Over water – over...
Horb - Make public spaces beautiful
Horb - Make public spaces beautiful
When? June 30th to July 14th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  The city of Horb invites an international Workcamp for the second time! After the success of last year's camp, the...
Muecke - Hesse's green centre
Muecke - Hesse's green centre
When? July 09th - 23rd, 2024 Group size 13 volunteers including 1-2 camp leaders The Hessian community of Mücke is inviting international volunteers for the first time to support them in various...
Celtic House Bopfingen
Celtic House Bopfingen
When? July 12th to July 27th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders It is the 7th time that the community of Bopfingen invites an international Workcamp! A couple years back,...
Lauterbach in the Black Forest
Lauterbach in the Black Forest
When? July 13th- 28th 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) It is the 14th time that the...
Vita Parcours Heilsbronn
Vita Parcours Heilsbronn
When?  July 21st- August 04th, 2024 Groupe size? 12 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders The municipality of Heilsbronn is counting on the help of international volunteers to maintain and renovate parts...
Kids as Architects Schwanfeld
Kids as Architects Schwanfeld
When? July 30th - August 10th, 2024 Group size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders Help children build a “hut village” in the forest as part of the children’s holiday program in Schwanfeld. The...
Nature education trail Mönchweiler
Nature education trail Mönchweiler
When? August 04th-18th, 2024 Group size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and the willingness to drive.) As international volunteer...
Educational Centre Kell am See
Educational Centre Kell am See
When? September 15th-29th, 2024 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  In Kell am See the regional youth department runs an educational centre, which offers different environmental...
Care for the „Schachten-meadows” in Gumpenried!
Care for the „Schachten-meadows” in Gumpenried!
When?  10th - 20th of September, 2024 Groupe size? 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders The focal point of the project will be recoery of traditional mountain pastures of the Bavarian Forest or...

Group Leader Trainings

In 2024 we are again offering two on-site training courses.

In addition to on-site trainings, there will continue to be regular online training for (future) group leaders.

Read more about dates, conditions of participation and registration for the trainings here.