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 workcamp 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!

Bernburg – Taking action for young people
Bernburg – Taking action for young people
When? July 15th to August 5th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders  Since more than 20 years, the municipality of Bernburg has been inviting international workcamps almost each summer!...
Cold war and peace Hötensleben
Cold war and peace Hötensleben
When? July 21st to August 6th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  This workcamp is about preserving a historical Cold War monument while learning about and reflecting on the history...
Heilsbronn - path to fitness and sensory
Heilsbronn - path to fitness and sensory
When? July 22 to August 5, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  The town of Heilsbronn has been hosting workcamps for 13 years already and is looking forward to welcoming another...
Kirf – Woodwork and country life
Kirf – Woodwork and country life
When? July 29 to August 12, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  This year, for the first time, the community of Kirf is asking for the support of international volunteers. The...
Stühlingen - Here grows the future!
Stühlingen - Here grows the future!
When? July 30 to August 12, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers from 16 to 20 years old from Catalonia, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lombardy and Baden-Württemberg and  2-3 camp leaders  The municipality of...
Bad Windsheim - Shape a place for youth education
Bad Windsheim - Shape a place for youth education
When? July 30th till August 12th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  Support the European School Hostel in Bad Windsheim, an important place for youth work in the whole area of...
Music Festival Stuttgart
Music Festival Stuttgart
When? July 31st to August 9th, 2023 Group size 10 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (between 18-26) “Umsonst & Draussen” is organized in a participative way, where everyone can come and take part. It...
Lauffen - Create a youth centre
When? September 16 to September 30, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders Register now as a camp leader! Register here if you would like to lead this workcamp. If you have any...
Bernau – Autumn in the mountains
Bernau – Autumn in the mountains
When? October 1 to October 11, 2023 Group size 9 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and be confortable to drive.) Come to the Black...
Biodiversity protection in the Baar region
Biodiversity protection in the Baar region
When? October 7 to October 21 2023 Group size 10 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  Come to the beautiful Baar region to be part of a great nature and biodiversity conservation project. This project...

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 the following workcamps 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 workcamp you would like to be part of? Then register here. First come, first served.

Celtic House Bopfingen
Celtic House Bopfingen
When?July 08th to July 22nd 2023Group size12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leadersIt is the 7th time that the community of Bopfingen invites an international workcamp!A couple years back,...
Neresheim in Bloom
Neresheim in Bloom
When? July 15 to July 29, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders The goal of Neresheim’s municipality is to bring life and colour to the town by filling the streets and parks with...
Black Forest Experience Lauterbach
Black Forest Experience Lauterbach
When? July 15th to July 30th 2023 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...
Bernburg – Taking action for young people
Bernburg – Taking action for young people
When? July 15th to August 5th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders  Since more than 20 years, the municipality of Bernburg has been inviting international workcamps almost each summer!...
Cold war and peace Hötensleben
Cold war and peace Hötensleben
When? July 21st to August 6th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  This workcamp is about preserving a historical Cold War monument while learning about and reflecting on the history...
Music Festival Stuttgart
Music Festival Stuttgart
When? July 31st to August 9th, 2023 Group size 10 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (between 18-26) “Umsonst & Draussen” is organized in a participative way, where everyone can come and take part. It...
Heilsbronn - path to fitness and sensory
Heilsbronn - path to fitness and sensory
When? July 22 to August 5, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  The town of Heilsbronn has been hosting workcamps for 13 years already and is looking forward to welcoming another...
Kirf – Woodwork and country life
Kirf – Woodwork and country life
When? July 29 to August 12, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  This year, for the first time, the community of Kirf is asking for the support of international volunteers. The...
Stühlingen - Here grows the future!
Stühlingen - Here grows the future!
When? July 30 to August 12, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers from 16 to 20 years old from Catalonia, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lombardy and Baden-Württemberg and  2-3 camp leaders  The municipality of...
Bad Windsheim - Shape a place for youth education
Bad Windsheim - Shape a place for youth education
When? July 30th till August 12th 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders  Support the European School Hostel in Bad Windsheim, an important place for youth work in the whole area of...
Brohltal - Castle and Community
Brohltal - Castle and Community
When? August 27th to September 16th 2023 Group size 15 volunteers incl. 2 camp leaders  The communities of Oberzissen, Niederdürenbach and Hain have joined forces for the first time to welcome an...
Black Forest Village Grafenhausen
Black Forest Village Grafenhausen
When? September 9 to September 20, 2023 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.) Grafenhausen is...
Lauffen - Create a youth centre
When? September 16 to September 30, 2023 Group size 12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders   More infos soon!     Register now as a camp leader! Register here if you would like to lead this...
Bernau – Autumn in the mountains
Bernau – Autumn in the mountains
When? October 1 to October 11, 2023 Group size 9 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders (requirements for the camp leaders are a valid driver's license and be confortable to drive.) Come to the Black...
Educational Centre Kell am See
Educational Centre Kell am See
When? October 1st to October 14th 2023 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...

Group Leader Trainings

In 2023 we will again offer two on-site training courses.

In addition to on-site trainings, there will continue to be regular online training for (future) group leaders. We will start another round in summer.

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

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