When?
October 2 - 17, 2026
Group size
12 volunteers incl. 1-2 camp leaders
This camp is based on the cooperation between IBG and the Nature Park Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald, including the local forestry administration.
This project is for adventurers and those who enjoy spending time outdoors, especially during fall. If you're interested in sustaining biodiversity, have a heart for trees, and like to go camping – this project is for you! Also important is that you're happy to drive a 9-seater (small bus) and that you're a responsible contact person for your group members and the project partner. If additionally you bring along your wisdom on biodiversity or organic agriculture, all the better! But not a must-have criteria ☺️
You will be outdoors almost all day, have camp fires, improvised cooking, hikes, and other special occasions in this rural area. Please be prepared that October can be warm and sunny but also quite fresh and rainy. Please be prepared of the weather conditions: October can be warm and sunny but also quite fresh and rainy. You will very likely need warm clothes, extra socks, and weatherproof shoes & jacket. Average weather in October here is: ca. 13 °C during the day, 3 °C during the night; rain is very likely, 3–7 sun hours per day.
Help improve the health and lifespan of old fruit trees and give a home to biodiversity
This camp is next to a big meadow orchard where most of the work tasks are to be done. Here, you help to improve the health and lifespan of old fruit trees and thereby contribute to protecting a biodiverse habitat for small animals and birds. Under supervision you relieve the trees from heavy or rotten branches and collect as many apples, pears, and other fruit as you can for the local market and the fruit wine factory. Additional tasks await you in the forest where you will discover fall forestry duties with a ranger, and in the arboretum on the site — a beautiful botanical collection composed exclusively of trees and shrubs of a variety of species.
Please note that spending all day outdoors can be exhausting. Weatherproof working clothes are necessary, and bring some extra socks and comfy clothes ;-)
Please be aware that ticks can be an issue when you spend a lot of time outdoors in grass and forest areas!
You will spend the night on a youth campsite about 50 metres from the orchard (run by the local forestry administration).
You sleep on a youth campsite next to the orchard. Please bring a warm sleeping bag! In the farmhouse on the premises you’ll find showers, toilets, and an extra heated room should you want to dry your clothes. Outside is a large ‘bad weather shack’ that serves as lounge, kitchen or alternative sleeping place. Campfire spots are also available. 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 sustainable meals.
Stay in the "Swabian Fruit Juice Quarter"!
You are just 10km west of the beautiful old town of Schwäbisch Hall with a few farmers as your neighbors. The landscape in this area is very beautiful, it is dominated by forests and green hills — a perfect place for easy hiking. A swimming lake (if it's still warm enough) can be reached by foot. Trips to the nearby brewery or the old town of Schwäbisch Hall with its museums, shops, and some traditional German historical buildings is also worth the time.
Register now as a camp leader!
Register here if you would like to lead this camp.
This project is a volunteering team of European Solidarity Corps. Volunteers must reside in an EU country; age is restricted to 18-30 years.
If you have any questions about the project or your tasks as a camp leader, please send us an email or call us:
Email: projekte@ibg-workcamps.org
Phone: +49 711 649 02 63