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 of the division of Germany.
This camp takes place in a very special village: During the Cold War, the village of Hötensleben was located directly on the inner-German border (eastern side), which divided Germany. From 1952 to 1989 the village was part of an exclusion zone established by the East German dictatorship. The restricted area stretched along the 1,400 km long border with West Germany and was aimed at preventing illegal border crossings. Walls, barbed wire fences and watchtowers blocked the view and the roads to the west. Border guards, mines and guns ensured that no one tried to flee East Germany. For the villagers, as for all people who lived in the 5 km exclusion zone, life was even more restricted than anywhere else in the country. Armed forces and government surveillance were omnipresent. Many people died trying to escape.
After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, the border fortifications were preserved by the local border monument association Hötensleben. A 400 meter long section of the former fortification system can still be visited today. The border monument represents life on the former border - in East and West -, provides information about the rigid border regime and commemorates the people who died on this border. The border monument is part of the Marienborn Memorial.
PEACE is the main theme of this camp.
Questions about war and peace, migration and its causes, isolation and violence are unfortunately still very current topics today. The camp in Hötensleben offers the opportunity to learn more about the time of the Iron Curtain and the division of Germany and to think about what peace means to you and how you can contribute to it.
At the end of the camp, your group presents your personal view on the topic of “peace” to the villagers and discusses it with them.
You will also help out with a few smaller maintenance tasks in the area.
The border monument is visited by many visitors every year. Regular maintenance is required to maintain it and improve access to the memorial. This is too much for the volunteers of the local association alone, so they are happy about your support. You will help with maintenance work on the border monument, mow and build new wooden seating.
You will stay in the former town hall of Hötensleben.
After the town hall moved, the building was renovated and now offers several holiday apartments. The apartments offer enough space for everyone. There are various bedrooms with beds and a well-equipped kitchen. WiFi access is limited.
Be aware: The ground floor of the building is used for various activities during the week, so don't be alarmed if you see unfamiliar faces every now and then!
Hötensleben is a small village with around 2,500 inhabitants.
International camps have been taking place in Hötensleben for over 20 years, so the residents look forward to the volunteers. Many activities are carried out together with locals, e.g. with the Hötensleben volunteer fire department. You should be interested in contemporary German history because you will work at and visit historical places and memorials of German history.
You will be provided with bicycles so that you can be mobile in your free time and, for example, go to the swimming pool.
locals, e.g. with the Hötensleben volunteer fire department. You should be interested in contemporary German history because you will work at and visit historical places and memorials of German history.
You will be provided with bicycles so that you can be mobile in your free time and, for example, go to the swimming pool.
Register now as a camp leader!
Register here if you would like to lead this camp or join as a trainee.
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