When?
September 5 - 19, 2026
Group size
12 volunteers, including 1-2 camp leaders (drivers license very helpful)
Joint project of the Alte Ziegelei Mainz and the Ober-Olm Forest Nature Conservation Center
The Alte Ziegelei Mainz was shut down in the 1970s. In the 19th century, brick production was an important part of regional industry and contributed significantly to the architectural development of Mainz and the surrounding area. Today, the buildings are listed as historical monuments and house a drama school, a kindergarten, accommodation for refugees, an adult education center, an unemployment initiative, and the Association for Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation. With two barbecue areas, it offers citizens space for private celebrations. The outdoor area has been redesigned taking into account the old clay pits and natural conditions.
The Waldnaturschutzzentrum (WNZ), an environmental education facility, is located in the Ober-Olm forest (approx. 5 km from the Alte Ziegelei). Numerous groups come here to participate in environmental education events, public campaigns, and the maintenance of the Ober-Olmer Wald nature reserve.
You will work with clay, traditional construction methods, landscape and nature conservation, and environmental education tools.
Two working groups will be formed for two main areas of work:
1) At the Alte Ziegelei in Mainz, you will repoint the masonry of the historic ring kiln, carry out landscape conservation work, and take on various tasks on the grounds of the old brickworks and in the brick museum.
2) At the Forest Nature Conservation Center, you will build a clay oven. This clay oven will be available for public events, e.g., for baking pizza. There are also plans to hold regular baking days on site, where interested parties can bake their own bread. There are numerous other activities to discover on site, e.g., in the WaldArtenGarten (Forest Species Garden), which was created during the last international work camp. There, the work includes maintaining the biotope and helping to open an exhibition by the art college.
You will stay in various rooms at the Alte Ziegelei Mainz cultural center.
The standard of accommodation is rather simple: a kitchen, toilets, showers, and camping beds are available. Please bring your sleeping bag!
Mainz is a lively city with around 230,000 inhabitants – rich in cultural life, sights, and history. You will have the opportunity to carry out activities together with local volunteers who are active in nature conservation associations, followed by a “festival of cultures” with culinary specialties.
Register now as a camp leader!
Register here if you would like to join this camp as a camp leader or camp leader trainee.
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 duties as a camp leader, please contact us directly:
Email: projekte@ibg-workcamps.org
Phone: +49 711 649 02 63