PRESERVE THE CASTLE | CONCF-8006 | 2023-07-31 - 2023-08-19 | RENO | Age: 15 - 17

Built in the 13th century, the medieval fortress is a strategic point to defend the borders during various conflicts. It evolves with time and quickly becomes a prison welcoming prisoners such as Joan of Arc, or, later, Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (future Napoleon III). Almost completely destroyed by the German army in 1917, it is now in a state of ruin. For more information, you can consult their website : http://chateau-de-ham.over-blog.com/ Since 1972, the Association des Amis du Chateau de Ham has been fighting to preserve and enhance the historical site. They host integration work sites, organize flea markets and exhibitions, and even transform the site into a theatre. For several years, Concordia has been helping the association with the restoration of the monument through volunteer workcamps involving local and international youth.

Work: Have fortified castles always made you dream? Get involved and come and live a unique volunteering experience in the Chateau de Ham! For several years, Concordia has been helping the Association des Amis du Chateau de Ham (association of the Friends of the Castle of Ham) to restore the monument during international volunteer workcamps. This workcamp in the town continues its dynamic by bringing together local teenagers and international youths, allowing exchanges and encounters to run. This year, we will be working on landscaping and masonry, a variety of work appropriate to the history of the site. We will continue the development of the "prisoners garden" and the consolidation of the ruins of the former German kitchen, with pointing and many other techniques that you will learn. Program: learning masonry techniques and garden design, but above all international and intercultural exchanges in a good mood!

Accomodation and food: Accommodation will be in collective tents, with boys and girls separated (don t forget your sleeping bag!) A village house is at your disposal for the living space, the eating place as well as the toilets and showers. The house also has a washing machine that you would use. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and preparing meals together. A budget will be allocated to the group leader and you will participate in the grocery shopping and in the preparation of meals, prioritising products from the market and local producers. WIFI will also be accessible.

Location: HAM

Location and Leisure: Ham is a town of about 7,000 inhabitants located in the Hauts-de-France, in the east of the Somme, in the heart of the former Picardie region. The town is 1h30 from Paris, 1h from Amiens and 25 min from Saint-Quentin. Because of its position during the First World War, the region hosts today many places of memory and commemoration. Other tourist attractions close to the town also reflect the history of the region, such as Peronne (25 min) with its old castle and museum, or Noyon (20 min) with its medieval historic centre. A visit to the city of Compiegne (imperial city) and Amiens (capital of Picardie) are also on the visit program!

Airport: CDG

Train/Bus station: TGV HAUTE PICARDIE train station

Requirements: Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for them, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

The meeting point will be at TGV HAUTE PICARDIE train station round 4pm of the afternoon on the 31st of July. The exact meeting time will be given with the infosheet which will be sent at the latest 4 weeks before the start of the workcamp. If possible, please consider using low-carbon transportation (train and bus rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp. The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, accessible on the following website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/ If you are coming first by plane, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress free travel.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 200 EUR

Please bring work clothes for the site and closed shoes. For the accommodation under tent, think of your sleeping bag as well as a sleeping mat for more comfort. Don't forget your bathing suit in case a swimming pool activity is planned. You can also bring specialties from your country, photos, musical instruments, in short what you like and want to share on this site, either with the local population or with the group!