PRESERVE THE CASTLE | CONCF-8006 | 2024-08-03 - 2024-08-24 | RENO | Age: 15 - 17

Built in the 13th century, this medieval fortress was a strategic point to defend the borders during various conflicts. It evolved with time and quickly became a prison welcoming prisoners such as Jeanne d’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 Château 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 theater. 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 Château de Ham! For several years, Concordia has been helping the Association des Amis du Château de Ham (association of the Friends of Ham Castle) to restore the monument during international volunteer workcamps. This workcamp in the commune continues its dynamic by bringing together local teenagers and international youths, allowing exchanges and meetings 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. The program will consist of learning masonry techniques and garden design, but above all international and intercultural exchanges, all of this 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 can use. You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals together.

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 Péronne (25 min) with its old castle and museum, or Noyon (20 min) with its medieval historic center. A visit to the city of Compiègne (imperial city) and Amiens (capital of Picardie) are also on the visit program!

Airport: CDG

Train/Bus station: train station of TGV Haute Picardie

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 happen on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

Appointment is set at the SNCF train station of TGV Haute Picardie, on 03/08 in the late afternoon. The exact meeting time will be communicated with the roadmap, sent no later than 4 weeks before the start of the project. From Paris Gare du Nord, take the TGV towards Lille. The last day is reserved for departures. More details will come with the infosheet, See you soon!

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 250 EUR

Please bring work clothes for the site and closed shoes. For the accommodation under tents, 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. On the last day (24/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning.