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LEG14 EYA - Zovencedo Work Camp
ZOVENCEDO, province of Vicenza, Veneto region
05/07/2026 - 19/07/2026
18+
Places: 10

Project summary:
An essential experience immersed in nature.
This volunteer camp is designed for those who are ready to slow down, adapt, and embrace a simple, rustic way of living. Participants will stay in a shared yurt, following the rhythms of
nature and surrounded by the green landscapes of the Berici Hills in the province of Vicenza, Veneto. Days will unfold through manual work, care for the land, and shared community life. It
is an opportunity to rediscover nature, silence, authentic relationships, and the beauty of simplicity

Description:
The project offers volunteers a unique and fully immersive experience in nature in the municipality of Zovencedo, in the heart of the Berici Hills.
During the first week, participants will take care of the green areas surrounding the Museo della Pietra ? Cava di Cice and help prepare the site to host the local community during two
cultural and food & wine events taking place on July 9 and 11 (?Cena in Cava? and ?Calici in
Cava?). In the second week, volunteers will focus on restoring and maintaining hiking trail
signage and public information boards throughout the municipality.
These activities will allow participants to collaborate closely with a network of local volunteers and environmental enthusiasts committed to protecting the territory and organizing cultural initiatives that strengthen community life.

Hosted in an ecocamping, volunteers will also take part in agricultural and manual activities designed to encourage reflection on environmental sustainability in all its aspects. The
experience aims to foster strong group bonds while nurturing a renewed sense of coexistence with the natural environment.
In their free time, participants will engage in practical activities such as building a clay oven, distilling lavender to produce essential oil, caring for the vegetable garden and beehives,
experiencing falconry alongside a professional falconer, and designing and creating wooden and rope installations.

On clear nights, guided sky observation sessions will be organized, with the opportunity to meet members of the Gruppo Astrofili Vicentini, who actively manage the Arcugnano
Observatory and regularly promote educational and outreach activities.

This camp is a part of the project "European Youth in Action: policymakers for climate justice", co-funded by the Citizens, Equality. Rights and Values (CERV) programme of the European
Commission.

LEGAMBIENTE LOCAL GROUP:
The volunteer camp is organized by Il Castagno Rosso (non-profit organization) in collaboration with the Legambiente Vicenza local group. Since 2020, Il Castagno Rosso has
been caring for approximately two hectares of meadows and woodland, gradually developing simple and functional facilities designed to host educational and recreational activities in
nature for young people and families.

Over the years, the site has welcomed a forest kindergarten, a homeschooling project, several summer nature camps for children and teenagers, as well as music and theatre events open
to the wider community.

Hosting participants in this international volunteer project represents an important opportunity for the association to strengthen cooperation with a broader network of local
actors committed to environmental protection, while expanding the social and environmental impact of its activities within the territory

LOCATION AND LEISURE:
The Berici Hills are a remarkable area of biodiversity in the heart of the Po Valley. Of karst origin, they are shaped by caves inhabited since Neanderthal times, where nature and ancient
history meet.

Much of the landscape is covered by coppice woodlands that have long provided resources for local communities, while also hosting rich wildlife. The region?s identity is closely linked to
limestone quarrying, whose stone was famously used by Andrea Palladio; traces of this past are still visible today.

An extensive network of hiking and cycling trails, including the 130 km Alta Via dei Berici, crosses the hills and passes near the camp area. Excursions may lead to Brendola and its medieval castle, Lake Fimon and the Valley of the Mills, and the stone sculptures of San Gottardo

WORK:

Zovencedo is a small municipality of just over 800 inhabitants, where a close-knit community
actively cares for its territory through local volunteer initiatives. The contribution of
international volunteers will be highly valued, offering a meaningful opportunity for cultural
exchange and intergenerational dialogue.
Volunteers will support the community by cleaning and maintaining the areas hosting
municipal events, as well as assisting with event setup and dismantling. During the second
week, they will focus on restoring public information boards and hiking trail signage, helping
to improve accessibility and usability for both residents and visitors

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
During their free time, volunteers will take part in educational moments focused on adopting
low-impact lifestyles and understanding the importance of protecting biodiversity to improve
quality of life for everyone.
All activities are organized as practical workshops, offering participants the opportunity to
develop specific skills through a hands-on and experiential approach. They will learn for
example: how to build a clay oven, explore the different stages of lavender processing to
produce essential oil, gain an introduction to beekeeping and falconry, participate in guided
night-sky observations, and design and create wooden and rope installations

TERMINAL:
The nearest airports are Verona, Venice, and Treviso.
Bus connections to the Berici Hills are limited, so participants are advised to carefully check
the timetables in advance. The updated schedules are available on the website of the local
public transport company (Società Vicentina Trasporti ? SVT)
www.svt.vi.it

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD:
Volunteers will stay in a yurt located on a two-hectare property of meadows and woodland
managed by Il Castagno Rosso. Accommodation consists of a shared dormitory with 10 beds,
and bed linen is provided.
The ecocamping is powered by an off-grid photovoltaic system and features eco-friendly
structures designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. There is currently
no Wi-Fi connection on site, but internet access will be guaranteed during the stay. A large
tent structure will serve as the kitchen and common area.

Meals will prioritize seasonal, locally sourced products, and cooking as well as cleaning tasks
will be organized on a rotating basis. For personal hygiene, the municipality of Zovencedo
provides access to changing rooms with showers and running water at the local sports field,
located about 1 km from the accommodation. Two dry toilets and potable water tanks are
available directly at the campsite

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
Participation in the camp requires adaptability and a willingness to live in a simple, essential, and nature-oriented way. The setting is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor life, hiking, and
embracing a slower, more minimalist lifestyle in close contact with the natural environment

LANGUAGE: Inglese