Community life in the woods
Description: Acqua Fidia is a forested area where a water spring is located and where various trekking routes start. The local community is working to enhance Acqua Fidia, which is a place of identity for the community and a refuge from the heat and overbuilding of urban areas. Both young and old people living in the area have come together to plan projects and activities to fully experience the mountain and enjoy its benefits while protecting and caring for it. The volunteer camp that will take place in Acqua Fidia is important to give strength and new input to a newly formed group of volunteers who are taking care of the forest. The camp is also a key opportunity to raise awareness among residents to respect nature and reduce their negative impact on it.
Type of Work: Volunteers will start work on a hobbit house, using recycled materials with traditional local techniques. This work will be in addition to the art installation called "suspended platform", made in the forest with wood and ropes. In addition, you will collaborate in the maintenance work of the shelter, such as painting the walls, in order to make it operational as an accommodation and info-point for those who want to visit AcquaFidia. You will also support the improvement of the picnic area in front of the mountain hut, recovering the stone fences and hail stones. Trekking days will be organized where volunteers will clean the trails. Finally, volunteers will be engaged in designing and organizing a final event open to the community in which musical and artistic activities will be planned
Study Theme: Educational walks in the forest will be organized in which people will discover the flora and wild herbs, learning about their uses and benefits. There will also be cooking workshops in which they will make typical products and dishes, such as sheep's cheese and homemade pasta, and learn mountain cooking methods. International volunteers will have moments of discussion with local volunteers on the topic of slow tourism and the volorization of inland areas, such as Acqua Fidia. These discussions will lead to the design of activities and workshops that will take place during the closing event.
Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in the refuge inside the Acqua Fidia forest. There is a common room with beds. Those who wish can sleep in the forest in a tent that will be provided by the organisation. In that case, bring your sleeping bag. There is only one bathroom and there will be solar showers outside the hut. The local partner will provide meals based on traditional cuisine and the needs of the volunteers. You will often eat together with local volunteers and residents. In Acqua Fidia there is no internet connection.
Requirements: Active involvement of volunteers is encouraged and they are happy to welcome input and new ideas in the development of camp activities. Volunteers, if they have artistic talents, can also be personally involved in the final event. Resilience and adaptability is required, as this is a collaboration with a new local partner and a camp within a forest.
Approximate Location: The camp takes place in Acqua Fidia, a forest at 1000 meters above sea level and 5 km from the center of Mercogliano, a town on the slopes of Monte Vergine in the Campania region. From Mercogliano it is possible to reach Salerno by bus in 45 minutes from which one can go to the Amalfi coast (Sorrento, Amalfi). In an hour by bus you can reach Naples, from which you can visit Vesuvius and Pompeii. Rome can be reached by bus in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Notes: There is no phone coverage or Internet access and this represents an opportunity to detoxify from the digital world. If necessary, we have phone reception within500mts from the refuge. The urban core is a few km from the shelter, with ATM and businesses. Volunteers from partner organization can provide car rides to reach the center. Bring hiking shoes and bathing suit as there are waterways. There will be an opportunity to attend events and music festivals in the province of Avellino. Please kindly note that there is an additional incoming fee of 50 Euros for all volunteers applying through Partner organisations or Contacts of the SCI network. Check the status here: https://bit.ly/3vhBD5J. This fee covers hosting costs, insurance, a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers.
Camp Photographs
