What is a summer camp?

It is the most common form of short-term volunteering project where a group of volunteers work and live together on a project identified by a local community.

 

What is expected from me as a volunteer?

It is expected you come in a good mood and you are willing to participate actively, to respect other cultures and being adaptive during the camp.

 

What will I do in the camp?

The type of the project developed by Alfa Albona is mainly nature and environmental oriented, and it is consistet of building the complete outdoor educational centre for young people out of pallets and woods cleaning the walking paths and/or hiking trails, cleaning of the coastline, removing invasive growth, but also includes activities regarding the prevention of forest fire and one part dedicated for boosting up young people social skills, team building, intercultural dimension. The project is identified on the needs of the local community.

 

What are the main activities that I can do during my free time?

In your free time you can relax, go for swimming, hiking, you can borrow our association kayaks and go to explore our lovely coast, you can rent a bike/sup/boat, do sports…

 

Who leads the camp?

Alfa Albona has trained leaders for our camps and their role is to bridge the group of EVS long term volunteers, EVS short-term volunteers, local community, local young people and volunteers coming to our camp. They have the extra responsibility of running the project and communicating with all involved parties. In the camp they are also in charge for logistics and safety measures.

 

Do I need any special skills to join a camp?

No, you don’t need any special skills to join a camp. However, this camp is physically intensive so you will need to be aware of your own limitations. You will be expected to participate not only in the work with the other volunteers but also in building a positive group atmosphere and undertaking group activities together.

 

Does my dissability stop me for participating in the camp?

No it doesn’t. You will need to tell us about the nature of your disability when applying to do a camp. We’ll make every effort to accommodate volunteers on the camp but we can’t guarantee that our camp will be accessible for certain disabilities.

 

Are there any language requirements?

English is the official language of camp but don’t worry if you don’t speak it perfectly; many of our volunteers use the opportunity to learn and improve their English skills! You don’t need any knowledge of croatian language, as most of the croatians can speak English really well. But keep in mind that locals appreciate and like when foreigners try to learn and speak some words or phrases of their native language.

 

When the camp is organized?

The camp is organized from 15th of June till 31st of July 2018 and you can join in any of this dates.

 

How long the volunteers can stay in a camp?

The groups of volunteers usually stay for one weekn, but there is a possiblity to stay up to 2 weeks.

 

Will I have materials for work?

All materials for work will be provided by Alfa Albona.

 

What about transportation? How do I get to the camp place?

It is up to you which mode of transportation to the camp you choose. We reccomend ryanair as a low cost airline for coming to Pula, Croatia and then taxi van that we can arrange for you for a reasonable price. The transportation cost is not included into the participation fee of the camp.

 

What if someone has to leave early or arrive late?

Please let us know about it on time and we will give our best to help you with your arrival/departure.

 

Which costs are covered by my participation fee?

The participation fee is 280,00 euro per person and it inlcludes 3 meals per day (breakfast, luch, dinner), 2 snacks (fruits, ice cream, cookies…), soft drinks/coffee/tea/water as much as you want, materials for work, 1 day excursion and tickets to museum and galleries, the rent for accommodation and activities areas, tourist tax, using all facilities mentioned in the info pack, logistics, trainers and facilitators.

 

What type of accommodation will be provided?

Organization has on disposal 30 modern equipped tents. We have tents for 2/3/4 people, and each tent has a matress, sleeping bag and blanket. You will share the tent with someone from your group.

 

What should I bring with me?

Apart from enthusiasm and motivation, you will need to bring suitable working clothes for the camp. Please take some old clothes as you will work with construction and later with painting the facilities and cleaning the paths, in order not to destroy your usual clothes. Additionally sun cream and anti mosquito cream, summer clothes but also some more warm clothes for chilly or rainy days (as weather sometimes changes), medicines (in case you are taking some due to the health condition), things for personal hygene, towels, flashlight.

 

Why do I need the flashlight?

We have electricity in the camp, but during the night when is sleeping time we close it in order to enjoy more in the natural environment.

 

What about safety in the camp?

We ensure high safety in the camp. Additionally, we have night guards, emergency kit in the camp, team leaders who are educated for the first aid and a possibility to reach ambulance very fast if needed.

 

Alchocol policy in the camp?

Alchocol is forbidden in the camp. However, if your group wishes to go for a drink you cango to the local bar and restaurant.

 

What kind of food is provided in the camp?

For breakfast we will have eggs, cheese, butter, jam, chocolate cream, yogurts, fruits, salami, cornflakes…, lunch and dinner are both cooked meals and usually there are typically istrian food which is quite similar like italian and you can expect pasta, meat and potatoes, fish and chips, local dishes like different vegetable/meat/beans soup… All food is freshly prepared that day and it comes from the local restaurant.

 

What if I dont like the food?

If you dont like the food then there is a possibility that we do or order something different for you.

 

What if I am on a special diet/I am a vegetarian (vegan)?

No problem about your dietary needs, just please tell us before the starting of the camp (in your application form) so that we can order food on time from the restaurant.

 

Can I drink tap water?

Of course. We are really proud that our water is coming directly from the mountains. In case you prefer bottled water, we have bottled water as well on disposal all the time.

 

Is there a possiblity to bring some food from my country for the intercultural night?

Of course, you are very welcome to do that. We have also prepared a place for participant to storage their food and 1 fridge as well.

 

How many hours will I work per day?

From 4 to 6 hours per day.

 

What is the weather in Croatia during summer?

During the summer the weather is really nice and sunny, with temperatures from 25 till 35 degrees, sometimes even more. However, it can happen that there is a rain but usually it is just for couple of hours.

 

Is there Internet and mobile signal in the camp?

There is signal for mobile in the camp, we provide also places for charging the electronics. Considering Internet ther is wi-fi close to the reception.

 

How are the prices in Croatia? Is Croatia an expensive country?

Most probably you will spend very little money during the camp or, if you live more modestly, no money at all. If you want to buy souvenirs, have a drink in the bar or in the restaurant, then you will need some money. Croatia is not an expensive country.

 

Is there a shop in the camp?

There is a shop in the close area of the camp, 2 minutes away by walking.

 

Is there a pharmacy in the camp?

No, but Alfa Albona team goes daily to the town which is 17 km away and can take you to the pharmacy or buy what you may need.

 

Which documents should I take with me?

Please take your ID and health/travel insurance with you.

 

Are there any wild or/and poison animals in the camp?

The most animals you will see are grasshoppers and mosquitos but they are not poison or dangerous. Beside that there is a possibility to see also dormouse, a night animal that is harmless and really rare non poison snakes but usually they dont approach as they tend to be in places were there is no one and its quite.

 

In case of rain would I have anything to work on as most of the activities are held outside?

Of course. We have a big tent of 60m2 in which activities and work is done in case of bad weather.

 

Can I suggest my creative ideas in the camp?

All volunteers ideas are very welcomed in the camp. We are thrilled if you can share with us your skills and knowledge.

 

Is the sea dangerous to swim in?

The sea is not dangerous, its very clean and you can see through it. All summer the water is quite warm and perfect to swim in. We dont have poison or dangerous animals in it. However, due to your safety we suggest not to go into deep water.

 

Are tents safe and water-repellant in case of rain?

Tents are really quality and safe and they are water-repellant so in case of bad weather there is no need to be worried.

 

What if I am cold during the nights?

Usually temperature are high in the summer and it isnt cold in the tents as each person has the sleeping bag that we provide but in case of being cold we have lots of blankets that we will give you to use.