Workcamp Details

Description: The Dutch project at the flood museum is very special, since the SIW International Volunteering Projects was founded 70 years ago after the flood of 1953 in the Netherlands. The Flood Museum in Ouwerkerk is where you can learn all about the 1953 North Sea flood and Zeelands battle against the tide. The museum was built after the flood. It consists of phnix caissons, which were used to seal the dikes. These are enormous concrete structures (62 x 20 x 18 meters wide) that sealed the largest breaches in the dikes. Four of these gigantic structures were placed to seal the last breach in the dike at Ouwerkerk, serving as a memorial to the regions and the countrys historic struggle against the sea. Linked by underground passages, these four caissons house the Flood museum. In 2023 it will be 70 years ago that the flood disaster took place. The museum keeps the memories alive, learning from the past but also looking forward. In the year of remembrance, the museum is not only looking back 70 years, but also 70 years ahead. The project is about supporting the museum to accomplish this in many different ways.

Type of Work: The Dutch project at the flood museum is very special, since the SIW International Volunteering Projects was founded 70 years ago after the flood of 1953 in the Netherlands. The central theme in project is Future and accessibility. Participants will make during the project a plan for how the flood museum of the future could look like. This is particularly interesting as fewer and fewer people experienced the Dutch floods of 1953.The project activities will be in and around the museum.There are three type of activities:1. Renovation and redecoration of the museum building and its surroundings. Examples are: painting, renovating of stairs and terraces and picknick places.2. Development of new biodiversity opportunities. Examples are: developing new breeding grounds for birds, building insect hotels, developing vegetable gardens.3. Improvement of marketing and publicity. Examples are: translating guided tours, making website vlogs, creating attractive marketing materials to attract new young volunteers.

Accommodation: You will stay in tents on the beautiful nature campingsite de Vierbannen . This campingsite is on a 5 minutes walk from the museum. Tents will be provided by the organisation. You need to bring your sleeping mattress/mat and sleeping bag with you. Of course you can also bring your own tent with you.

Language: eng,

Requirements: Note: There is no student discount for this project. The participation fee for this project is aO50 for foreign volunteers and aO225 for participants living in the Netherlands. The participation fee should be paid in cash upon arrival. No preparation training is required for the participants.What to bring: Must bring (obligated): 1)Sleeping mattress / sleeping mat, sleeping bag 2)Old working clothes 3)Rain is spread out over the year, so bring warm clothes, a raincoat and a swimming suit 4)Soap, toiletries and a towel(s)Wise to bring: 1)Recipes from your own country2)Drivers license that is valid in Holland, in case you have one 3)Sunglasses and something on your head against the sun Nice to bring 1)Musical instruments, ideas for games/activities 2)Energy, enthusiasm and an open mind 3)A sense of humor

Approximate Location: The campingsite is close to a national Park, which is famous for the plants, birds and fishes.There is a special place Plan Tuureluur, where you can spot birds.Of course there are also possibilities for other activities like swimming, diving, surfing and sailing in the river Osterschelde. The village Ouwerkerk is on 15 minutes walk. In Ouwerkerk you can do shopping and there are some terraces and restaurants.Next to that, the partipants can organise, with the support of their campleaders, a seals safari, boat trip and trips to beautiful old towns as Zierikzee and MIddelburg. So more than enough to enjoy in your freetime

Camp Photographs