Croatia: Žumberak

About the local hosting organization

This is a Public Institution with over 20 years of experience in nature conservation, monitoring, educational workshops, scientific research, interpretation, big EU projects and a lot of knowledge.It has 5 employees who have experience in conservation theory and practice, 5 Park rangers and several staff members who will guide you through your activities. There will also be present: your mentor, the visitor center manager, it’s staff and some students who will be present. After the meet and greet we will follow a strict work schedule but we managed to fill it with enough extra fun content and space to enjoy your free time.Maintaining grasslands is one of our top priority. You will learn theory and practice and help us in mowing and removing shrubs to keep the forest at bay. This way more grasslands will remain a safe home for various protected plants and animals that depend on this open habitats, like orchids and butterflies.

Presentation of the programme

What will you gain from your stay with us?spending 10 days in a rural area with clean air and untouched nature pleasant locals to hang out with and spend your days local food and drinks 1 new & modern visitor center (dorms, café, etc.), knowledge (e.g. flora, fauna, habitats, cultural heritage, language, etc.), workshops (e.g. heritage interpretation), outdoor activities (e.g. fieldwork, hiking, educational trails) letter of recommendation from the Institution confirmation of all your activities and gained knowledge an inspiration and duty to do a fun activity back home after returnRough workday schedule:7:00 – 8:00 breakfast (prepared by members of your team) 8:00 – 9:00 "me-time” and/or teambuilding 9:00 – 12:00 working activities 12:00 – 13:00 lunch (hot meal) 13:00 – 16:00 working activities 16:00 - 18:00 workshops & free time 18:00 – 19:00 dinner (prepared by the members of your team) 19:00 - free timeWeekends: free time (meals at the same time as weekdays) – we encourage you to go on a hiking trip and discover the most beautiful areas of our ParkCorrect and detailed timetable for 10 days of the programme will be sent later to the organizations and volunteers. The timetable can be adjusted to the needs of the volunteers and activities. The PI has the right to change the timetable.

About the accomodation

Your home for 10 days will be here in the village of Sošice (population of 50 people). The village has our visitors center, 1 local bistro, a parish and 2 churches and a small monastery.

About the food

Meals: - On site, 3 meals a day + fruit and snacks (you’ll prepare breakfast and dinner together in our kitchenette and lunch will be cooked in a restaurant nearby)

About the leisure activities

Hiking, sports (football, basketball), kayaking, horseback riding, watching movies in our conference room

Requirements

What do we expect from you?to be a nature lover to have environmental awareness to have interest in learning and doing outdoor physical work to be responsible and committed to work to be serious about your stay, schedule and activities to be a team player, but also independant with your free time to be flexible and open to new ideas during your stay to be respectful and helpful to the localsOur typical continental summer weather suggests you should pack T-shirts, shorts, sneakers and light footwear, a few long sleeved shirts and a pair of trousers, but also a jacket and waterproof shoes for those windy and rainy days (keep in mind we don’t have a washing machine). There’s little chance that you will suffer unpleasant „heavy” heat in the mountains, but you will need sunscreen and a hat.