Philosophy of Workcamps

An international workcamp is such an open ended experience and depends so much on the input of its participants that it may seem to lack definition. Rather than providing a definition, we would like to give prospective volunteers some guidelines for thinking about workcamps so that the decision to take part in one is better informed.

Participation in an international workcamp means:


A commitment to a group experience

Workcamps are opportunities to explore the potential of an international group working together, to accomplish work, to develop dialogues, to have fun, to spark community interaction. Workcamps should not be seen first as a means for accomplishing individual goals, such as touring a particular area, learning a language, looking for a job, or having a cheap vacation!

In the course of a workcamp, some of these individual goals may be achieved, but attention to them should not detract from the group experience. Part of the group experience involves reaching beyond the comforts of one's own language and familiar culture. Workcamp participants should be aware of the importance of assisting everyone in speaking the stated language of the workcamp. Volunteers from the same countries should be careful not to exclude other volunteers by lapsing into conversations and cultural patterns which others may not understand.


A commitment to working out decisions and problems together

Orders are not issued from above (i.e. the workcamp leaders); rather, the group discusses and guides, while individuals decide. It is important to be willing to take part in this process, which sometimes takes time and consideration of different perspectives within the group.

For example, if a workcamp participant wants to pursue some interest which falls somewhat outside of the workcamp plans, it is a decision which is properly discussed by the group, even though it remains the workcampers' own decision. SCI's commitment to this process is an expression of working for peace and reconciliation on a personal level, as well as on practical level through the work of the workcamp.


Attending the entire workcamp

It is strongly recommended that you do not arrive late or depart early at a workcamp. A person arriving late misses the crucial period of orientation and friendly awkwardness as group members get to know one another and a group spirit builds. A person departing early erodes the feeling of solidarity in a group and leaves the remaining volunteers with a sense of having been left behind for something more important. No matter how successful a workcamp is, an early departure can create among the volunteers a feeling of waiting for the workcamp to come to an end.


Being sensitive to the camp's place in the community

The workcamp represents a group of people who have come together for a relatively short period of time. They are guests within the community and are unfamiliar with the intricate and subtle patterns which exist within the community of which their project sponsor is a part. Consequently, there is a challenge in having the workcamp gracefully blend in with the community, especially when local customs and mores differ from the workcamper's own. Workcamp participants should regard the differences as opportunities to learn, not as sources of conflict.