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Construction: work camp at a fortified castle in France
Help restore the Château Fort de Ham in Picardy: heritage renovation, gardening and archaeological digs on a summer project ideal for youth groups.
- Where
- France
- Length
- From 2 to 8 weeks
- Minimum age
- 12 years old
- Language
- French basic
from €600 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
This project is a programme to restore a historic heritage site, an ideal place for humanitarian work in France. The Fort is a historical monument that several local associations are committed to protecting and maintaining in order to organize events or educational activities as part of a humanitarian trip.
It is a programme particularly suitable for school groups to engage in humanitarian work in France, as well as for scouts, as the projects are diverse and accessible to younger participants (ages 12-17). Individual participants are also welcome, but must be of legal age.
The work time is 26 hours per week, which can be divided into 2-hour sessions in the morning and 2-hour sessions in the afternoon, or even 4-hour sessions. The weekly schedule can also be adjusted to the group’s pace, leaving time for breaks and free time.
The various missions of the project
- Restoration of the cultural heritage of the Château de Ham.
- Landscaping.
- Use of specific tools.
- Gardening activities.
- Restoration of period tools.
- Contribution to archaeological excavations.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation for young people is in tents (non-mixed), all meals are included, and everyone participates in daily chores at the living quarters and on the work sites. Assignments are supervised by on-site project coordinators.
Free time and activities
- A visit to the historic city: exploring medieval architecture in the lower town and Art Deco/Modernist reconstruction in the city center.
- A visit to the abbey church and its crypt.
- Discovery of a megalithic alignment (a 10 km walk).
- Exploration of water gardens (the “hardines” of Ham).
- Visit to Amiens and its cathedral, and the evening “Illuminations” show at the cathedral, which attracts one million visitors every summer.
- Part of the Remembrance Circuit, including the Australian Museum in Villers-Bretonneux.
- Discovery of the town of Saint-Quentin and a stroll in the Isle Park.
- Visit to Coucy-le-Château, its ruins, and its youth volunteer project for those who want to engage in humanitarian work in France.
Additional information
Our team asks you to respect the places where you will be working and to take advantage of this experience to develop your knowledge and life skills.
You can reach the project by car, by TER train to Ham, Noyon or Saint-Quentin station, or by TGV to Haute Picardie station, where our partner can pick you up in their minibuses.
Budget
How long are you going for?
The project takes place in July and August every year.
What is included
- General coordination and logistical support
- Welcome and orientation
- All meals
- Sanitary facilities and kitchen, common rooms.
- Working in teams on a nature site.
- Free-time activities (local visits at weekends, weekday outings).
- Accommodation in tents.
- European Youth Card included to receive discounts all across Europe
Not included
- Return transport.
- Some weekend activities.
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
Renovation experience is not required; tasks are adapted according to the level of collective commitment.
This project requires a specific vocabulary, so an intermediate level of French is recommended.
The minimum age for participation in this project is 12 for groups supervised by adult leaders.
For people wishing to take part in renovation activities on their own, a minimum age of 18 is required to be able to follow our experts.
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
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