The goal of our group volunteering program was to provide young people with the opportunity to explore a natural, gentle, and ethical lifestyle. During the three-week program, participants lived in nomadic conditions, stepping outside their modern comfort zones to experience the beauty of a simpler way of life. Daily activities focused on community living, self-sufficiency, and the development of practical skills.

Our volunteers' days were filled with active work and learning. In the garden, they performed seasonal tasks such as weeding, harvesting, loosening soil, fertilizing, mulching, and preparing beds for autumn planting. Additionally, construction practices played a significant role: volunteers contributed to community building projects by learning and applying techniques like concreting, creating light clay walls, clay plastering, and lime plastering.

They also helped insulate the walipini, an underground greenhouse that remains cool in the summer and frost-free in the winter, providing a suitable environment for plants year-round.

Beyond physical labor, participants experienced what it’s like to live in a community and take responsibility for its well-being. They prepared meals for the entire group on a rotating schedule, which not only enhanced their cooking skills but also improved their organizational abilities.

Through their experiences in the camp, participants gained knowledge about rainwater harvesting, solar energy use, and eco-construction techniques. By gaining insight into the daily life of the Cold Hill Shelter, they saw firsthand how a well-functioning small community operates and learned how to live in harmony with nature.

By the end of the camp, a close-knit and supportive community had formed. Even after the official program ended, the group continued to stay connected and share the experiences they had gained together. This intensive period provided participants not only with valuable practical knowledge but also with a lifelong experience and inspiration to shape their futures more consciously and sustainably.