Mateusz Dryzek | Workcamp

A WORKCAMP is a volunteer project aimed at protecting and helping to develop the natural and cultural resources of a region. These projects encourage volunteers of all nationalities to collaborate on group initiatives that benefit the environment and/or heritage preservation. Such a description can be found on the Internet (for example, on the Polish website workcamps.pl).

I became involved in volunteering during secondary school. Since then, I have participated in nine workcamps - eight in Spain and one in Greece. These camps provide excellent opportunities to enhance experience working within an international team and acquire practical skills. They have also granted me the chance to travel and engage with different cultures (a phenomenon often referred to as voluntourism).

CAT06, TRULLETS

17-31.07.2009 Algerri, Catalonia, Spain Archaeological work

My first workcamp took place in Algerri, a small village adjacent to Lleida. The project's primary objective was to stimulate tourism in the region and specifically highlight visits to the ruins of medieval castle in the village and its surroundings. Alongside individuals from 15 countries (including South Korea, the USA, and Armenia), we set up a new path to the castle, constructed staircases leading up the hill, cleared vegetation from the castle ruins, and restored historical wine storage tanks (known as "trullets") carved into the rock.

SVIAN092, ALCORNOCALES

14-28.08.2010 Los Alcornocales Natural Park, Andalusia, Spain Ecological projects

Cork tree in Los Alcornocales Natural Park

Praca przy budowie stanowiska obserwacyjnego

The second workcamp I participated in took place in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park in Andalusia. This area is renowned for its cork tree forests (alcornocales) as well as its Paleolithic and Neolithic sites featuring cave paintings. As volunteers, our tasks included setting up a new trail in the park by installing arrows, signs, and information boards. Additionally, we constructed two observation points complete with tables and fences. Alongside our work efforts, we engaged in various workshops, integration activities, and presentations about our respective home countries, which we prepared.

ELIX14, NEA MAKRI ΙV

18.08-01.09.2011 Nea Makri, Greece Ecological projects

Przeciwpożarowa wierza obserwacyjna w Nea Makri

During my time in Greece, I engaged in a volunteer project that involved guarding a forest from a fire lookout tower. Nea Makri, a vacation spot near Athens, is renowned for its pine forests. The city frequently garners media attention due to recurrent wildfires that pose a threat to the Greek capital. Regrettably, many of these fires are the result of human activity, often driven by the desire to clear space for new buildings. Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, regional authorities collaborated with the fire brigade by inviting volunteers to monitor for signs of fire and promptly alert the brigade upon spotting smoke.

CAT19, Vilajuïga, where the wine comes from

03-17.09.2012 Vilajuïga, Catalonia, Spain Ecological projects

Mur wznoszony bez zaprawy w miejscowości Vilajuiga

The Vilajuïga municipality holds significant importance as a producer of Catalan wine. With a vision to promote the region, the governing body of Vilajuïga initiated a workcamp. The objective was to increase rural tourism and educate individuals about the art of winemaking. Volunteers participated in grape picking and contributed to the preparations for "The End of Harvest Season" celebration. At the same time, another group of volunteers undertook the renovation of an old dry stone wall and undertook the restoration of a medieval road leading to the ruins of a historical castle. In return for our efforts, we were granted the opportunity to explore the enchanting region known as "Dali Land," named after the renowned artist Salvador Dali.

SVIRI021, HORNILLOS DE CAMEROS I

16-31.07.2013 Hornillos de Cameros, La Rioja, Spain Palaeontological work

Praca przy konserwacji śladu ornitopoda, prawdopodobnie Iguanodona

Not widely known is the fact that Spain is home to nearly 10,000 documented dinosaur footprints. In the village of Hornillos de Cameros, nestled within the Sierra Cameros mountains, I had the privilege of engaging in a captivating paleontological workcamp. The objective of this project was to preserve a collection of dinosaur footprints, likely those of Iguanodons – the herbivorous dinosaurs of the late Cretaceous period. The project was coordinated by palaeontologists from La Rioja University, who also give as lectures about dinosaurs footprints and the way they are studied.

SVIVA011, BANYS DE LA REINA

16-30.07.2014 Calpe, Alicante, Spain Archaeological work

Stanowisko archeologiczne Banys de la Reina

In 2014, I took part in archaeological excavations at the Banys de la Reina (Queen's Baths) site, located in Calpe within the province of Alicante. The excavated portion of the site revealed the remnants of a Roman villa dating back from the 1st to the 5th centuries, featuring extraordinary mosaics unique to this particular region. During the excavation, we focused on unearthing the foundations of a Paleochristian church, constructed atop the Roman villa around the 7th century. In a commitment to knowledge exchange, local authorities organized a meeting that brought together participants from various workcamps across the entire region.

CAT02, ARCHEOLOGY IN GARRAF

29.06-13.07.2017 Begues, Barcelona, Spain Archaeological work

Right next to Barcelona, there is an important archaeological site called Cova de Can Sadurní. The cave hold traces of human activity dating back around six and a half thousand years (Neolithic period). Among the numerous findings, a burial site was uncovered, where deceased individuals held ceramic pot containing a substance resembling beer in their hands. I learned about such intriguing discoveries during a workcamp in Begues, where we assisted archaeologists in excavations. In addition to the typical archaeological work, we participated in activities related to experimental archaeology. This involves recreating ceramic artifacts and the walls of a shelter using primitive methods to understand how our ancestors crafted these items thousands of years ago.

SVIGA20, ILLAS CíES

17-28.08.2018 Cíes Islands, Galicia, Spain Ecological projects

One of the oldest workcamps in Spain takes place on the Cíes Islands archipelago, with the aim of educating visitors about the importance of nature conservation. The islands and the surrounding marine area are under strict protection and are part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. Unfortunately, the rise in tourism has led to the potential degradation of the unique island ecosystems. During the workcamp, we assisted park rangers in cleaning beaches, tallying incoming tourists, and organizing educational performances for children about plastic pollution.

SVIVC04, EL PRADO

19.07-02.08.2019 Viver, Valencia, Spain Archaeological work

In 2019, I participated in archaeological excavations near the town of Viver in the Valencia region. The site encompassed the ruins of a Roman settlement. The foundations of a house with a bathhouse were uncovered. During the workcamp, we discovered Roman coins, a mostly intact amphora, and fragments of plaster adorned with frescoes.

Locations of workcamps marked on the map.

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