More than twenty young people from all over Europe have settled in Drenthe these weeks. Together with Staatsbosbeheer, they voluntarily roll up their sleeves to help maintain the characteristic landscape.
“There are many pieces in the landscape that we cannot reach with large machines. They pick up that work,” says Kees van Son, supervisor of the project in Drenthe.
The young people settled in Oudemolen. “A lot of hands are just needed. That is why there is a recurring camp every year, in collaboration with Stichting Internationale Werkkampen from Utrecht. This is now the eighteenth time that we receive such a group and it is great to work with them every year.”
Get to know the Netherlands
The young people don’t know each other yet. This year they all come from European countries, including Spain, Italy and Portugal. In total there are 23 volunteers who are supervised by Van Son and his team. They are not only put to work, but also immersed in Dutch culture.
“We are going to walk with them, they visit camp Westerbork, cycle to work, eat pancakes and join host families in the area. That’s how we get the job done and we also give them a piece of Dutch culture.”
The volunteers started the project with a training, how do we work, how do we pay attention to each other and how do we keep it safe? “Last Friday they arrived in Drenthe and now the ice is broken. They also immediately became acquainted with the Dutch weather, big rain showers. Fortunately the coming week will get better.”
The young people will work in the Drentsche Aa National Park for the next two weeks. “Afterwards they made friends for life here.”