Youth projects
The Bergwaldprojekt's youth projects enable young people not only to observe nature, but also to actively experience it. Through practical work in the forest, young people experience self-efficacy, team spirit and responsibility. The intensive experience in the mountain forest promotes physical fitness, emotional stability, social skills and a deeper understanding of the mountain forest ecosystem. Such experiences also boost self-confidence and lay the foundations for resilience, a sense of responsibility and key life skills in the long term.
Project weeks for school classes and youth groups
Out of the classroom, into the forest: in school classes or youth groups, young people actively participate in forestry activities, deepening their understanding of the mountain forest and strengthening group cohesion. The offer is aimed at upper school classes, grammar schools, apprentices and other youth groups. The Bergwaldprojekt works with a youth concept that provides the framework for the projects. The concept is available below in the downloads.
The project weeks take place on request from April to October and usually last from Monday to Friday. The locations are various mountain forest regions in Switzerland. Before each project week, the Bergwaldprojekt project leader visits the school and prepares the young people for the week with background knowledge and information in a lesson.
The Bergwaldprojekt organizes suitable, simple group accommodation. Where possible, projects with young people take place in Trin, where the Bergwaldprojekt has its own accommodation with the Trin Youth Hostel.
The Bergwaldprojekt's cooking staff provide wholesome meals. The food is seasonal, regional, organic and contains little meat. The group helps with the washing up and keeps the accommodation clean.
- Monday:
Arrival, introduction round, lunch and first work assignment in the forest, room check-in and dinner at 18:30. - Tuesday to Thursday:
Start of the day at 7:00 am, breakfast at 7:15 am. From 8:00 am, the young people work in the forest, supervised and fed by the Bergwaldprojekt, until at least 5:00 pm. One half-day is set aside for a forestry excursion. - Friday:
Final work in the forest, cleaning of tools and accommodation, final round and journey home.
During the day, the young people are supervised and guided by the Bergwaldprojekt project and group leaders. Teaching and accompanying staff are responsible for supervision in the evening. Bergwaldprojekt employees are trained in dealing with young people and adhere to the code of conduct for the prevention of boundary violations.
Photographs are taken during the assignment, which can be used in our publications. The teachers inform the participants about this and inform the project management if someone does not agree. Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
Basic equipment includes warm clothing suitable for the mountain weather with a spare for rainy days, high mountain boots with good tread soles, work gloves, rain protection, sun protection, day pack and water bottle. Sleeping bags are not permitted in Trin Youth Hostel (bed linen is available); for other accommodation, please refer to the information sheet sent to teachers
A guide price of CHF 300.00 - 330.00 per person is charged for organization, meals, accommodation, tools and project personnel.