Language: English, Russian is welcome
Location: Ladoga is one of the biggest fresh water lake in Europe. It is situated in the Republic of Karelia in the north-west of Russia. The islands of the lake have unique vegetation. It is a home for many rare species of animals and birds.
The Ladoga’s skerries suffer from forest fires in summer time. It is great problem, because it takes several hundred years for a burnt island to recover fully from fire.
We welcome anyone who would like to make a difference in the situation with forest fires on Ladoga and at the same time have a holiday in one of the most beautiful places in the Republic of Karelia.
The camp is based on the island Pieni-Hepposaari. It is organized by the Voluntary Forest Firefighters Society which yearly sets up a camp on the shore of lake Ladoga and takes care of the islands and forest around
Work: Normally there are 5-20 Russian volunteers in the camp but the number changes all the time. There are no any fixed groups. Camp commander puts together teams depending on the task and general situation.
There is large variety of tasks:
- Detecting and putting out fires on National Park land;
- Monitoring the land from motor and sailing boats.
- Monitoring the land through binoculars from various islands.
- Looking after islands (clearing away rubbish; setting up anti-fires sings)
- Running the camp (housekeeping tasks; help with meals preparation)
Working hours: 3-8 hours/day, however it can vary depending on current tasks and number of people. It is important to keep in mind that the main goal of this camp is to detect and extinguish forest fires - it is a priority task and the rest of work, day routines and discipline are built around it.
Accommodations: There are tents for 2-4 people in the camp. Please, bring your own mat and sleeping bag and a tent if you have one. Laundry may be done in the lake. The food is prepared for the whole participants on campfire or on gas stove. The camp is based on an island in the distance from civilization. Many participants of the camp are vegetarians so the main dishes are cooked without meat (and most likely without other non-vegetarian products). There are meat and other non-vegetarian products in the camp that may be added to food individually.
Free time activities: You may enjoy swimming in Ladoga - the water is very clean but cold. In the evenings all team gather for chatting, playing guitar, games or just lying on the shore of the lake gazing at the stars. Many people come to the camp for short periods so there are always new people to meet.
Participants may go to the smaller camp in the other island for watching seals, rare birds and fishing.
Normally participants go to a town only to get more food or petrol, but sometimes it is possible to arrange a trip to Karelia – 11th century fortress based near the town of Priozersk.
The trainings and lectures in sailing, driving motor boats, putting out fires, orienteering, first aid and tying knots will be organized during the camp time.
Important: In the hot time there might be a lot of fires and most of the participants may not be on for evening recreational activities in the camp.
Requirements: Motivation form is required.
For this project we welcome volunteers with good health, outdoor camping experience; either they should be ready to possible difficulties of such life (food, personal hygiene, weather); it’s better to have some knowledge of Russian language or to be ready to learn it right in the camp J
The relations in the camp are built on the base of friendliness and good will, but there are some rules for volunteers (as Russian volunteers as foreign ones). For keeping discipline in the camp volunteer should to comply the requests of the leader of the firefighters camp. The alcohol in the camp is strictly forbidden! Also no weapon or other things forbidden by law. Volunteers should inform their camp-leader or the leader of firefighters camp about any problems with their health. The ignoring of these rules may cause the really dangerous consequences.
Transportation The nearest terminal is in Saint-Petersburg; the meeting point will be in Saint-Petersburg in the morning of 4th August. Then together with a group you will go by train to the boat station (two hours), then by boat to the camp.