by Happy Children Happy Youth Camps
Organization Description:
Every year for the past 80 years, on Mount Patéras in Mandra, Attica, more than 80 volunteers, guided by their love for children, come together to create a small global village: the “Happy Children-Happy Youth” summer camp. The people involved in this initiative hold core principles, including the belief in the many talents of every individual, respect for democratic institutions, equality, freedom of speech and thought, and the absence of discrimination.
Every July, the camp welcomes 140 children (boys and girls) aged 6-13 who are in great need (children from difficult family and financial backgrounds, refugee and migrant children, children from institutions and care facilities). Admission is free, regardless of origin, nationality, religion, or gender. In our small multicultural community, the volunteers work passionately, lovingly, and tirelessly to not only meet the children’s needs for food and leisure in nature but also to organize and implement programs and empowering activities (theater, music, shadow puppetry, puppet shows, photography, painting, dancing, gardening, crafts, and experiments) aimed at their psychosocial support.
The organization does not employ any staff, and all activities and support work are carried out by volunteers who contribute their time, experience, and knowledge. During the camp period, group leaders, community leaders, technical staff, kitchen crew, and the administrative team collaborate daily with the primary goal of ensuring the children’s well-being and happiness.
Field of work:
Migration / Refugee, Other
Visit the organisation website
Activity details
Volunteering Activity Description:
-Tasks in the kitchen include help in the preparation of the meal (potatoes and onion peeling and cutting), preparing salads, washing the dishes and keeping the kitchen in good clean condition. The volunteers will coordinate with the kitchen volunteer team and the Chef. The working environment includes all tools to make the work more easy like a professional dishwasher.
-Working hours usually are 8.30am to 3.30pm (morning shift) or 5pm to 11pm (afternoon shift).
– Volunteers during their free time (after or before the 5-6 hours work in the kitchen daily), will be able to do anything they like (relax, activities as a team, activities with the children’s groups, sports together and with the Greek volunteers or children, activities with the rest of the international group and Greeks or whatever they might suggest)
-Volunteers are expected to stay at the camp on the mountain for the entire three-week period, as accommodation and all activities take place on-site
Thematic Area: Community
Prefecture: Attica | Location: Near Elefsina, Pateras mountain
Type of work: Field
Volunteer Duties:
• The kitchen operates with two shifts, one in the morning and one in the evening, to ensure smooth functioning.
• Each shift should have 5-6 people.
• Usually, each shift takes 5 to 6 hours. The rest of the day is free time.
• The shifts are being decided between the members of the international volunteers and their coordinator.
• Kitchen schedule:
◦ Morning shift:
▪ Breakfast preparation, kitchen cleaning and possible future meals preparation: 08.00 am to 09.30 am.
▪ Snack: 10.30 am
▪ Lunch preparation and kitchen cleaning: 12.45 pm to 15.45 pm.
◦ Evening shift:
▪ Snack and possible future meals preparation: 16.45 pm.
▪ Dinner preparation and kitchen cleaning: 19.45 pm to 22.15 pm.
• Cooking is not done by volunteers. Instead, the camp has a professional cook responsible for preparing the food.
◦ Main tasks:
▪ Meal preparation
• Cut bread.
Season: Summer
Start date: 04/07/2025 | End date: 30/07/2025
Hosting details: Other
3-4 weeks
Is this an individual or a group activity? Both
Number of volunteers: 12
Minimum age: 18 | Maximum age: No limit
Qualifications the volunteer should posses:
-English, Greek speakers 18-99 years old are welcome.
-No previous experience is required to participate in this workcamp! Just bring along with you an open mind, willingness to offer and an interest to learn.
-A strong interest in social and educational issues is expected. Remember, everybody at the camp must do all the necessary works. You will enjoy living in Nature with good friends.
Hosting Organization provides:
The camp provides free accommodation and meals for the entire three-week duration of the camp. Apart from that, we offer transportation to Elefsina or Athens, if needed.
Is this activity for volunteers with health problems such as allergies or phobias such as fear of heights be involved? Yes, there is no relative risk
Is this activity for volunteers with disabilities (visual, mobility impairment) or serious mental illnesses such as PTSD? No
Is there a participation fee? No
