Frequently Asked Questions

Must I be skilled to work on a heritage site?
No particular skills are required for participating in a heritage site work camp. A technical advisor will be there to teach you what you need to know and share his or her skills and knowledge.

Must I speak French to register for a heritage work camp?
French is not required, although it is useful and can make communication easier between the volunteers and the leaders and supervisors (English is also very useful!). But the most important condition for taking part is a strong motivation to come and share this unique experience.
Only you can therefore decide if you need to speak French before coming!

Do I need to be physically fit to work on a heritage site?
Because of the specific nature of the work, you must be in good health to take part in a work camp, but girls and boys, men and women, young and old can all find a suitable role to play. Any particular difficulty is mentioned in the brochure (work on scaffoldings, required fitness conditions, lack of facilities or basic accommodation, etc.)

Can a group register?
We do not register large pre-formed groups. Registrations are meant to be individual because one of the goals of these camps is to gather people from a wide variety of cultures and origins around a given project. However, if you want to share the experience with 2 or 3 friends or acquaintances, there should be no problem fitting you into the same camp, as long as there are available spaces, of course!

Can couples register for the camps?
Yes, of course. We regularly welcome couples to our work sites. Contact us for information about accommodation in the camp you have chosen.

Is there an age-limit for registering?
For the youth camps, the age requirement is to be 16 or 17 during the camp.
For adult camps, you must be 18 years old by the starting day of the camp. There is no upper age limit.
Participants vary greatly. Most of those who register are young people (18-25), often students, but our camps are open to anybody who cares about national or regional heritage, to students, professionals, job-seekers and retired people (these last three categories account for 20 to 30 % of the registrations we receive, depending on the time of year and on the nature of the camp).

Can I register for an adult camp although I am not quite 18 years old?
No. The APARE cannot accept under eighteens. In France, the conditions for participating in an adult camp (18 years or over on the first day of the camp) are very different from the conditions for participating in a youth camp (16-17 years old). These difference affect the legal responsibility of the supervisors and the organisers. Our youth camps are accredited by the ministry of Youth and Sport and we always comply with the relevant legislation.

Can I register for a youth camp if I have “just” had my 18th birthday?
No, for the same reasons. In France, the conditions for participating in an adult camp (18 years or over on the first day of the camp) are very different from the conditions for participating in a youth camp (16-17 years old). These difference affect the legal responsibility of the supervisors and the organisers. Our youth camps are approved by the ministry of Youth and Sport and we always comply with the relevant legislation.

What is included in the registration price?
The APARE provides all accommodation, food and leisure activities that are planned in the context of the work camp, as well as any travelling that may be needed for these activities (either in a van provided by the organisers or in your own vehicle with costs reimbursed at 0.23 €uros per kilometre).
The APARE does not take responsibility for your transport to and from the camp or for your personal purchases (souvenirs, snacks, etc.). You are also responsible for your health expenses (visits to the doctor if necessary, medical purchases, etc.) that are not covered by the civil liability insurance of the APARE. (cf. What is covered by the civil liability insurance of the APARE?).

Should I bring spending money?
You should bring pocket money for small personal purchases and health expenses (visits to the doctor if necessary, medical purchases, etc.) that are not covered by the civil liability insurance of the APARE. (cf. What is covered by the civil liability insurance of the APARE?). The APARE looks after your accommodation, food, leisure activities organised in the context of the work camp as well as any transportation required in order to carry out these activities.

Where will we be staying?
Local organisers provide the accommodation. It is usually very simple, if not basic. In the best cases, a public hostel is used, but generally, you will be lodged in a school, in tents on a sports field, a campsite or a public piece of land (in these last two instances, a dormitory tent is usually used).
We will try to provide information about accommodation conditions in each of the camps described in the brochure. However, sometimes the place of accommodation is only announced quite late and can occasionally change at the last minute.

What should I bring?
Unless otherwise indicated, you should always bring:
A warm sleeping bag, personal items for washing and hygiene (towels, soap, etc.), work clothing and safety footwear (at the very least solid shoes to protect your feet from falling rocks).
Also important : a hat or cap, sun shield protection cream, swimming costume, warm clothing (sometimes the evenings and the nights can be very cold!) and rain gear.
Could be useful : a lamp or torch, a water bottle, a small rucksack, and musical instruments!
You will be able to wash clothes during the camp (either by hand in the accommodation provided or in a laundrette if you are located near a big city).
Also bring some pocket money (cf. the question relating to spending money) and your identification documents (identity card, social security card, medical insurance information, etc.), but do not bring valuables.

What is included in the civil liability insurance?
All participants are covered by a civil liability insurance during the work camp. This insurance covers injury sustained in the course of the work being carried out or of leisure activities that are organised by the APARE. No other medical expenses are covered.
Volunteers from European Community countries are required to obtain an E111 form prior to the camp.

Can the APARE validate the camp as practical work experience or training?
In the course of school or university studies, participation in a heritage site work camp can be validated as practical training or work experience. Consult us for terms.
In the context of BAFA youth leadership training, it may be possible to take part in the supervision of a youth camp for teens (16 and 17 year olds). Consult us for information.