Laura Haverkamp

The Jugendbauhütten’s Heritage Rescue Camps have their origins in the successful Flood Relief Camps, which, following the catastrophic flooding in the Ahr Valley, mobilised volunteers and former FSJ participants in heritage conservation to preserve endangered architectural and cultural monuments. This approach gave rise to a new format that combines voluntary work, learning a trade and heritage conservation. In 2026, the Heritage Rescue Camps took place in Helmstedt for the first time. This talk presents the history of the project’s origins, provides insights into the practical work and experiences on site, and demonstrates how young people can be inspired to care for the value and future of our cultural heritage through active participation.