Clara & Blake

Travel information

We are currently

Activities we are interested in:

We're friends from a small environmentally focused college in Vermont who love games, hiking, and the outdoors!

Description

Hello all! We're close friends from a small, environmentally focused college in Vermont who are looking to spend some time this summer doing grounded, hands-on work that builds our knowledge and skills while supporting others in the projects and communities they love.

Clara (she/her):
I'm a creative person who loves to learn and grow. This summer, I will graduate with a bachelor's in Ecology, but some of my most formative learning experiences have been outside of my major. To me, Ecology is a philosophy of thought, which can be applied not only to nature, but also to the interrelations of people, ideas, and expressions. Over the years, I've extended this philosophy to teaching, facilitating, gardening, storytelling, and creation of all kinds.

I aim to serve my communities however I am most needed and to grow from every experience. For this reason, I am a dedicated and dependable worker who will never shy away from the unfamiliar. I also love to laugh, tell stupid jokes, and play games! What excites me most about Workaway is the opportunity to gain new perspectives and learn new skills. I am eager to pick up whatever you have to teach me and whatever stories you have to tell.

Blake (she/her):
Before coming to college, I worked in residential construction, got my hands dirty in many a garden, and spent a joyous year as an assistant Montessori teacher. Now, I'm three years into an ecology focused environmental studies degree and hope to do work in the field of restoration ecology upon graduating. Although I'm thoroughly enjoying my studies, I miss working with my hands, the earth, and community.

I'm hard working, passionate, and love a challenge! I'm excited for any and all opportunities for adventure, growth, and connection that workaway has to offer, but I'm especially excited for the opportunity to continue my exploration of natural building methods, as I hope to build my own natural home one day.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Chinese (Mandarin): Intermediate

More details about my language interests
Clara: I'm currently learning Mandarin, but my comprehension and vocabulary are still quite limited. I took Spanish through high school, but it's been a while. I also know a little bit of German from my Oma. I am very happy to help with English! I can probably answer more "why" questions about English than the average native speaker because I have a strong background in grammar.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

Being an elderly companion

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Teaching

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Art Projects

More details about your skills

Clara
Work Skills:
I'm an experienced home gardener, and I work summers on a tree nursery/orchard in Vermont (USA). I am a senior ecology student with extensive field experience in the North Woods and American Southwest. I have extensive tutoring, teaching, and coaching experience, as well as community organising and outreach. I also have a lifetime of experience doing yard work, cooking, and cleaning. I am a proficient mender and can improvise in a pinch.

Arts:
I'm a skilled visual artist, writer, singer, and amateur guitarist. Art is a huge part of my life, and I love to share it with others. Storytelling, in all its forms, is very important to me. Currently, I am writing my final thesis, using an ecological framework to explore the relationship between personal narrative, cosmology, and worldview -- how the story of the world, as we perceive it, affects our sense of place in the world.

Outdoors:
I know my way around tarps and shelters, fires, maps -- you name it. I've spent upwards of 3 months at a time backpacking, and would love to do more! Environmental stewardship is one of my top priorities.

Soft Skills:
I'm a strong communicator, facilitator, and mediator, and I find myself falling into these roles time and time again. I have a very strong work ethic. My love of learning excites me for every opportunity, and my creativity drives me to innovate. I put my best into everything I do, and I strive to do better.

Blake
Construction:
I have extensive experience in residential construction, ranging from conventional housing projects to the building of four sustainable, eco-friendly homes foundation to finish. The sustainable building techniques I am familiar with include working with straw bale insulation, applying earthen plaster to both interior and exterior walls, crafting tadelakt showers, and installing metal and reclaimed wood siding. Additionally, I am practiced at sanding and staining floors, laying tiles, pouring concrete, handling electrical wiring and plumbing, installing and patching drywall, painting, and executing trim and cabinet installations. My experience with and love of natural building methods comes from my time as a build intern at Community Rebuilds, a non-profit organization dedicated to constructing energy-efficient straw bale homes in Moab, UT. Before that position, I acquired my conventional construction skills through renovating and flipping a house alongside my dad, as well as through my involvement with Habitat for Humanity.

Gardening:
I've had the privilege of working in the soils of many gardens, including a family homestead in Alaska, an organic farm in Maine, and a food forest in New York. Now, I'm happily cultivating in my college's campus-wide garden. I have the most experience nurturing leafy greens, but have dabbled in a wide range of crops and hope to expand my horizons further and continue to grow my green thumb!

Animal Husbandry:
Animals have my whole heart and I care deeply about any and all work I do with them. I've aided in successfully raising and tending to various livestock, including chickens, rabbits, goats, and sheep. I've also cared for horses and cows to a lesser degree. I firmly believe that when you assume responsibility for another living being, you owe it to them to fulfill their physical, mental, and emotional wants and needs to the best of your ability. This principle guides me as I work to ensure that everyone entrusted to my care receives all the attention, consideration, and love I have to offer.

Childcare:
From a young age, I've been deeply committed to nurturing and caring for children. During my high school years, my mom and I opened our hearts and home to foster children, offering them a supportive and loving environment as their families worked towards stability. Years later, I worked as an assistant teacher at a Montessori school, where I guided the educational and emotional growth of kids in some of their most formative years (1-6). Since beginning college, I've not spent much time with kids and would be overjoyed to have their little laughs and big hearts back in my life!

Other:
I am comfortable operating tractors, ATVs, zero turn riding mowers, post hole
diggers, power saws, chainsaws, and log splitters. I also have experience in scientific research and sailing and I'm a certified SDI open water scuba diver.

Age

24 & 25

What else ...

We love games of all kinds (word, card, role, board — you name it, we play it!)
We also love sharing stories, music, laying in the grass, loving on animals, and just about everything outdoors!

Clara also likes climbing trees, swimming, creative writing, and playing guitar.

Blake enjoys reading (primarily fantasy), crafting, sitting still in nature, and keeping up with friends and family.

We can both be quite social and love hanging out, but at our core we're introverts and need to make some time for ourselves as well.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  Clara: Vegetarian (preferably, but I can be flexible) Blake: Gluten free and vegan (I have to be gluten free, but I can be flexible on vegan!)