Help out at our community in Utah, United States

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    South of Spanish Fork, Utah, in a semi rural environment, our community occupies 15 acres (5.85 hectares) upon which sit a gorgeous temple, a 6,000 sq. foot residential facility with comfortable double rooms, two outdoor stages, a large covered pavilion, and amenities for parrots, peacocks, llamas and 3 small cows.

    There is a 200,000 gallon lake with waterfall from which we gravity feed one acre under cultivation. The acreage produces chemical free tomatoes, eggplants, varieties of chilis, squash, melons, corn, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes and flowers for worship.

    We sponsor lots of festivals and twice or thrice yearly yoga retreats. March of 2021 we hosted a Holi festival which attracted 25,000 attendees over a 2 day period. It was much colder in 2023, yet 6,500 attended.

    We teach yoga four days a week and have classes on the Bhagavad Gita 6 pm as well as daily kirtans. These programs are optional for the guests, though the more they attend, the more they will be informed about the 5,000 year old spiritual culture and practices of "Bhakti Yoga".

    The only MANDATORY program occurs every Sunday 5 pm - 6 pm when there is an open house with kirtan, vegetarian feast, and spiritual discourse illustrated by power point presentation. This is an extremely 'seeker friendly' weekly event and guests should attend. As of May 2020 there have been 750,000 downloads of the Itunes Podcasts. Additionally, Jai, who leads the chanting most Sundays, is a world class kirtan leader. We ask that guests arrive punctually.

    There are a gift store on the property and salad bar with hot buffet open (11 am - 7 pm) 7 days a week. VEGAN FRIENDLY. We do a lot of cooking for those interested to learn. Volunteers who want to cook a vegetarian specialty in quantity for the buffet are welcome to use the kitchen from 8 am - 10 am. W#e can purchase in advance any special ingredients they may need.

    Wireless internet everywhere.

    We could accommodate up to 12 single adults and couples FOR A MINIMUM STAY OF 14 DAYS. There is no maximum time to stay & in fact the longer the better, providing the chemistry is right. Unmarried couples stay in another building than the main ashram but the rooms are nice. We are set up mainly for singles and couples.

    We expect 5 hours of diligent work 5 days a week in exchange for room and board. Each morning there is a daily breakfast/organizational meeting at 8:00 am. Volunteers work from 8 am until 1 pm, when there is a six course buffet lunch with salad bar. We do not support volunteers getting part time jobs in the area while living and working on the farm. Medical or health insurance is a plus in the unlikely event of an accident.

    Local sights are Sundance Resort, Bridal Veil Falls, the Alpine Loop, hiking trails in Hobble Creek, Diamond Fork Hot Springs, Provo Canyon etc.

    We are vegetarian and allow no meat, drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes on the property. If you are looking to break a smoking, drug, or alcohol habit by sojourning here, know up front you will simply be a disturbance in the community. We do not take caffeinated tea or coffee. We prefer that visitors go off site for consumption of these beverages, and that they not consume them later in the day, which keeps them up late at night, thus disturbing those who are early risers.

    There are times of incredible peacefulness and relaxation, and other times, especially around festivals, when it can get intense. Ours is a practical path of bhakti (devotion), keeping God in the center of our activities. Sometimes that lends itself to peacefulness, introspection, and an educational atmosphere. Other times there is more emphasis on getting things done in a certain time frame. Sometimes we are absorbed in the gardening and sustainability and other times we throw ourselves into a special event.

    Guests are requested to respect the spiritual atmosphere of peacefulness and self control, which can be disrupted by immodest dress, public groping (friendly hugs fine), and late night loudness. We like to know as much about you as possible to ensure your stay here will be a comfortable and rewarding one. Please keep your profile full and up to date and mention where else you may have woofed or done help exchange.

    Outside work March thru November, and in winter more limited outdoor work, but lots to do indoors with the buffet and gift store.

    The closest major airport is Salt Lake City (65 miles away) & the closest bus and train stations are in Provo, 6 miles away & an easy pick up. There is an airport in Provo serviced by Frontier Air Lines. We pick up from Provo bus, train station, or Provo airport during the day only. Schedule flights and driving to arrive in daylight as we are hard to find after dark. If you come by air to Salt Lake City we suggest staying one or two days at the SLC Center & getting a ride down to Spanish Fork. We do not pick up or drop off to and from the SLC airport, but, as noted above, the public transport is very easy.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We follow the bhakti tradition and have many resources to deepen one's understanding. We offer yoga classes 4 times a week, lectures on the Srimad Bhagavatam 5 times a week, opportunities to learn Indian cooking, and kirtans which use musical talents for spiritual upliftment. Volunteers will also help take care of and train our pack of more than 20 llamas, who get rented out for hiking trips and entertain the more than 50,000 tourists visiting the temple every year.

  • Help

    Help

    There is a 200,000 gallon lake with waterfall from which we gravity feed one acre under cultivation. The acreage produces chemical free tomatoes, eggplants, varieties of chilis, squash, melons, corn, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes and flowers for worship.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent
    Nepali: Fluent
    French: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We can accommodate up to 12 single adults or 6 couples FOR A MINIMUM STAY OF 2 WEEKS. All of our rooms are furnished with twin-size beds with bedding, closets/dressers, and chairs. Our rooms also offer both heating/cooling depending on the season. All volunteers share 2 bathrooms, a kitchen fully-stocked with cookware and kitchenware, and a common living area. The second floor of our temple is also available for practicing yoga and practicing musical instruments. Volunteers are responsible for their own food outside of the vegetarian buffet and laundry.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Utah Valley has lots to recommend it: hiking, rock climbing, swimming, skiing, trampoline park, etc.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have reliable Wifi and volunteers are free after 1 pm daily to do online work or studies.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We don't have hook-ups, but volunteers in RVs are welcome.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We cannot accept volunteers with pets.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 224889171482

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