The image depicts a serene lake scene at sunset, featuring a dock with a boat, a patio with an umbrella, and mountains in the background, all bathed in warm sunlight.
The image depicts a group of seals swimming in the water, with seagulls flying above them, creating a lively and dynamic scene.
The image depicts a compact kitchen with a white stove, blue countertops, and wooden cabinets, featuring various appliances and utensils, and a sink with a dish rack.
The image depicts a small wooden cabin with a porch and stairs, featuring a white door, surrounded by a wooden fence in a wooded area on a cloudy day.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table in a backyard, playing a board game on a sunny day. They are seated in yellow Adirondack chairs.
The image depicts a man and woman posing for a photo on a dock, with a serene body of water and a cloudy sky serving as the backdrop.
The image depicts a young deer standing in a grassy area, surrounded by ferns and other foliage, with a pile of debris in the background.
The image depicts a serene beach scene with a white kayak featuring red trim and yellow paddles, situated on a rocky shoreline with a tranquil body of water and distant mountains.
The image depicts a serene scene of a large white cruise ship sailing on a body of water, with a vibrant rainbow stretching from the sky to the water\'s surface.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table, engaged in a board game, with a warm and inviting atmosphere suggesting a social gathering or friendly competition.
The image depicts a group of people sitting on wooden steps outside a house, surrounded by trees and a patio area, with some individuals wearing casual clothing and others in athletic attire.
The image depicts a serene outdoor setting, featuring a table with tomatoes and flowers, a greenhouse, and a lush yard with trees and a fence, evoking a peaceful atmosphere.

Help with gardens and building projects and join in local activities on Gambier Island, Canada

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    11 Jun 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    93.3 %

    Usually responds within 3 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    34

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Badges (3)

Email verified
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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are Cam and Jeanne, two semi-retired professors of political studies and geography who have experienced years of insightful global travel with our two children and our students. Now, we welcome an opportunity to host visitors in our special part of the world: coastal British Columbia. For the past several years we have lived part-time on Gambier Island, not far from Vancouver; each year during the 'growing season' of March to November we have been slowly developing our oceanside property with food gardens and building a home. In the meantime, we live in a comfortable 'camp' of old cabins, and enjoy the wonderful nature of the island and its surroundings. Our vision is to create a sustainable lifestyle here, with a lower-carbon footprint and food produced in our own gardens, where we can offer a restful gathering place for friends and family. In our spare time we enjoy activities like kayaking, playing guitar, board games, and sharing stories.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Gambier Island is a beautiful rural oasis close to Vancouver but nestled in wilderness. The island is situated in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound, where whales, sea lions, and other marine animals are commonly seen. Travelers can explore the island’s hiking trails or use our kayaks to visit magical shoreline places. In warm months visitors can swim on the beach adjacent to our property.
    The small population of local residents form an active and welcoming community. Helpers staying at our place will be included in our circle of family and friends and social activities.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for help for two types of projects. One is creating vegetable and flower gardens. This includes a wide range of activities, such as building raised garden beds, planting everything from seeds to trees, building wood or wire fences to deer-proof the property, moving rocks into place to creatively sculpt the landscape, and removing invasive plants. Also, we need help with small construction projects, such as painting and building wooden decks. For folks with construction experience, we have larger projects too, such as rebuilding our pump house. In addition, we are slowly carrying out an artistic project of building walls out of glass bottles.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Beginner
    French: Beginner
    Slovak: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    Jeanne is trying hard to learn Spanish.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is a cozy sleeping cabin with queen size bed that comes with heat and internet access. Also available is a comfortable space in our unfinished house that has an IKEA bunk bed (queen & single) which is suitable for two friends to share. Your hosts live in a separate sleeping cabin, and together we share a fully equipped communal kitchen in a separate building. Laundry, flush toilet, and a hot outdoor shower are also located in separate small buildings and shared with us. We enjoy cooking and will provide daily dinners, plus offer a well-stocked kitchen for breakfasts and lunches to be prepared by helpers as they like. The island has no stores or restaurants, but some residents offer delicious locally produced foods at the weekly farmer's/artisan market, and groceries can easily be ordered and delivered to the island from the nearby town of Gibsons.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    On time off, helpers can explore the island or relax on the seashore or in our wood-fired hot tub. Also of interest are events at the island community center, such as live music or a pub night. Visitors may choose to hop off-island to check out nearby places. Gambier Island is only a 10 minute ferry ride from the Sunshine Coast mainland and a quick bus ride to the picturesque town of Gibsons. The Sunshine Coast offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking, and many places to shop. The city of Vancouver is also reasonably accessible, and can be visited on weekends via a 40 minute ride on BC Ferries and excellent bus connections.

  • 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

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 621555935794

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Photos

The image depicts a group of seals swimming in the water, with seagulls flying above them, creating a lively and dynamic scene.
The image depicts a compact kitchen with a white stove, blue countertops, and wooden cabinets, featuring various appliances and utensils, and a sink with a dish rack.
The image depicts a small wooden cabin with a porch and stairs, featuring a white door, surrounded by a wooden fence in a wooded area on a cloudy day.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table in a backyard, playing a board game on a sunny day. They are seated in yellow Adirondack chairs.
The image depicts a man and woman posing for a photo on a dock, with a serene body of water and a cloudy sky serving as the backdrop.
The image depicts a young deer standing in a grassy area, surrounded by ferns and other foliage, with a pile of debris in the background.
The image depicts a serene beach scene with a white kayak featuring red trim and yellow paddles, situated on a rocky shoreline with a tranquil body of water and distant mountains.
The image depicts a serene scene of a large white cruise ship sailing on a body of water, with a vibrant rainbow stretching from the sky to the water\'s surface.
 Show all photos
The image depicts a serene lake scene at sunset, featuring a dock with a boat, a patio with an umbrella, and mountains in the background, all bathed in warm sunlight.
The image depicts a group of five people gathered around a table, engaged in a board game, with a warm and inviting atmosphere suggesting a social gathering or friendly competition.
The image depicts a group of people sitting on wooden steps outside a house, surrounded by trees and a patio area, with some individuals wearing casual clothing and others in athletic attire.
The image depicts a serene outdoor setting, featuring a table with tomatoes and flowers, a greenhouse, and a lush yard with trees and a fence, evoking a peaceful atmosphere.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in CanadaHomestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in North AmericaHomestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in British ColumbiaFamily CanadaLast minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Canada

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