Experience off-grid living at our farmstead nestled in the Chilliwack River Valley, BC, Canada
Last activity
: 1 May 2025
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Usually responds within 2 days
Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 946117629241
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Feedback (15)
Left by host for Workawayer (Adéla & Ondřej)
Ondrej stayed with us for six weeks at a time when we usually don't accept workaway guests, due to the seasonal nature of ongoing projects. We made an exception, and we are glad we did! Ondrej slipped into the rhythms of our family life. In terms of his skillset, he undertook firewood cutting and splitting, and helped alongside us to learn how to
… read more do drywall hanging/mudding, framing up storage shelves, cutting and assembling cupboards from whole plywood sheets. He did the early season weeding of the vegetable garden, helping us get a jump start on the growing season. He is a capable helper and quick learner. He enjoyed discovering the area with us. We wish him all the best!
Left by Workawayer (Adéla & Ondřej) for host
After arriving, I was greeted with open arms and treated like one of the family, which made me feel incredibly welcomed. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Not only did I learn a plethora of new things, but I also had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers, each more delightful than the last. Stephan and Crystal are exceptional
… read more individuals; I couldn't have imagined a better experience with them. Being in their company felt like being in paradise.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Willi)
Willi was a delight to have with us. It was apparent that he was comfortable with tools, and had a good eye for what needed doing, even if he had never done the specific construction jobs we were working on during his stay. But as important as the range of skills he learned so quickly (framing, concrete prep and placing, general labour stuff) was
… read more his pleasant demeanor. He blended well with our extended gaggle of family and friends. He has a great sense of humour, a genuine interest in learning about the past and present of this place we call Canada, and an easy-going sense of adventure. I know we were just a short interim stop on a longer journey through BC, but Willi is always welcome at our home!
Left by Workawayer (Willi) for host
I am really glad and happy that I had the chance to stay with Stephan and Cristal.
I stayed for 2 weeks and the time just flew by in a second because it was just so much fun.
The work with Stephan was very good, he taught me a lot of new stuff and explained a lot of things that I didn't know yet from German construction work.
I got to work a lot
… read more with wood, building shelfs for the tractor shed, framing for walls,windows and doors at the wood workshop and pouring concrete. I never done these things before because I am working with pipes usually hehe but it was fun and very instructive for me.
The property itself is just awesome and beautiful. I felt really welcome from the first moment on and I enjoyed every second there whether it was working with Stephan, Hiking and exploring with Cristal or hanging out with the family and their friends.
I had a lot of cultural exchange and they showed me many things around the area and also gave me insight in indigenous history, which I was really interested in.
I could keep going but I want to come to an end and I will say that my time there was a 10/10.
I would go back anytime without a doubt and I know I would have a home away from home there.
Thank you for everything!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Blandine & Robin) for host
This place is an incredible setting for workawayers who love nature and good beer. We enjoyed working with Stephan who's respectfull, good at explaning and really want us to learn new skills. With Cristal they offered us a very good quality of stay and were very inclusive with their friends and family. They also took time to make us discover the
… read more surrondings as Chilliwack cultural events, local breweries or good hikes. We surely had good fun and good time in one of the most beautiful house we saw in Canada.
Thanks again Cristal and Stephan, we hope to see you soon in France !You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Photos
Rainbow over le palais de Cristal
Jasmine wishing she could fly back home from Mount Thurston.
An aerial view of the house
Autumn moon rise over Mount Slesse.
Rainbow over the greenhouse.
Summertime al fresco dining
Local food and wine with Mount Tamahi
Farm fresh eggs provided by these girls
Firing up the pizza oven.
Wintertime view of Church Mountain from the hot tub.
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by host for Workawayer (Adéla & Ondřej)
Ondrej stayed with us for six weeks at a time when we usually don't accept workaway guests, due to the seasonal nature of ongoing projects. We made an exception, and we are glad we did! Ondrej slipped into the rhythms of our family life. In terms of his skillset, he undertook firewood cutting and splitting, and helped alongside us to learn how to
… read more do drywall hanging/mudding, framing up storage shelves, cutting and assembling cupboards from whole plywood sheets. He did the early season weeding of the vegetable garden, helping us get a jump start on the growing season. He is a capable helper and quick learner. He enjoyed discovering the area with us. We wish him all the best!
Left by Workawayer (Adéla & Ondřej) for host
After arriving, I was greeted with open arms and treated like one of the family, which made me feel incredibly welcomed. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Not only did I learn a plethora of new things, but I also had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers, each more delightful than the last. Stephan and Crystal are exceptional
… read more individuals; I couldn't have imagined a better experience with them. Being in their company felt like being in paradise.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Willi)
Willi was a delight to have with us. It was apparent that he was comfortable with tools, and had a good eye for what needed doing, even if he had never done the specific construction jobs we were working on during his stay. But as important as the range of skills he learned so quickly (framing, concrete prep and placing, general labour stuff) was
… read more his pleasant demeanor. He blended well with our extended gaggle of family and friends. He has a great sense of humour, a genuine interest in learning about the past and present of this place we call Canada, and an easy-going sense of adventure. I know we were just a short interim stop on a longer journey through BC, but Willi is always welcome at our home!
Left by Workawayer (Willi) for host
I am really glad and happy that I had the chance to stay with Stephan and Cristal.
I stayed for 2 weeks and the time just flew by in a second because it was just so much fun.
The work with Stephan was very good, he taught me a lot of new stuff and explained a lot of things that I didn't know yet from German construction work.
I got to work a lot
… read more with wood, building shelfs for the tractor shed, framing for walls,windows and doors at the wood workshop and pouring concrete. I never done these things before because I am working with pipes usually hehe but it was fun and very instructive for me.
The property itself is just awesome and beautiful. I felt really welcome from the first moment on and I enjoyed every second there whether it was working with Stephan, Hiking and exploring with Cristal or hanging out with the family and their friends.
I had a lot of cultural exchange and they showed me many things around the area and also gave me insight in indigenous history, which I was really interested in.
I could keep going but I want to come to an end and I will say that my time there was a 10/10.
I would go back anytime without a doubt and I know I would have a home away from home there.
Thank you for everything!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Blandine & Robin) for host
This place is an incredible setting for workawayers who love nature and good beer. We enjoyed working with Stephan who's respectfull, good at explaning and really want us to learn new skills. With Cristal they offered us a very good quality of stay and were very inclusive with their friends and family. They also took time to make us discover the
… read more surrondings as Chilliwack cultural events, local breweries or good hikes. We surely had good fun and good time in one of the most beautiful house we saw in Canada.
Thanks again Cristal and Stephan, we hope to see you soon in France !You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Jan) for host
Incredible.
That’s how I would describe my stay with Stephan and Cristal and the family for the past 2 months. Everyone you meet is super nice and you will feel welcomed from the first minute on.
The incredible view, stunning nature and of course the hot tub will make you miss the place when you are gone and It will never get boring as there is
… read more always something to do, like relaxing at the pond or hiking onto Elk. You are close to many beautiful hikes and/or lakes so you can explore BC nature to the fullest.
I’ve learned many new skills working here, which are really useful for the future. Most mentionable for me is baking, which I’ve never expected to be as much fun as it was (Even if it didn’t turn out perfect).
You probably notice reading the reviews that this workaway is not only about work but more about having fun together and becoming friends.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and I hope I will see you again!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
Incredible stay with this great family. God bless y'all, Aman!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Zach) for host
I spent 6 weeks with Stephan and Cristal and their wonderful family as my first Workaway experience - it was awesome! There is an unlimited amount of amazing natural attractions to see, and we did quite a few of them - I climbed up nearby Elk mountain 4 times because I just couldn’t get enough of the stunning view. Even the view from the backyard
… read more of the two mountains is something from a story book. The food was high quality and plentiful. I worked mostly outside with Stephan. The work is highly variable and can be physically demanding, but Stephan always made sure I was comfortable with what I was doing and supported me along the way. Everyone I met during my stay had great positive energy. I highly recommend this host for anyone who wants to explore the BC wilderness, meet kind and interesting people, and have a rich personal experience. Thank you Stephan, Cristal, Anne, Carl, Emily, John, Oma and Opa, David, Barbara, and everyone else I connected with!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Alex & Rachel)
Rachel and Alex stayed with us for five weeks just as the Covid-19 pandemic was shutting down our province and changing people’s lives. When they joined us, we became a household of two workaway couples and our family. We developed new routines to adapt to the “new normal” and try to maintain a positive and active social bubble. When we weren’t
… read more working around the farmstead, or they weren’t fine-tuning their van renovation, we spent a lot of time just hanging out, enjoying conversation in the hot tub, campfires, barbecues, walks around the forest trails, and a friendly yet competitive games tournament featuring boys against girls. Tournament rules forbid me from gloating about which team won… (go, guys, go!) Alex and Rachel brought their good humour and positive attitude to the jobs at hand, be it fencing, gardening, household organization, or getting the pig run ready for this year’s arrivals. Alex’s experience as a bartender and barista added joy to morning coffees and afternoon cocktails, while Rachel experimented with sourdough baking (you should have seen how perfect her very first-ever loaf turned out!).
Together with another workaway couple and me, Rachel and Alex installed a 600 foot long fence line. They mastered chainsaws, brush cutters, log splitters, and tractor augers as they cleared the fence line and installed the posts. It was hard work, but their positive attitude and quick understanding resulted in a straight and strong fence. They also took a lead in insulating our wood-fired oven with a perlite cement mix, which allowed for a much faster firing and better heat retention on our next pizza night!
Alex and Rachel, we wish you all the best on your Canadian adventure!
Left by Workawayer (Alex & Rachel) for host
This was our first WorkAway experience and we really can’t imagine anything topping it!
Stephan and Cristal are awesome hosts, the whole family are so generous, warm and have the best sense of humour.
We felt like part of the family from day one - we loved eating lunch and dinner together everyday and hanging out in the evenings and weekends,
… read more playing games or going on hikes (Cristal knows some lovely trails in the area).
This family really live the spirit of WorkAway - the work was always really fun and varied, and rather than just putting us to boring manual work, they are keen for you to actually learn and come away with new skills! Stephan is an encyclopaedia of knowledge on all things off-grid, farm and carpentry, and is the best teacher you could ask for - super patient, encouraging and really fun to work with. He taught us how to drive the tractor, use a chainsaw, put in fence posts, insulate their pizza oven, the list goes on!
It doesn’t feel like having a ‘boss’ here, more like extended family.
They were also kind enough to let us use any of their tools to renovate our campervan and we are so grateful for all of Stephan’s advice! It felt like nothing was ever too much trouble.
The food they made was always incredible, Cristal is more than happy to share her recipes and their daughter Emily taught us how to make sourdough bread!
Their home is beautiful and in an incredible location, surrounded by mountains- just sitting in the garden at the end of the day with Jasmine and Salsa, the farm dog and cat, is enough to fill up your soul.
And on the rainy days there’s always a craft beer in the hot tub to enjoy!
Our 5 weeks here were unforgettable- thank you to the whole Biela family, we can’t wait to come back for a visit!
Rachel and AlexYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Louise & Elliott)
Louise and Elliott stayed with us for two months during the strange, early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. We made the best of the “new normal” by forming a unique and positive social bubble where life seemed more or less as it always had. Ell and Lou contributed greatly to the ongoing farm development projects, to daily tasks around the farmstead,
… read more and to the social life in the household. Elliott brought his expertise with wells, pumps, and controls to a timely failure of our deep well pump. For two days we mucked about with troubleshooting, pulling pipe and the old pump, reinstalling the new system, and troubleshooting the settings on the pump controller. Thanks, Elliott – your knowledge made a daunting task feel less overwhelming. Louise shared her newfound skills as a sourdough baker with us, and left her precious sour, named Sammy, with us. Louise, Sammy is doing well and giving us delicious loaves a week: thanks for that!
Together with another workaway couple and me, Louise and Elliott completed a 600 foot long fence line. They mastered chainsaws, brush cutters, log splitters, and tractor augers as they cleared the fence line, installed the posts, and strung the fencing wire. It was hard work, but their positive attitude and critical eye resulted in a straight and strong fence.
Evenings and weekends usually involved too much beer, good conversation in the hot tub, campfires, barbecues, and general old-fashioned “hanging out”. While we weren’t able to visit many of the beautiful sights in the area, we were able to enjoy the scenery of the Chilliwack River Valley.
Elliott and Louise, we wish you all the best on your Canadian adventure!
Left by Workawayer (Louise & Elliott) for host
We are forever thankful to Stephan and Cristal for welcoming us into their home and family.
We had an absolutely wonderful time and would be back in a heart beat! The work was varied and fun. - we had no prior experience, however Stephan took the time to teach us how to drive a tractor, operate a chainsaw, and use all different tools/equipment
… read more around the farm. Stephan and Cristal are great teachers and it was great working along side them.
Stephan's knowledge is honestly amazing, he explains everything so you are able to understand and complete tasks. He helped us transform our van into somewhere we can call 'home', and honestly couldn't have done it without him.
Know that if you stay here you will have your own Canadian family! It was even more special being with them during the craziness that is happening in this world right now.
It was honestly a beautiful stay, with the most amazing family.
Thank you!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Mattis & Seunghyun)
Jenny and Mattis arrived just in time for the frenzy of party preparations for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Out with structure and in with chaos! Around the homestead, their help was invaluable in keeping up with rampant lawn and garden growth, including weeding the vegetable plot; they took care of the pigs and chickens; Mattis brush cut
… read more tall grass in the orchard while Jenny introduced us to Korean cuisine. For about a week, their focus was on decorations, food prep, set up and take down for a party with 75 or so people.
Key characteristics were their positive and enthusiastic approach to new things, their ability to learn unfamiliar skills quickly, and their good fit with family life. Thanks again for staying with us!
Left by Workawayer (Mattis & Seunghyun) for host
We stayed for almost a month with Crystal, Stepan, Sophia, Carl and Anne and it was one of the best parts of our three month in Canada! Crystal and Stephan were always open, really friendly, very generous and patient hosts. There was no day without a super delicious dinner and the work was always fun and flexible, it felt every day as if we don't
… read more work enough for what we got offered. This place is really off-grid and a place we have never seen before somewhere in the world, we were always impressed when we looked out of the window in the morning.
Thank you for everything we experienced, like the Othello tunnels, waterfalls and the concert at Tractorgrease.
We will never forget you lovely guys and our time in Chilliwack.
All the best,
Jenny and Mattis :)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Wen Yi)
Wen Yi is super-chill and laid-back on the one hand and extremely precise and meticulous on the other. In his short stay with us, he tried his hand at many tasks, and did well at all of them. He is very understated and low-key ("sure, I think I can do that..." or "... shouldn't be a problem...") and then goes and does it with aplomb. He spent
… read more hours with the brushcutter, never complaining about the pollen or gas exhaust or noise (confession: I hate brushcutting!). His woodworking skills helped him perfect the art of making mortises in fence posts.
Wen Yi has a fascinating background and is an engaging conversationalist. We learned a lot about the diversity of cultures that make Singapore a uniquely cosmopolitan city-state, the impact of colonialism on educational systems, the slow rise of craft beer in Asia, current events, cuisine, and the like. When we hosted a party for 40-odd people, Wen Yi was in the thick of celebrations, making connections with many different guests.
Given the chance to host Wen Yi, we'd recommend you jump at the opportunity!
Left by Workawayer (Wen Yi) for host
What can I say. I had an incredible time with the Biela's. Stephan and Cristal are always keen to share their knowledge of the region and I felt welcomed like family from day 1. They want to share their way of life and I am just grateful to be part of it for 2 weeks. Being home, you will immediately notice Mt church and Mt Mcguire blocking your
… read more view (haha), and nothing quite beats sitting outside and sipping craft beer after a day's work. If you like beer, you re in for a treat. Stephan is knowledgeable about beer and will often offer you a beer or two to distract you from work. Or you can take a stroll to the pond and enjoy the peace and tranquility there. Or you can jump into the hot tub at night with the family or anytime in the day. There are many things to explore around the house, it is a big place.
I also spent time with emilie, sophia, carl and anne, who showed me around when they could. I admire how stephan and cristal raise their children with the right values as well as the freedom for them to do their own things. I met Rick and Ute, Stephan's parents who lived not far away, who welcomed me into their home with open arms and we had a nice afternoon with coffee and ice cream. Cecilia, Cristal's mom who is visiting from India, kept me company when the rest of the family is out in the day. We will have dinner together at night and food is always good. It is home cooked, diverse, healthy, and made with love.
Work is not difficult and there is flexibility to customise it to your preference and skill set. I did some brush cutting, lawn mowing, fed the pigs, water the plants, did wood working to prepare the setting up of some fence posts and so on, nothing that I didnt like doing. Stephan is a good teacher and he gives clear instructions and demonstrations (maybe out of habit because he is a high school teacher as well) on what to do and it is hard to go wrong if you listen.
Dont be fooled by this off grid property. It has all the amenities of an urban home and more. I had an enriching experience and I recommend all my friends to come.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Lina & Florian)
Lina and Florian began their Canadian adventure by spending almost a month with us. Their positive attitude and ability to learn quickly made up for their initial lack of practical skills on the farmstead. They were eager to learn new things, and took to them readily. A related important quality was their ability to watch a certain task and then
… read more admit that it was beyond their comfort (and hence, safety) level. They perfected the art of laying out and chiseling mortises in cedar fence posts, but didn't like the idea of using a router freehand (smart decision, really!) Their help in the garden and yard during the spring flush contributed to a nice harvest. Florian and Lina also enjoyed the nature around us, biking to lakes, river-rafting wild rapids, hanging out over a beverage on our patio...
Their easy-going personalities made them a perfect fit for family life. Enjoy Canada, Lina and Florian!
Left by Workawayer (Lina & Florian) for host
We are really glad that we had the chance to spend almost one month at the farm. All members of the Biela family made our stay unforgettable - Thanks to all of you.
We have made nice trips in the area of Chilliwack like the hikes to the Lindeman Lake or to Elk Mountain. One weekend we went to the river rafting, which was a lot of fun!
On working
… read more days we usually did garden work such as watering the plants, weeding, planting new flowers, seeding and so on. Stephan teached us a lot about carpentry so that we were able to build the wood fence for the garden. We also fed the pigs and chickens.
In the evenings we enjoyed spending time together in the hot tub or playing games.
We couldn't hope for more and appreciated every day. If you have the chance to go there... do it!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathilde & Romain)
In their ten weeks with us, Mathilde and Romain experienced typical BC weather, ranging from -3 degrees to 30 degrees! They were positive and hardworking, and fit in well with our family life. Romain was meticulous in all jobs he tackled, and was handy with a wide range of power equipment, ranging from chainsaws, log splitters, tractors, table
… read more saws, pressure washers, and lots of electric and hand-operated construction tools. Mathilde was not shy to work alongside Romain in using this machinery. For the first time ever, we have next winter's firewood stacked and drying, thanks to these two great house guests! In addition to garden prep, pergola construction (and firewood, of course), they also took on painting jobs, house cleaning, and helping in the kitchen. They would see what was needed to be done, but would still check with us first on how to do it if it wasn't clear. Conversations in the hot tub or around the dinner table, often with a craft beer in hand, allowed us to share our cultural experiences with each other. Thanks!
Left by Workawayer (Mathilde & Romain) for host
We had the chance to spend more than two months with this family. This experience was really amazing. We really enjoyed working with Stephan and Cristal and by ourselves. About the work we did some painting (this red is beautiful!), some gardening, we learnt about making a pergola roof in wood, Romain cut some trees, we split it and stack it
… read more (thanks to the splitter!). Romain loved driving the tractor.
These months went so fast ! The times with the family were great, we felt so welcomed. We went to Vancouver a few times to discover the micro breweries. We visited the area of Chilliwack, it's really beautiful, full of hikes, lakes, rivers... We LOVED the meals by Cristal and Stephan, and the pastries by Anne.
We will miss all of your family (thanks Jasmine who was my running buddy), your home, the view, the hot tub (Romain keeps telling me he wants to go...), the beers and cocktails and just relaxing in the yard... We improved a lot with our english thanks to your patience. We even had some moments in french, more with Sofia and Emilie.
This french meal with everyone was one of our best moment. We can't wait seeing you again and we will wait for Sofia to come to Nantes !You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Freya) for host
Ella and I were staying with Cristal in February and March. Our next place fell through but the whole Biela family welcomed us into their house for a little longer and we were so happy to be able to spend much time with them. Hiking, cleaning, baking, hot-tubbing, this family is up for anything! We helped with the spring cleaning of the whole
… read more house and went through every room to find treasures, such a satisfying task! Apart from that, we accompanied Cristal on errands or helped her out with things at home. We felt supported in everything we did while also having the freedom of going for walks or doing things independently. For us it felt like Cristal, Stephan and the kids are the perfect example of a workaway family, and they have given us lots of insights into Chilliwack life & Canadian winter. Thank you for all the little & big trips, the talks, the dinners and (drumming) evenings under the stars, and thank you Cristal for your time. We have loved our stay and if ever we're around in BC, we'll drop by for a visit!Left by host for Workawayer (Freya)
Freya and Ella stayed with us for a month and during that time they brought the Dutch and Latvian touch to spring cleaning our home. These two were initially supposed to be with us for two weeks only, but extended their stay with us after their next workaway placement fell through. The day after they arrived our mild BC spring-like winter changed
… read more to the coldest February ever seen in BC. In addition to a thorough spring cleaning, the girls were great at organizing, mending things, and loved to bake and helped a lot with cooking, keeping the wood stove going, and taking care of our laying hens. They got along well with our kids and we had some delightful conversations together. We also took advantage of the winter weather and were able to go on walks, hikes, snowshoe and toboggan, with regular hot tub visits after these activities. The girls had beautiful voices and their sense of humour was enjoyable. We all felt a bit empty after they left, but we wish them well in their travels and hope that they will come back again someday.
Left by host for Workawayer (Ella Anna)
Ella and Freya stayed with us for a month and during that time they brought the Latvian and Dutch touch to spring cleaning our home. These two were initially supposed to be with us for two weeks only, but extended their stay with us after their next workaway placement fell through. The day after they arrived our mild BC spring-like winter changed
… read more to the coldest February ever seen in BC. In addition to a thorough spring cleaning, the girls were great at organizing, mending things, and loved to bake and helped a lot with cooking, keeping the wood stove going, and taking care of our laying hens. They got along well with our kids and we had some delightful conversations together. We also took advantage of the winter weather and were able to go on walks, hikes, snowshoe and toboggan, with regular hot tub visits after these activities. The girls had beautiful voices and their sense of humour was enjoyable. We all felt a bit empty after they left, but we wish them well in their travels and hope that they will come back again someday.
Left by Workawayer (Gerrit & Chanell Axsel) for host
The family have been amazing and a cornerstone to our journey. They live on an amazing "off grid" property yet civilization is close enough that you can explore and get about! We spent 4-months with them and (6-weeks which was shared with another Workaway couple) and could not have hoped for a better experience. Stephan and Cristal embrace and
… read more respect the concept on which Workaway is built - helping travellers explore the world and other cultures in exchange for some work. We had amazing meals and conversations late into the night oftentimes combined with a cold beer or two.
We really enjoyed the work as well - being city dwellers we had great fun learning how to use a tractor/chainsaw in a safe environment. We also picked up some other useful skills like how to mix & pour concrete and how to put up a fence! If you like organic food you will like the free range eggs and fresh veggies from the greenhouse and veggie garden, which we helped plant - it was great to literally see (and eat) the fruit of your labor!
As hosts Stephan and Cristal were great in helping us explore the area - we went swimming in lakes and hiking on nearby trails, even took a few daytrips to nearby sites which really helped us make the most of the BC summer! We would recommend them as hosts for any workawayer who is considering exploring then beautiful Lower Mainland of BC.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Gerrit & Chanell Axsel)
During their extended stay with us, Chanell and Gerrit became like family to us. Cristal and I affectionately (and jokingly) call them our South African kids, even though the age difference would have made us teen parents indeed! Perhaps the most striking aspect of the workaway experience was their desire to learn new skills and their ability to
… read more master them quickly. By the time they left, both were accomplished tractor operators and had developed better fence post installation techniques than I possessed. Their contributions to Jade Pond Acres went far beyond their tenacious commitment to fencing the property line and doing all the other routine (and not so routine) tasks of life on a remote farmstead-in-the-rough. Sure, they learned to stamp concrete cobblestone pathways, bake sourdough bread from our own starter, prepare garden beds, harvest and process vegetables, and a myriad other things; they also shared their love of their culture and country through stories and food. Most of all food! Steaks over alder and maple embers, beer can chicken, delicious stews, all paired with the right beer or wine (beers and wines?!?!). Gerrit's love of people and conversation and Chanell's encouraging compassion are some of the qualities they contributed to our time together. We wish you all the best in Canada.
Left by host for Workawayer (Ondrej & Petra)
Petra and Ondra spent seven weeks with us this past summer. They fit perfectly into our family life and were amazing workers, regardless of the task. They learned how to stamp concrete pathways, they put their engineering skills to use measuring and tying rebar for a garage floor slab pour, they became accomplished post auger operators, and did
… read more the thankless job of installing fence posts. They helped out in a wide range of chores, from cooking and cleaning, gardening, building repairs, taking care of pigs and chickens, and many other jobs. Ondra's quiet facade masks a witty and wry outlook on life, while Petra's outgoing nature contributes to the easy ebb and flow of conversation. Both are great at taking initiative with various tasks, and more than once motivated us to push through a particularly challenging moment. Together, they taught us new card games, including cribbage. Thanks, Petra and Ondra, for all you did for us during your time in our family!
Left by Workawayer (Ondrej & Petra) for host
Our last workaway stay in Canada (4th in total) was at Biela’s family and we couldn’t wish for the better one. We spend 6 AMAZING weeks there. As we were only adults (I suppose Ann to be an adult too) in the house, it was like to be spending a summer holiday with a group of friends. We had a lot of fun in the afternoons and evenings together. For
… read more example we really liked the idea of cooking competition (and making cocktails competition) with a focus on different cultures.
We usually worked 3–4 hours in the morning. Sometimes we did ordinary work at the property (fencing, weeding, watering ...), other times we did more technical work (pouring concrete slabs, repairing a greenhouse …). Stephan always gave us clear instructions or he was working with us, so we knew what to do. The afternoons were free and we mostly spend them together with hosts and other workawayers. We went for trips together (Elk Mt., Othello tunnels …), went swimming in different lakes (Chilliwack, Cultus, Harrison …), played games, visited waterpark, went biking etc.
To sum up, we are very grateful for the opportunity to spend the summer holiday with this family. They really know that Workaway isn’t only about the work but mainly about a meeting new people, learning about different cultures and having a good time together. Thank you a lot Stephan, Crystal, Ann and Emily. We are looking forward to see you in Prague. And the last note, don’t go there if you are not willing to put on your weight because the food is AWESOME.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Join the team at our farm in Baldwinton, Western Saskatchewan, Canada
Join us at our forest grove close to the beach on Galiano island, in British Columbia, Canada
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Information for those planning to visit Canada
If you are NOT from Canada and planning to visit to volunteer, work or study you will need the correct visa. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country before travelling.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
