Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Feedback
12
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Our family ranch is situated close to the Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. We raise cattle (about 60) and Tennessee Walking horses (about 30) and offer as soon as weather permits trail rides on the ranch and into the National Park. We added 2 cabins onto our property and affiliated with Hostelling International Canada to add accommodation to our offer since 2015.
Our 1100 acres are spread out including rolling hills, woods and little lakes.
We, the owner Thomas and Ilse run the ranch with the help of son Ray (who still works full time elsewhere) and his wife Valerie. Thomas and Ray are certified guides with the Riding Mountain National Park, Ray and Valerie train as well our horses. Daughter Karina and family pitch in occasionally, living close by, and our 3 grandsons bring additional life to the outfit, when around.
We value nature, have a garden and love local products. In the summer months Ilse is also engaged with helping at the local community market. Work depends on the seasons, with summer and fall being the busiest one.
Over the past years we have had regularly volunteers during the summer months. Our origins lie in Germany, but we are proud Canadians since a long time. Languages spoken are German, French and English.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help around the house
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You love horseback riding or are interested to learn? There will be free and plenty opportunities for you.
Depending on the season, you can learn about gardening and harvesting and the ranch operation.
The area offers lot of historic sites, lot of lakes for fishing (gear can be borrowed, license has to be bought) and some for swimming. Summer events in the area consist of rodeos, outdoor live music events, fairs and potentially some powwows, as we do have a First Nation community close by.
The National Park with its town site Wasagaming is in the summer a hot spot for tourist activity (about 50 min away from us).
Become part of our family while here and meet guests from all over the world.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Helping with cleaning and other household chores and maintaining the yard will be the main area, where a volunteer would be appreciated.
As we have a large garden, gardening skills could come in very handy and might get you off the hook that way with cleaning for parts of the season.
There are a few building/renovation projects, which we would look at tackling with the right volunteer and there is probably always something around that needs a painting
Our day starts around 7:30 am with a usually leisurely breakfast. There are a few regular chores that need to be done each day..but the day to day activities differ and gets talked over at breakfast. We will make sure you have your days off (just not always on the weekend) and you are included in festivities, family activities and so on.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
You will have your own room (sometimes shared with a 2nd workawayer). Bathroom/Shower might be shared with other guests. Some rooms have internet access within, otherwise access is in the common area at the ranch house. Home cooked meals with the family as we will consider you part of our family during your stay.
What else ...
We are out in the country side (15 minutes drive from nearest town). There is usually one extra vehicle available which can be borrowed from May to November to discover the area – having a drivers license and your own vehicle would though be ideal to be more independent. We can arrange for a pick up from Winnipeg airport or Brandon Air Shuttle bus if no vehicle.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You have your own room with internet access.
Space for parking camper vans
space enough for any size of camper. Access to electricity can be provided
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
They are a really welcoming and easy going family and involve you in everything. - So if you have the opportunity to stay there, go for it!! The work didn't really feel like work - and you will have enough free time to explore the beautiful countryside.
Thomas took me along to a lot… read more
Best wishes!
Feedback
They are a really welcoming and easy going family and involve you in everything. - So if you have the opportunity to stay there, go for it!! The work didn't really feel like work - and you will have enough free time to explore the beautiful countryside.
Thomas took me along to a lot… read more
Best wishes!
Thanks for the almoust 5 weeks I… read more
Thomas and Ilse
The place is beautiful as well, everyone who… read more
Thanks for showing me how and where you live and for everything i learned from you. And for all the rides and parades you took me along.
I'm looking forward to meet you guys again someday.
Love Elena.
