Revillaging the land. Experience tending the village dream, Lake Cowichan, Canada

  • Favourited 221 times
  • Last activity: 25 Jan 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Greeting travellers, nomads, vagabonds, and magical creatures/humans alike!

    Looking for folks to join for a short or long time, and put hands to soil and other aspects of village; to exchange in trade for space to be and live and nourish and be nourished. If you are looking for a great place to stay and trade time, please reach out. We are especially able to host anyone with their own accomodations, vehicle, bus, etc... But we also have a camper, a tent trailer, and sometimes even a room in a home.

    We call our land The Shire which translates to "tended to". We are 5 families sharing two properties all landscaped as one beautiful village. Central to our village is 4.5 acre lake in which we are perched around with a handful of dwellings and glorious sit spots scattered throughout our landscape.

    We tend a beautiful organic garden together which is central on our land (Middle Earth). We have a gorgeous Treehouse Kitchen and camping zone for guests and nomadic tenders to our home.

    We are here remembering village, what it's like to live in village, to show up to village and to above all tend the land in a good way. We spend our days tending our own gloriously full lives as well as the land. Its takes a village to tend all the facets of a homestead, and of course there is always projects to engage with, from implementing better infrastructure through the lens of permaculture, building projects, tending our food garden and keeping the all the magical nooks, channels, and pathways clear for optimal enjoyment of the land and its gifts... and of course the children. We have 5 beautiful children who call this land home. Ages 6 Weeks, 7, 8, 9 and 9. They are the heart and innocence of our home. We have a 30ft Yurt that hosts a nature school for the kids throughout the school year. We also use the yurt to gather, to celebrate, to move, and sometimes host events and workshops throughout the year.

    This land, this home is a gift. We have spring water on tap! We wish to give back and enjoy being at home. This takes work and its such a beautiful experience to open our home to others who feel inspired to tend this dream alongside us.

    We are a village of unique personalities, musicians, carvers, conscious tech professionals, parents, painters, gardeners, clowns, and much more.

    We are on the edge of wild nature .We are less than a five minute walk from the most beautiful river stretch on the Cowichan River (Provincial Parkland) scattered with amazing swimming holes, and trails all around. Endless pristine nature to explore all around.

    We love help in the garden, tending the land, landscaping, maintenance, and many other aspects of the land.

    Let us know if you wish to explore a stay on our magical land.

    LGTBQ Friendly.

    We also recognize that we are settlers who have made home on the territory of the Quw'utsun first nations. We are guests at best and are engaged in finding our way into right relation with the lands and its people.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • 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

    A perfect opportunity to experience the pristine natural beauty of Vancouver Island. Experience the Trans-Canada Trail and the views from its sublime trestle bridges. Cool off and float in the Cowichan river during our long warm summer or come in the spring and fall to fish or just watch the intense runs of Salmon and Trout.

    We hope to create a mutually beneficial experience and are passionate about sharing what we know and also learning from you!

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for 2-3 hours/day per person 5 days/week. There is ample room for tenting on the land as well as van camping and RV's. You will have the use of our amazing stacked communal kitchen space and Bulk organic grain (rice and or lentils) will be provided as well as abundant garden greens when available. We offer oil and vinegar, sugar, tea and some spices as well but all other food desires are your personal responsibility.

    We are looking for a 2-3 week commitment to start, with the potential of a longer exchange. The land is approx a half hour bike ride (on trans-canada trail) from the town of Lake Cowichan (grocery store, restaurants etc.) or a 7 minute drive. Also 20 minutes from Duncan by car. We may have a spare bike for you to use as well :) We look forward to hearing from you and sharing in this slice of paradise!

    Main projects we are looking to get happening to start,

    1. Developing our Shire Sauna self care zone. Pathway making, stonescaping, planting flower beds and groundcovers

    2. some ample blackberry removal on pathways, and other key areas we wish to access and utilize. Basically opening up some really amazing parts of the land that have been put on the back burner.

    3. Zone tending - We have many beautiful spots to spend time and connect around the land. One regular thing we like to do is keep these spaces open and available for gathering and enjoyment by all. Keeping our land beautiful is part of the magic.

    4. some fun light landscaping, some planting & beautifying the garden, and many more various tasks.

    This land is a dream canvas, and we are excited to have some help dialing in the zones for the coming seasons.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a cute little tent trailer in a swet spot next to our outdoor treehosue kitchen. can comfortable hold one or two people if they are a pair.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The massive Cowichan Lake is a short drive away for those who like water sports, however the river is right next to us for lovers of kayaking and tubing! We have a strict policy of only using natural body products on the property. The land is fed by spring water and might be the best water you've ever tasted!
    Many hiking trails around, just walking distance from the land. We are a one hour drive from the West Coast village of Port Renfrew which is surrounded by some incredible Old Growth stands and some of the most gorgeous beaches on the island.

  • 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

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We are open to hosting pets of all kinds if they are kind, well behaved, and most importantly cat & child friendly.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    3 hours/day 5 days a week

Host ref number: 196491952624

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