Experience rural family life at our log home near Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We have some limited availability towards the end of September 2026, please inquire for dates if you are interesed.
  
  *** A volunteer for this winter has been selected pending visa approval*** Accepting applications as backups if you are interested. Otherwise, please inquire about spring and summer 2027.
  
  We are looking for a mature, responsible female Workawayer to become part of our family and ideally stay with us from October through March.
  
  We live on a rural property in the beautiful Shuswap, about 20 minutes outside Salmon Arm, BC. We have two children, two dogs, a cat, horses and a donkey. We enjoy a quiet, outdoorsy lifestyle and are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys rural living.
  
  Who we're looking for
  
  Maturity, reliability and independence are the most important qualities to us.
  
  We're looking for someone who:
  
  - Has her own vehicle
  - Is comfortable with rural living, cold weather and snow
  - Has experience with dogs and cats, and ideally other animals
  - Has experience with young children
  - Has a good working level of English
  - Is hardworking, practical and able to use her own initiative
  - Is comfortable spending time independently and has her own interests
  - Enjoys being social and becoming part of a family
  - Is someone we can trust and rely on
  
  We are looking for someone who can enjoy the balance of being part of our family while also being completely comfortable doing her own thing.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Farming

  

  Languages

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Camping

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Self development

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Animals

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We love sharing our lifestyle and learning about yours. During your stay, you'll likely have the opportunity to experience:
  
  - Canadian family life on a small hobby farm
  - Rural living in beautiful British Columbia
  - Canadian 4-H programs and youth activities
  - The world of Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) dog obedience and conformation shows (when events are taking place)
  
  In return, we'd love to learn about your culture and traditions. Whether it's sharing stories, teaching us about your country, cooking a favourite meal from home, practicing languages, or introducing us to a hobby or skill you enjoy, we believe cultural exchange is one of the best parts of hosting.
  
  Our goal is for Workawayers to feel like part of the family, sharing everyday life, experiences, and creating lasting memories together.
  
  Experience Life in the Shuswap!
  
  We live in one of Canada's most beautiful outdoor recreation areas, surrounded by forests, mountains, and lakes. Hiking trails begin right from our driveway, and in the summer we spend plenty of time exploring nearby Shuswap Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and Okanagan Lake. Whenever possible, we'd love for our guests to join us on these adventures.

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  Au Pair Help

  This host is looking for Au pair help.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  What you'll help with
  
  When we're home, help is fairly flexible and may include cleaning, cooking, laundry, animal care, gardening, firewood, DIY projects and general help around the property.
  
  When we're away, we need someone responsible who can look after the house, two dogs, cat, horses and donkey, including feeding, water checks and daily animal care. Snow removal and keeping an eye on the property may also be needed.
  
  There may occasionally be opportunities to help with our 2-year-old. For someone we have come to know and trust, there may even be times when we are away for 3–4 days and she stays at home with the children. This would only be for the right person and is not an expectation when you first arrive.
  
  If this sounds like a good fit, we'd love to hear from you! Send us a message with your travel dates, a little about yourself, and any experience you have with animals or rural living. We usually reply the same day.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  You'll have your own comfortable private bedroom featuring:
  
  A queen-size bed
  Vaulted ceilings
  Access to a shared bathroom
  
  Although cell service is limited on our property, we have reliable, unlimited Starlink satellite internet throughout the house.
  
  If you're travelling in your own RV, you're also welcome to park on our property. (Please note that we do not have sewer hookups.)
  
  Meals:
  
  We provide all meals during your stay.
  
  Breakfast & Lunch: Usually self-serve from our stocked kitchen.
  
  Dinner: Most evenings we eat together as a family. We may occasionally ask for a hand preparing dinner, and we always enjoy it when guests share a favourite meal from their home country.
  
  We typically eat a varied diet that includes meat. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know before your stay so we can discuss whether we're able to accommodate your needs.

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  What else ...

  We want this to feel like a genuine family exchange. When we're home, the schedule is flexible and we'll work together around what needs to be done.
  
  You'll have your own comfortable accommodation, meals, free time, and the opportunity to experience rural British Columbia and the Shuswap.
  
  We enjoy sharing meals, outings and family time, but also completely respect your need for independence and your own space.
  
  Our ideal person would be looking for a longer-term experience and would love to settle in and become part of our family and everyday life for the winter.
  
  If you're mature, capable, love animals, enjoy children and think rural Canadian life sounds like an adventure, we'd love to hear from you! ❤️
  
  House Guidelines:
  
  Our home is a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
  
  No smoking or recreational drug use on the property.
  
  Guest Accommodation:
  
  Most of the time we host one Workawayer at a time in a private bedroom, however we may consider hosting additional guests in our renovated 4-season RV trailer. (We do not take guests in the trailer over winter)
  
  Occasionally, there may be a short overlap with another guest to help with travel schedules. If that happens, you may stay in a temporary room for a night or two before moving into your main room. If you'd prefer not to overlap with another guest, just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate that.
  
  Property & Environment:
  
  Our home is located in a farming community surrounded by nature. Depending on the weather and wind, you may notice farm or compost smells.
  
  We're also continually improving our property. During the warmer months there may be landscaping, fencing, or construction projects underway.
  
  Getting Here:
  
  The closest airport is Kelowna International Airport (YLW), with regular flights from Vancouver, Calgary, and other major Canadian cities. We can often arrange airport pickup and drop-off.
  
  You can also travel by EBus to Salmon Arm, where we'll happily meet you.
  
  If you have any questions about getting here or planning your trip, just ask—we're happy to help!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  If you require to be on any conference calls, just keep in mind that we have a busy toddler and noise is sometimes at a higher level.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have space for parking any sized RV. Please inquire about what hook-ups we might be able to provide to make sure that we can accommodate your needs. (Please note there is no mobile phone reception or internet outside of our home as service is limited.)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  

  Bam Bam (Donkey)

  Bam Bam is a 17 year old small standard donkey. He loves to come hiking with us and has a little pack saddle that we use to bring along lunch for up on the trail.

  

  Jewel

  Jewel is a 10 year old quarter horse/Paint mare. She is our daughter's personal horse. Jewel came to us 3 years ago, and is a great trail horse. She often gives our son pony rides as well.

  

  Cherokee

  Cherokee is an 11 year old mare. She was born feral in the Southern Canadian Okanagan. However she was gentled as a young foal and is considered a "BC Wildie". She is Caitlin's personal horse and enjoys riding up into the mountains. Bam Bam the donkey is her best friend and they are super attached to each other.

  

  Boots

  Boots is a 7 Year old Tuxedo cat. Boots spends his days outside "protecting" our property and has a patrol line that he checks daily. We call him the "Panther". He spends his evenings in our unfinished basement on his favourite cat bed. His favourite person is our 2 year old son.

  

  Daisy

  Daisy is a 5 Year Shetland Sheepdog. Daisy competes with our daughter in 4-H and Canadian Kennel Club in obedience and agility events. They are very competitive and love having fun and winning ribbons along the way. Daisy and Addison train together everyday and I am sure they would love to have you learn with them as well.

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