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Description
Our remote Family owned resort is in Nootka Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. We opened with a hand pump gas barrel, a coffee pot and 4 bunkhouse rooms in 1993, and have been adding on every year since. Full time at the lodge now are Cameron, Catherine and their son Bryce and his wife Paige. Grandma and Poppa are no longer full time, but they still stop by frequently to restock the pies. There's more than 30 floating accommodation units and several chalets and cottages on land. Most of the lodge floats including the cafe, tackle and gift store, gas dock, front desk and many of the guest rooms. We also have guest lodging and the staff housing on land. Staff all stay for summer with us. Staff rooms are single occupancy and lunch meals are provided.
We host a weekend of volunteers for the Children's Heart Network late in June, so that's a good weekend to plan to join us for the kids. For paid work to help with hosting our summer guests there's cleaning, kitchen help, hosting at the front desk, lots of maintenance and landscaping - there's always something to do, so you can save lots for future travel in the fall. Many of our guests have been coming each year for decades. We don't allow drinking or drugs for any staff (whether working or not) when at the lodge. We enforce a quiet time at 10pm for the guests (most are getting up early for fishing in the morning), so it's a safe family oriented atmosphere. Nootka is spectacular - it is the first place Captain Cook landed in North America and is called the birthplace of BC. There's an abundance of wildlife we see right from the dock including whales, seals, sea lions, and bears.
Arrive any time in June and stay through to last week in August.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
History
DIY & crafts
Photography
Carpentry
Nature
Beach
Water sports
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We interact frequently with first nations when they are fishing their traditional fishery. It is the only tackle shop in Nootka and the closest location for fuel, so the local first nations members stop in regularly for tackle, ice cream, food and gas. The the staff all gets to know these locals and are encouraged to give locals extra special attention.
We have a good working relationship with the Ray Williams family, the only first nations family to still be living at Yuquot (Friendly Cove) were Captain Cook first landed in North America (called the Birthplace of BC) so there will be opportunities to visit Friendly Cove.
Our guests come from all walks of life and origins. Most customers have been coming for years, so they notice new staff and are interested to interact. Staff over the years have made valuable friendships with guests and other staff that have lasted decades after the summer meeting.
There is lots of both native and early European explorer history in Nootka, but the main course is the natural beauty, and wildlife. Part of the property consists of 22 acres of old growth (never logged, pristine) forest. Staff will certainly see whales, seals, black bears, sea otters, and eagles. Staff might also be lucky enough to see wolves, cougars, elk and octopus.
Our family, and all other staff live at the lodge all summer too, so we all work and play together. Staff have their own rooms if they want some privacy, but there's always lots of company.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
Friendly, self motivated and fit (we all walk alot each day). Being personable would be a great asset as we spend lots of time interacting with the guests. Work shifts are 9 hours, with one hour meal break within those hours, so 8 hours of pay. It's a day rate of $175 to $200 a day depending on position.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
We did have a staff person who only spoke Ukrainian who we loved. With google translate we figured it out. We are happy to host people learning English.
Accommodation
Single occupancy room for each staff. The staff shower rooms and bathrooms are shared. There's a staff hang out area near the kitchen where staff and family eat. There's a fridge and freezer, microwave and hot plate so staff can have their own food if they aren't fond of the staff meal or want an extra snack. We get groceries every week or so, so staff can order what they'd like to be brought in (their personal purchases would be deducted from tips). Staff are welcome to use the laundry room in the evenings or early mornings when the housekeeping staff don't need them.
What else ...
Nearest town is Gold River. We would pick staff up at Comox airport to bring to lodge. The trip from Comox is 3 hours by truck and then a 20 minute boat ride.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Boog (8 months)
Boog is our Leonberger puppy. He's a big boy - already 120 pounds and we anticipate he'll be 180 by summer. He's as calm as they come though - a gentle giant.
Freddy (5 years)
Our seasoned pro dock dog. He's an Australian Shepherd. One of our Critter Cove guests is a breeder and thought Freddy would like it with us.
Photos
