Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 Apr 2024
Reply rate
96.2 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
15
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are Cam and Jeanne, two semi-retired professors of political studies and geography who have experienced years of insightful global travel with our two children and our students. Now, we welcome an opportunity to host visitors in our special part of the world: coastal British Columbia. For the past several years we have lived part-time on Gambier Island, not far from Vancouver; each year during the 'growing season' of March to November we have been slowly developing our oceanside property with food gardens and building a home. In the meantime, we live in a comfortable 'camp' of old cabins, and enjoy the wonderful nature of the island and its surroundings. Our vision is to create a sustainable lifestyle here, with a lower-carbon footprint and food produced in our own gardens, where we can offer a restful gathering place for friends and family. In our spare time we enjoy activities like kayaking, playing guitar, board games, and sharing stories.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Gambier Island is a beautiful rural oasis close to Vancouver but nestled in wilderness. The island is situated in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound, where whales, sea lions, and other marine animals are commonly seen. Travelers can explore the island’s hiking trails or use our kayaks to visit magical shoreline places. In warm months visitors can swim on the beach adjacent to our property.
The small population of local residents form an active and welcoming community. Helpers staying at our place will be included in our circle of family and friends and social activities.
Help
We are looking for help for two types of projects. One is creating vegetable and flower gardens. This includes a wide range of activities, such as building raised garden beds, planting everything from seeds to trees, building wood or wire fences to deer-proof the property, moving rocks into place to creatively sculpt the landscape, and removing invasive plants. Also, we need help with small construction projects, such as painting and building wooden decks. For folks with construction experience, we have larger projects too, such as rebuilding our pump house. In addition, we are slowly carrying out an artistic project of building walls out of glass bottles.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Slovak: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Jeanne is trying hard to learn Spanish.
Accommodation
Accommodation is a cozy sleeping cabin with queen size bed that comes with heat and internet access. Also available is a comfortable space in our unfinished house that has an IKEA bunk bed (queen & single) which is suitable for two friends to share. Your hosts live in a separate sleeping cabin, and together we share a fully equipped communal kitchen in a separate building. Laundry, flush toilet, and a hot outdoor shower are also located in separate small buildings and shared with us. We enjoy cooking and will provide daily dinners, plus offer a well-stocked kitchen for breakfasts and lunches to be prepared by helpers as they like. The island has no stores or restaurants, but some residents offer delicious locally produced foods at the weekly farmer's/artisan market, and groceries can easily be ordered and delivered to the island from the nearby town of Gibsons.
What else ...
On time off, helpers can explore the island or relax on the seashore or in our wood-fired hot tub. Also of interest are events at the island community center, such as live music or a pub night. Visitors may choose to hop off-island to check out nearby places. Gambier Island is only a 10 minute ferry ride from the Sunshine Coast mainland and a quick bus ride to the picturesque town of Gibsons. The Sunshine Coast offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking, and many places to shop. The city of Vancouver is also reasonably accessible, and can be visited on weekends via a 40 minute ride on BC Ferries and excellent bus connections.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a reliable internet connection, and have worked remotely from the island in the past.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
If time permits, you can hike the highest mountain on… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
If time permits, you can hike the highest mountain on… read more
They were so kind and generous. The food was very tasty and healthy as well. You can count on them to give you the time to go explore their incredible island.
They showed me and the other volunteers things to see on the island, and even took us on a roadtrip to the Sunshine coast! We played board games (the famous… read more
Many activities are possible on the island, kayaking, hiking, Saturday market,… read more
