Community, Heritage, Nature, Creativity in the Beautiful Highlands of Canada

Details

• 

  Description

  Come and spend time with us in the rural Highlands, a community that celebrates nature and the aesthetic, historic, and innovative within its social fabric. We are located just outside of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Experience the tranquility of Kindwood, a large and unique parcel of land that is rich in natural beauty and full of history.
  
  We are two couples; Diana and Jean, and Bonnie and Philip.
  
  As young people, both Diana and Jean lived and worked abroad and enjoyed the life changing experiences of being immersed in new cultures. We feel excited to be able to have this kind of broadening exchange with travellers at this time in our lives. We love to hike and spend time in nature. Jean enjoys cross country skiing, cycling, and motorbike touring, as well as sourdough bread baking, cooking, and woodworking. Diana enjoys swimming, meditating, gardening, cooking, and is working to ensure the conservation of Kindwood forest in perpetuity. You may meet our playful ‘grand dog’, Ollie, or a friend’s older dog, Piper, both frequent visitors.
  
  Bonnie and Philip have travelled and worked on four continents and are nourished by meeting people of varying ethnicity, religion, linguistic facility, sexual orientation, age, social class, race, health status, and other identities. Our souls are fed by nature’s wild places, music, and each other. Bonnie enjoys interdisciplinary arts, meditation, culinary arts, creating healing environments, landscaping, writing books for her granddaughters, and writing about social justice and generative, liberating, healing community arts. Philip enjoys cooking, meditation, reading, caring for his granddaughters, lively discussions, and gardening. Our beloved cats Tika and Leo are an integral part of our family.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ×

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Learn how the Highlands came to be and of the role it played in the life of First Nations Peoples and the pioneers who took on the challenge of living in this rugged, beautiful land. Learn about local historical places, their heritage value, character defining elements, and embodied stories.
  
  Kindwood, our home in the Highlands, is a private managed forest, managed using eco-forestry principles. You will learn how the health of the forest is maintained through minimal, careful thinning of trees that can be used for firewood or lumber depending on quality of the wood when you help with firewood processing.
  
  Learn skills to repair and restore the heritage Mitchell Cottage. In 2022 and 2023 we worked on the interior of the cottage, now the home of Bonnie and Philip. This historic house, dating from before 1900, was once also a general store and post office, and is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the District. This year we will undertake repair and repainting of the remaining windows not restored last year. This work will include replacement of any rotten window frames, as well as scraping, sanding and painting of frames that are in good condition.
  
  Learn to prepare organic gardening beds for planting, turning and making compost, or pruning pear trees that date from pioneer times.
  
  Learn to build, if time allows, a storage shed for garden and other tools, using lumber milled at Kindwood, and also build beds and fencing for more fruit trees. There are numerous trails and paths at Kindwood that we trim to allow for hiking. As well, we try to keep vigorous introduced plant species in check to allow native species to flourish. In the Spring and early Summer we pull or cut these plants. You will learn which plants are not part of the native ecosystem.
  
  Discover and learn about a gem of the Highlands – W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary. The W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary is a 42 acre protected forest and riparian area ​that supports biodiversity while preserving ecosystems and wildlife habitat. The tranquil natural environment inspires an awareness of nature as teacher and essential ally. Learn the integral role the ancestors of the WSÁNEC Coast Salish Peoples played as past stewards of the Highlands in the W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary that lies within the traditional territories of the WSÁNEC (Saanich) Coast Salish Peoples.
  
  Benefit from hiking in spectacular scenery while learning about heritage green space that is rich in biodiversity, including natural glacial rock formations and an abundance of bird life. Learn how the area continues to be important to First Nation peoples, who utilize areas for medicinal, ceremonial, and spiritual purposes.
  
  In your free time, walk the many trails within a mature second growth forest with creeks and a small lake. Enjoy spectacular views and a variety of ecosystems within Kindwood. A number of Kindwood trails connect to adjacent parks in the Highlands and beyond. Explore other Highlands historical structures and roads that connected pioneer families and continue to create strong social ties and sense of community today. Or pop into Victoria, a delightful historical destination with a long maritime heritage, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, known as the Garden City. There are also many beaches to explore in Victoria and around the region. We have bicycles for you to use to connect with the bus system in nearby Langford.

• 

  Projects involving children

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

• 

  Help

  With Diana and Jean, jobs you may be asked to help with include gardening, firewood, exterior window restoration, garden/storage shed construction, garden fencing, and path/trail maintenance. Experience in paint prep and painting and or woodworking and construction is an asset.
  
  With Bonnie and Philip, jobs include building a wheelchair friendly path from the storied Mitchell Cottage, a rustic old gem set among huge maples in a pleasing pastoral setting built between 1889 and 1903, and a new art studio that supports diversity, inclusivity, and equitable access. Or, constructing a children’s beach to delight tiny humans by creating lake access. As well, building a meandering garden border wall to define the perimeter of a mossy rocky knoll adorned with seasonal snowdrops, ferns, and lavender outside of the Mitchell Cottage kitchen French door.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  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.
• 

  Accommodation

  Accommodation is in the charming ‘Tea House.’ It includes a queen bed and comfortable folding mattress for those requiring separate beds as well as a kitchenette, table and a comfortable chair. In warm weather enjoy sitting out on the covered porch. Bathrooms are in the main houses. All meals provided. Breakfast and lunch in the teahouse with dinner meals in the main houses. Omnivores please

• 

  What else ...

  On your time off, choose urban or rural activities.
  URBAN VICTORIA.
  Emily Carr House. Tour the Carr House, a National Historic Site of Canada located in Victoria, British Columbia. It was the childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr, and had a lasting impression on her paintings and writings.
  
  Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Located a short walk from downtown, the AGGV has been building an art collection for almost 70 years. It showcases contemporary art, significant works produced in this region, and art that represents our histories. Since its founding, the AGGV has been assembling work from around the Pacific Rim and has established one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world. Insider’s Tip After exploring the exhibitions and permanent collections, make your way into the backyard and check out their peaceful Asian Garden, boasting the only authentic Japanese Shinto Shrine in North America. It is a fine example of the architecture of a Meiji period Shinto Shrine, now perfectly situated among bamboo and Japanese maples.
  
  Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Stroll through the historic heart of Victoria where schooners used to dock and experience great views of the Inner Harbour. Explore Fisgard Street, the home of Canada’s oldest Chinatown (2nd oldest in North America after San Francisco). Check out Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest “street” in Canada. Have lunch here or extend your stroll to the Victoria Public Market (just across on Douglas Street) highlighting local artisans, farmers, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, preservers, brewers, vintners, florists and restaurateurs.
  
  The Royal BC Museum. Discover BC's coastal forests to the depths of the north Pacific. Immerse yourself in tales of authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings as you journey to the Ice Age, dive under the ocean to see amazing creatures. Experience how climate change affects us. Allocate two hours for the museum.
  
  Pendray Tea House. Discover the charm of yesteryear. Savour an authentic Afternoon Tea in the heart of Victoria. Indulge in meticulously crafted foods from premium local produce. This quintessentially British affair offers a unique taste of Victoria, combining historical elegance with gastronomic delight.
  
  Iconic Double Decker Bus. Experience the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Victoria which allows great flexibility to explore the many popular attractions Victoria has to offer.
  
  Butchart Gardens. Marvel at the beauty of a breathtaking 22 ha (55 acres) of gardens year round, designated a National Historic Site.
  
  Roger's Chocolates. Walk along the historic storefronts that you’ll pass along Government Street featuring one of a kind shops such as Silk Road Tea, Murchie’s Tea and Coffee, Munro’s Books and Roger’s Chocolates. For those who love chocolate, Roger's was established in 1885 by Charles “Candy” Rogers in the back of his grocery store in Victoria, B.C.
  
  RURAL VICTORIA.
  
  W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary (formerly Mary Lake). In the heart of the Millstream Watershed,​ the rich and raw beauty of this sanctuary is located in the Highlands District. The riparian landscape of the property changes dramatically through the different season bringing new discoveries of plant species and migrating visitors of the winged and four legged kind. The W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary is available for many wonderful experiences ​that will support well-being and encourage environmental awareness. There are numerous stream side trails in the 13,000 year old Millstream Watershed offer inspiring views of the 7 intact ecosystems on the property available on the 2nd Sunday of the month or by request for guided group walks. Trails are rated as easy. For monthly walks see the Spirit of Nature Walk. W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary lies within the traditional territories of the WSÁNEC (Saanich) Coast Salish Peoples, and recognizes the integral role the ancestors of the WSÁNEC Coast Salish Peoples play as past stewards of the Highlands lands.
  
  Mount Work Regional Park. One of the largest regional parks, a dominant hill on the horizon from many vantage points in Saanich, Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. It features three freshwater lakes ringed with forested slopes - Killarney, Durrance and Pease - for walking and swimming, and the latter two also for canoeing and fishing. Trail ratings are moderate to challenging through natural glacial rock formations. A medley of evergreens and a rich understory of native shrubs, ferns, mosses and woodland flowers enrich your experience.
  
  Lone Tree Hill. Climb above the Highlands past dry, rocky outcrop vegetation to the 364-metre summit of Lone Tree Hill. From the summit, the view sweeps across the Malahat and the Highlands to Victoria and the distant Olympic Mountains. The hilltop is an excellent spot for bird watching. Look for bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures riding the thermals overhead. Lone Tree Hill is particularly spectacular in the spring, when wildflowers such as fawn lilies, shooting stars and common camas grace the hillside.
  
  Gowlland Tod Park. Excellent day-use recreation opportunities for hiking, nature appreciation and picnicking. 25 + kilometres of trails varying in difficulty, which are adorned by spectacular scenery preserving a priceless heritage of green space. It encompasses a significant part of the Gowlland Range, one of the last remaining natural areas in Greater Victoria, and a significant portion of the of Tod Inlet. Particularly rich in biodiversity, more than 150 individual animal and plant species have been identified. The protected area features grassy meadows, rocky knolls and old-growth forest, and a wetland area. Species that are rare elsewhere in the world flourish in this isolated habitat. You will find reminders of the area’s early pioneer activity, as well as remains of settlements associated with the Vancouver Portland Cement Company, which thrived here in the early 1900s. The area continues to be important to First Nation peoples, who utilize areas of the park for medicinal, ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
  
  There’s lots more to do if you have more time but we hope this gives you an idea of the broad range of activities in Victoria awaiting your visit!

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

• 

  Hours expected

  Maximum 4.5 hours a day, 5 days a week