My name is Haylie, and I am the general manager of a ranch and mother of two children, both daughters, that are 6 and 3 years old. Due to my busy schedule during the days with my commitment to my career, and my husbands commitment to his, I need someone who can regularly care for my children and keep them busy during the day! My older daughter is going to Grade one, so will only need to be watched one to two days a week so most of the time will be with my 3 year old.
Although I myself may not have time to spend with the workawayer while I am at my job, I understand the importance of learning through the cultural exchange, which will be available primarily through the integration of the workawayer as a member of the Ranch. I myself will not be sharing much of the time with the kids with the workawayer, typically interaction will occur before and after this help.
The workawayer will quickly feel at home here as they are introduced to other staff on the ranch, allowing for the opportunity to strengthen their English speaking ability, learn new skills as well as share their own language and experiences with others here, alike. By hosting a workawayer, I hope myself and my children can learn about the workawayer culture and language just as much as we hope to share ours!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
During their stay the workawayer will have the chance to see a Canadian Dude Ranch and meet a diverse group of individuals working here. While mostly Canadian, we do have staff from various parts of the world, such as Australia. We are also in the Canadian Rockies with chances to hike, canoe, white water raft and horseback ride. The Ranch is a family owned and operated business and everyone working at the ranch becomes part of the family. We value the diversity and what they can bring to life at the Ranch, learning from them as much as we teach. Everyone here becomes part of the team and we all work together in our individual roles to make it work. Hosting visitors from around the world gives everyone a chance to learn from other cultures and strengthens the team.
The sole responsibility will be the care of the children and keeping the house clean and tidy. They will have the opportunity to meet and interact with employees of the ranch. For couples, there is cleaning, gardening and snow shoveling.
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.
Accommodation
Accommodation includes a room with a shared bathroom, kitchen and laundry room with up to 7 other housemates. The workawayer will be supplied with a food allowance for the duration of their stay.
What else ...
There are a variety of local tourist attractions situated close to the Ranch, such as Barrier Lake, the Nakiska Ski Resort, Kananaskis Lodge as well as a variety of extracurricular activities to engage in that are unique to this location such as hiking, dog carting, river rafting and many more depending on your lifestyle.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
May through September only.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
98 horses
We have 98 horses all with names and personalities. We keep about 60-70 at the Ranch in the summer.
Chaos
Chaos our other Ranch Cat who comes to visit the kids as well. She is a bit more shy than Chunks but is a nice cat as well.
Red aka Chunks
Chunks is a Ranch cat that everyone loves. She lives outside and comes to visit the kids at the house daily for pets, food and treats. Lexi is very connected to Chunks, Kassi loves her too.
Pearls was a pleasure to host. She was great with both of my daughters and especially patient and creative with our youngest, who adored their time baking and playing together. Pearls was also helpful around the house and kept herself occupied with the quiet winter ranch life. Her cooking was excellent, and we appreciated her initiative in the… read more kitchen. We’re grateful for everything she contributed during her stay and would happily welcome her back anytime.
(Excellent
)
17 Jul 2025
Left by Workawayer (Pearls) for host
I spent 2.5 months on the ranch in Kananaskis. Haylie and her daughters are beyond lovely. I have enjoyed looking after the little one Lexie, she was the cutest and loved baking with me. Waking up too the mountain views and spent weekends hiking was the treat for my soul. Working in a busy hospitality environment, the life on the ranch was exactly… read more what I needed. I am forever grateful for the experience and feeling very fortunate to be able to help and with the girls. Haylie is a wonderful host, knowing the area really well was able to provide me with some tips on local hikes etc.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
7 Jun 2025
Left by Workawayer (Evie) for host
I spent a month at the ranch and had such an incredible time! It’s a beautiful location to be based in and it’s so nice to go horse riding through the mountains and trees. I even got to experience a rodeo while here! All the people who work at the ranch are super lovely and help make the experience so special. It very quickly felt like home.
Lexi… read more and Kassi are lovely kids. I spent more time with Lexi as Kassi was at school, and together we would play with the cats Chunky and Chaos, go for walks to see the buffalo and horses, do puzzles, play outside, do crafts and bake.
Haylie was super easy to talk to and there for me if I needed support or had questions.
I would thoroughly recommend volunteering here!!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
4 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
Even though I only stayed for one month I’ve had the most amazing time at the ranch and I miss all the people there so dearly. The two little girls I watched were so cute, sometimes it was a little difficult to combine to completely different plans but if you would ask really nicely you mostly got your way. The task I had were very easy and it was… read more not at all a problem when I couldn’t finish everything. Accommodation wise I was living a little volunteer dream by having my own place.
Even though there is not much traffic on the ranch during off season I had the most amazing time with my neighbours Dawn and Heather and I was always welcome at family activities with the grandparents. So I had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.
All in all I’m so grateful for my time there and to meet all those amazing people. Thank you so much yall for making my stay so memorable!!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
23 Jul 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Pearls)
Pearls was a pleasure to host. She was great with both of my daughters and especially patient and creative with our youngest, who adored their time baking and playing together. Pearls was also helpful around the house and kept herself occupied with the quiet winter ranch life. Her cooking was excellent, and we appreciated her initiative in the… read more kitchen. We’re grateful for everything she contributed during her stay and would happily welcome her back anytime.
(Excellent)
17 Jul 2025
Left by Workawayer (Pearls) for host
I spent 2.5 months on the ranch in Kananaskis. Haylie and her daughters are beyond lovely. I have enjoyed looking after the little one Lexie, she was the cutest and loved baking with me. Waking up too the mountain views and spent weekends hiking was the treat for my soul. Working in a busy hospitality environment, the life on the ranch was exactly… read more what I needed. I am forever grateful for the experience and feeling very fortunate to be able to help and with the girls. Haylie is a wonderful host, knowing the area really well was able to provide me with some tips on local hikes etc.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
7 Jun 2025
Left by Workawayer (Evie) for host
I spent a month at the ranch and had such an incredible time! It’s a beautiful location to be based in and it’s so nice to go horse riding through the mountains and trees. I even got to experience a rodeo while here! All the people who work at the ranch are super lovely and help make the experience so special. It very quickly felt like home.
Lexi… read more and Kassi are lovely kids. I spent more time with Lexi as Kassi was at school, and together we would play with the cats Chunky and Chaos, go for walks to see the buffalo and horses, do puzzles, play outside, do crafts and bake.
Haylie was super easy to talk to and there for me if I needed support or had questions.
I would thoroughly recommend volunteering here!!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
4 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
Even though I only stayed for one month I’ve had the most amazing time at the ranch and I miss all the people there so dearly. The two little girls I watched were so cute, sometimes it was a little difficult to combine to completely different plans but if you would ask really nicely you mostly got your way. The task I had were very easy and it was… read more not at all a problem when I couldn’t finish everything. Accommodation wise I was living a little volunteer dream by having my own place.
Even though there is not much traffic on the ranch during off season I had the most amazing time with my neighbours Dawn and Heather and I was always welcome at family activities with the grandparents. So I had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.
All in all I’m so grateful for my time there and to meet all those amazing people. Thank you so much yall for making my stay so memorable!!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
29 Oct 2024
Left by Workawayer (Lea) for host
It was a very beautiful experience my stay of 3 months in kananaskis. Haylie goes out of her way to make you feel very comfortable, she is a lovely person. In the summer I was able to do a lot, especially with the other residents of the accommodation. The people were also great and there is always a cultural exchange. The children need a little… read more more patience at the beginning, but this pays off as they become the most loving children. The ranch staff are also very lovely. The surroundings of the ranch are great and adventurous. From beautiful horseback riding, river rafting, hiking, ect there is something for everyone. The only thing that would be good is a car sometimes. I can only recommend this experience.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
17 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Frida Deborah) for host
My time at Haylie's house was nothing short of an adventure. On my days off, as well as my working days:)) I worked an average of four days a week from 9:30 till 4:30 while Haylie and Scott were at work. We did some arts and crafts like painting and beading and played hide and seek or haunted house. Kassi (4) and Lexi (20 months) don't always get… read more along perfectly, but they both have their own phones to distract them in some of those situations. In the cold, we weren't able to go outside much, but in the summer, there is a playground around the corner. So during the cold and dark days, we often played games or watched TV together. Both of them are very strong-willed and loud little ladies. They communicate to you exactly what they want or don't want. During the day, I was also able to bake or work on my computer a little because they do entertain themselves quite well. In the Beginning It was not always easy with the three of us, but I have learned to love them a lot, and after 1-2 weeks when all of us have gotten used to each other, our days were lots of fun, and I will miss them lots!
I was living on the Ranch about three kilometers from Haylie's house, in a (shared) apartment. I had lots of my own space and cooked for myself but had all my groceries paid for when I went shopping with Haylie. In November, there were not as many people around the ranch, so I enjoyed a little quiet time, but in the summer, it's supposed to be very lively! The area, Kananaskis, is an absolute dream for outdoorsy people, and I spent most of my days off hiking the surrounding trails. Since I don't have a car, Haylie always found someone to give me a lift to the nearby places, which was great! Her whole family was quite lovely, and we had some good conversations. Haylie is a great communicator, and I felt very well taken care of! I hope to keep in contact and visit again sometime in the summertime!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
5 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Georgia) for host
Definitely one of the most stunning places Ive ever worked! There is so much to do in the Kananaskis area aswell as having the rockies in your backyard is incredible! Everyone is super friendly and loves the outdoors which made for the best fun. Even without a car everyone was very accomodating, but having a car would be great to explore the area… read more more. Highly recommend this ranch to anyone as you will get to work with some very knowledgeable and kindhearted people 🤗
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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Gardening
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
