Volunteer on our non-commercial, non-profit, lakeside ranch in British Columbia, Canada

Infos

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  Description

  Our 164-acre ranch is located halfway between the Pacific Coast and the Rocky Mountains, right on a beautiful wilderness lake in the Nicola Valley. We lie in the heart of British Columbia’s big Ranching country and are surrounded by vast forests, rolling hills and boundless prairies where beavers, bears, moose and pumas still roam.
  
  The ranch is non commercial, non-profit and does not offer any vacation rentals or business activities. It is home to a small number of owners sharing what the ranch and its surroundings have to offer. What people have in common in our little lakeside community is a love for nature, the Western lifestyle and adventures of the great outdoors from fly-fishing and horseback riding to exploring the backcountry by ATV or by snowmobile in winter.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We feel that we can offer our workawayers a unique cultural exchange with a mixture of a traditional Canadian Ranch lifestyle combined with our European background. In addition our volunteers are usually from all corners of the world, so there is not only the cultural exchange between us and the workawayers but also amongst the volunteers while working and living together learning about each others traditions, customs and languages. Friendships have been created that last for years if not a lifetime.
  
  There are many get-togethers throughout the year with common meals and BBQs where stories and experiences from Canada and other parts of the world are being shared, bringing different people and cultures together over good food!
  
  Thanks to the lake community, workawayers can learn about the rich ranching history of the Nicola Valley going all the way back to the early days of the Canadian “Wild West” and the Ranch itself which was built in 1906 by a gentleman from Switzerland.
  
  Our volunteers are able to learn a variety of things, according to their interests and abilities. People interested in animal care can take care of the daily barn duties which includes feeding and caring for our horses, goats and a miniature donkey. As a ranch, of course we can also offer to learn about Western riding or the use of farm machinery and farm work in general. We are always happy about suggestions for improvements and are thankful for ideas and the help to realize new projects. Nothing like a fresh set of eyes and an open mind!
  
  We enjoy having volunteers on the ranch because we love to engage with people and learn from each other. We are thankful for everyone who wants to share a bit of their world with us and feel that everybody who comes and stays with us contributes to life on the ranch and makes this a unique place. We really appreciate being part of the workaway family and the positive energy that everybody brings to the ranch and our lives.

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  Aide

  Summer or winter, there’s always loads to do with a herd of 8 horses, 2 miniature goats and 20 chickens like mucking out stalls and paddocks, maintaining round pen, arena and fields.
  
  However, you do not need to have experience with horses to volunteer at the Ranch. We always need help with general ranch maintenance like fencing, fixing gates, clearing riding and hiking trails, road maintenance, firewood, clean up of dead trees, landscaping, cutting lawns, gardening, painting and various projects. Also, a helping hand in and around the house cleaning and maintaining as well as assisting with get-togethers would be great.
  
  Year round we are looking for helpers who have experience in carpentry, plumbing or automotive / machinery. We’re hoping to get a few projects done before the season changes, like building of a new and improved wood shelter / wood splitting site, new log / rail gates and help finishing a chicken coop for the newest additions to the Ranch.
  
  Between April and October we are looking for experienced Western riders who are willing to stay for a longer period to help us with all horse related tasks in addition to the day-to-day chores at the Ranch. Please make sure to carry insurance that specifically covers you for horseback riding and horse related activities.
  
  We can accommodate both couples and singles.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Allemand: Courant
  Anglais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  Accommodation is provided in single rooms or in a double room for a couple at the Main Lodge and in summer also in a small, freestanding cabin with a double bed for a couple with the use of a shower house.

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  Autres infos...

  In their free time, our volunteers are welcome to try their hand at fly-fishing, take a canoe or boat to explore the lake and enjoy the most amazing sunsets while sitting around the fire pit over new S’mores recipes. From time to time we get to go out on ATV or snowmobile rides, visit local Rodeos or Western events. When snow blankets the Ranch and the lake freezes over, this turns into a winter playground for ice fishing, snow shoeing and once an ice rink is cleared on the lake there are usually a few fierce hockey games on the program.
  
  If you are interested in a unique experience in the Canadian wilderness, enjoy nature and animals, appreciate the aspects of a remote lifestyle, are flexible and versatile, don't mind getting your hands dirty and bring along self-motivation and enthusiasm for work and life out here, please contact us.
  
  After arrangements are made, you can take the bus to Merritt and we will pick you up there. We have a minimum stay of 3 weeks but do prefer longer stays and might even have the opportunity for a full summer / winter volunteer position if things work out.
  
  No drugs, please!

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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