Experience life in a Pacific Northwest old growth forest just an hour from Portland, OR, USA

Infos

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  Description

  This is a rustic wilderness lodge & a working community in a protected old growth forest. We welcome frequent visitors who come to remember that there is a quieter existence outside the bustle of "normal" life. We reside on nearly 200 hundred acres of mature forest and wildlife habitat here in the Pacific Northwest that has been stewarded by the same settler family for five generations. We successfully placed a conservation easement on 150 acres of the land, which will conserve the forest in its natural state in perpetuity.
  
  Our 50 acres outside the conservation easement has been developed into a holistic retreat space where we host paid gatherings and events, including weddings. This is what keeps the staff and volunteers busy through the summer season (approx. May - Oct). The property is owned by a large family - Ian (he/him) is the caretaker living here full-time with his wife Chel and their 3 young kids. There is a small paid staff, which grows during the summer season to include about 6-8 Workawayers.
  
  We have a fair number of visitors, friends, and helpers passing through our communal spaces. We are remote but not too far out there! The closest town, Molalla, is a 15-minute drive, and we are conveniently 50 minutes from Portland. We work hard here, but make time for fun and relaxation too, which may include sharing meals, movie nights, sound healing, music & dancing, bonfires, chilling in the hot tub, yoga, meditation, river dips, foraging for mushrooms and edible and medicinal plants, and exploring the forest :)
  
  The wilderness lodge property includes four rustic sleeper cabins and many other accommodations, including a cottage, community lodge with bathrooms and kitchen, and bathhouse with cedar sauna & hot tub. Also a yoga deck overlooking the river, a swimming beach w/ kayaks, and nature trails.
  
  We acknowledge that this sacred land is the traditional lands of the Molalla peoples, who were forcibly removed to the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde reservation. We endeavor to live in right relationship with Mother Earth, heal ancestral wounds and deprogram ourselves from colonizing systems and patterns. We are committed to holding a safe space for all peoples, including QT-BIPOC folks. We center the wellness and healing of ourselves and those in our community circle, so we may all cohabitate peacefully and with integrity.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Technologie

  

  Vidéographie

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Films et télé

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Écriture

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Auto-stop

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Animaux

  

  Astronomie

  

  Photographie

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Livres

  

  Art et design

  

  Architecture

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature

  

  Fitness

  

  Camping

  

  Plage

  

  Danse

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Randonnée

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Sports d'aventure
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  What will I do in my free time?
  
  You are welcome to explore our nearly 200 acres of protected old growth forest and the pristine Molalla River! This is a nature lover’s dream come true. Chel is a resident herbalist and would be glad to introduce you to the native medicinal and edible plants, mushrooms and berries. Ian is a documentary filmmaker, currently working on a documentary about narwhals, and we can share our knowledge about impact-driven art.
  
  Our volunteer coordinator will schedule potluck dinners, somatic check-ins, weekend field trips to Portland or neighboring towns, and group hang outs on the land. Group leisure activities will be community-led and optional.
  
  If you have your own artistic offering, you are welcome to work on a project! Previous volunteers have done impressive murals and stained glass art installations that enhance the uniqueness of this place for all to enjoy.

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  L’hôte offre un salaire correspondant au salaire minimum

  Cet hôte offre l'hébergement et une rémunération.

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  Aide

  Seeking help to start ASAP!
  
  We are still gearing up for summer 2026, with weddings and retreats booked all summer long. We are looking to bring on a team of 6-8 hard working, capable, nature-loving volunteers to help us get our grounds ready for the summer season and manage events.
  
  If you prove to be a great fit for our team during your first two-week stay, there may be an opportunity for you to stay on through the entire summer season, as late as October. If you are selected, the scope of work from July-October shifts into hospitality and event management, as well as grounds maintenance.
  
  Workawayers are invited for a two-week work-trade experience where you can acclimate, and get a better sense of whether this is a good fit for you. During this two weeks, we offer you lodging in a private bell tent, access to a shared outdoor kitchen, outdoor showers and portapotties. We also provide basic food staples (ex: rice, beans, pasta, oils and spices, a weekly organic CSA share box).
  If all goes well and you are interested in staying longer, and you are a good fit for the team, we may offer you hourly pay. If you are wanting to continue a work trade experience beyond two weeks, that is possible, too. You can discuss these options further with our volunteer coordinator during your interview.
  
  Hours: 20–25 hours per week on average. Tasks will vary. Flex weeks may occur around events.
  
  • Monday Team Meeting (primary planning meeting)
  • Daily short morning check-ins
  
  Please be in touch if this interests you, and if you think you may be the right fit!
  
  Excited to meet you,
  Ian and Chel

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant

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  Hébergement

  Where will I stay?
  
  We provide rustic housing in canvas bell tents. Tents have electricity as well as queen mattresses/bedding. You will also have shared access to outdoor showers and portapotty toilets (serviced weekly), a communal outdoor kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, and a bathhouse with cedar sauna and hot tub (accessible when the property is not rented for events). We can also accommodate camping vans or RVs, with hookups, if have your own lodging.
  
  We do not allow animals, per the restrictions of our conservation easement.
  
  You are responsible for your own transportation. We do not have a vehicle for you to use, and will not cover travel expenses to/from Molalla.

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  Autres infos...

  If you have any additional training or skills, such as yoga instruction, private chef, massage or acupuncture, you can offer your services to guests to book directly with you, as a way for you to make supplemental income.

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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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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have a fiber optic mesh Wi-Fi network that covers most of the structures on the land. We have two Maltese dogs, a barn cat, and a flock of chickens. Due to the conservation easement we cannot allow any other animals on the land.

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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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  Mes animaux

  Paloma (6 ans)

  Maltese Female

  Pawblo (3 ans)

  tiny maltese

Sécurité du site

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