Wwoof, Wwoof!

March 26, 2019

WWOOF™ Canada links individuals to 871 organic farmers & growers in Canada.

WWOOF™ Canada is part of the Federation of WWOOF Organizations, a worldwide community that promotes awareness of ecological farming practices by providing visitors with the opportunity to live and learn on organic properties. WWOOF now exists in 132 countries around the world and is a part of a worldwide movement linking visitors with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange thereby helping to build a sustainable global community. The Aim of WWOOF is to provide individuals from all around the world the opportunity: to get first-hand experience of organic farming & gardening and to lend a helping hand wherever needed; to get into the countryside and experience Canada and Canadians; to help the organic movement, which is often labour intensive and does not rely on artificial fertilizers & pesticides; to make contact with other people in the organic movement; to have a wonderful enriching experience; to have a cultural exchange with Canadians.*

Cheakamus Centre has been a member for a few years and offers a wide array of opportunities for individuals enrolled in the WWOOFing program.

This includes working on: a hobby farm; a working hatchery; several garden beds & a greenhouse; beekeeping of three active hives; tapping of many broad leaf maple trees, and so much more. Cheakamus Centre is an overnight field school and environmental studies facility located on 165 ha of ecological reserve in Paradise Valley. This Centre is owned by the North Vancouver School District (NVSD) and offers a wide variety of experiential environmental programs to children and adults from the Sea to Sky corridor, lower mainland, and beyond. We are also home to one of North America's largest congregations of wintering bald eagles that can be viewed easily throughout the winter months. Learning about eagles and the life cycle of the chum, coho & spring salmon are just some of the unique opportunities available at Cheakamus Centre. Moreover, individuals can enjoy some of the best resort and backcountry skiing and year-round mountain biking close by!

Our onsite accommodations are shared cabins and dorms; and our new LEED® Platinum Environmental Learning Centre (ELC) is situated in the heart of the campus and houses our dining hall, classrooms, meeting and event spaces. In 2015, the ELC was certified LEED® Platinum, the highest designation in green building performance from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

In the past few years, young travellers from Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico have shared in sustainable ways of living, while lending a hand in the farm, garden and other maintenance chores.

Volunteer opportunities are managed through the Cheakamus Foundation for Environmental Learning, a registered charity that provides funding and support to Cheakamus Centre. Proceeds from facility rentals help support our environmental, leadership and indigenous programs for children and youth.

We are currently accepting WWOOFERS for available dates with jobs to include: helping with farm animals, gardening, grounds keeping, maintenance and construction, and kitchen and food services. Let us know your interest areas when applying. Because we primarily work with underage students, we require a current and clean Criminal Records Check.

Please contact us directly from the WWOOF™ Canada website. To learn more about our Individual Volunteering opportunities, please click here.

*Information provided from: https://wwoof.ca/

Contributed by Cheakamus Centre staff: Communications and Marketing Manager, Sepideh Tazzman