We are located on Bowen lsland, B.C., a 20 minute car ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, B.C. We will meet you at the ferry in Snug Cove on Bowen... We are approx 5kms from the ferry...
We are a fully fenced 12 acres. We grow organic (pesticide-free) raspberries, strawberries, wild blackberries, apples, pears, figs, and veggies - tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, beets, kale etc., We are slowly introducing thornless blackberries (sweeter and more juicy!!) as well as slowly increasing our the raspberry bushes.... this is a continuing project. We also grow pesticide free flowers and shrubs. . The "outdoors" is my brother Richard's domain. He definitely has a "green thumb" ....
There are 3 glass greenhouses, and 1 large cold frame... Strawberries, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers and Figs are grown inside the cold frame throughout the growing season (Summer). The strawberries are labour intensive... There is always significant ongoing clean up required ......pruning raspberry canes, and apple trees; weeding out the outside veggie beds, watering the veggies inside the cold frame.... these are continuous activities...
Volunteer hours: We follow the guidelines of approx 5.5-6 hours per day... 5-6 days per week.... if you want to spend more time amongst the veggies or the senior pups (more on that below!!), we won't stop you!!! Bowen has lots of walking/hiking trails, and a couple of commercial areas, which are worth a visit.... along with a couple of pubs.... and of course, West and North Vancouver are only a 20 minute ferry ride and short bus ride away...
Accommodation is in separate buildings: We have space for a combination of one up to four wwoofers at any one time...
1) one private bedroom with a queen bed and bath and separate entrance, so can accommodate either a single wwoofer or a couple. 2) a private "bed-sit" with a king bed, a very comfy sitting area, which can also sub as a twin bed, and private bath... This is ideal for two friends travelling together, or a couple .... it also has its own entrance in a separate building.
Meals....Everyone looks after themselves for breakfast and lunch in the kitchen of the main house. There are no "off-limits" with regard to food supplies in the main house (within reason!!!) ...whatever is in the refridgerator/freezer or cupboards is available, and we are happy to accommodate any requests, again within reason.... Everyone comes together at Dinner... My brother, Richard is the "evening chef" During the spring/summer everyone has the option to dine outside in the main courtyard.... We are mainly a vegetarian household, but we do serve seafood, and very occasionally, chicken. We do have a tennis court and we do have a variety of tennis racquets with different grip sizes.... We do have a swimming pool, which is dependent upon the availability of water through the summer.. There are also a couple of beaches located within a short distance, and we are happy to transport you there.... in the summer it is often more enjoyable to go to the beach after dinner and enjoy an early evening swim.... Personally, I find the water too cold at the best of times, but I am told it is quite refreshing for some.... We have pushbikes available for anyone who still uses pedal power!! We are over 200 metres (over 600') above sea level... so it is a gentle down hill ride of about 20-30 mins to the Village which is next to the ferry dock, but a bit of a challenge (to say the least) to cycle back home.... we will come and get you if you are out of breath!!!!
.....We welcome non smokers only.
We are also a Canadian Registered Charity (Missy Foundation - www.missyfoundation.org) whose mandate is to provide a final refuge for senior dogs who have been abandoned due to the death of their guardian, age or health issues. This means that they stay with us for the remainder of their lives....however long or short that may be. We make jam from the berries, and fruit grown, beet relish, and kale chips and sell those with the proceeds donated to "Missy" to help with our enormous veterinary expenses....
Sooo, obviously a prerequisite for EVERYONE contemplating a stay with us ------ an absolute affection and love for dogs....... we must also warn you.... caring for elderly dogs can be a challenge... 12 of these special pups live in the main house..... while the others have moved in with other residents on the property.... everyone resident on the property are very animal friendly and also welcome those pups who decide they want to move in!! If possible, we like to have at least one wwoofer who would like to help out with feeding and caring for these pups as their primary "job".... this does not preclude that person from helping out with the "farming" tasks, if desired..
Most of these these pups have endured both physical and psychological traumas of one kind or another, so they require lots of attention, love and freedom. We do NOT believe in or use cages at any time...
We currently have 22 four-legged residents, mostly seniors, aged 7 to 21 years. - all shapes and sizes, and breeds (or not!!), so you must absolutely love dogs!! Our canine residents have stayed with us as short as 6 days and as long as 6 1/2 years. The average length of stay is approx 2 years....
We welcome help with feeding, walking, and loving these amazing souls. This also means cleaning up after them.... our living room has become a central location for these pups, so there are multiple doggie cushions and beds... As you can imagine, the elderly pups do have accidents in the house, although that is much less prevalent during the summer when doors are open most of the time, and those who are mobile, can go outside....we do have a couple of incontinent dogs, and some whose eyesight is failing, along with some affected by dementia, as well as some chronic health issues....... Some portions of the floor area are covered with thick rubber, and the living room area floor is covered with washable pee-pads which are also covered with towels....which allows us to clean up accidents quickly and efficiently... there are vinegar (anti-bacterial) bottles placed everywhere so quick and efficient clean-up is possible.... everything is wiped down and disinfected as needed daily....needless to say, we do several loads of laundry daily as well...
Soooo, if you are still reading this and think you might enjoy a stay with us, we look forward to hosting you in our little corner of paradise!!!
Organic methods: we are not certified organic, but we do not use any pesticides or chemicals of any kind......
Certifications: We do not use any pesticides or chemicals of any kind.........
Current projects: growing fruits and veggies, making preserves, maintaining r, caring for senior dogs........
Internet access is available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
4.1
Hectares
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10
Acres
