Profile information
Host rating
70 %
Last replied
14 Jul 2024
Feedback
61
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Details
Description
My name is Roxan and my Dad is named Gerry. Our life-goal at the moment is to build a house and a small cabin that are completely off-grid and completely self-sustaining using innovative ideas and materials at hand.
We live on beautiful Lasqueti Island, one of the more rural Gulf Islands in British Columbia. Here you will find an island that lives completely off-grid, no paved roads, no police, a strong sense of community, one small convenience store, one bar/restaurant/hotel/gas station all rolled into one, a Free Store, multiple cookie-stands run on the self-serve honor system, an arts center, eccentric characters, feral sheep, wild deer, billions of stars, gardens galore, houses and structures made in all shapes and forms by all different types of materials. Its an island to learn from, and to share your knowledge.
We would appreciate any help anybody has to offer and we are always looking for ideas of how to improve our structures, our ways of living, etc. We hope that it would be a mutual exchange of knowledge and wisdom.
Contact us for additional details; our hosting system is somewhat unusual. Please read our profile carefully, including our feedback, before making your decision to come to Lasqueti Island. Most recent arrivals to Lasqueti Island instantly love our little island... or instantly don't like it. It all depends on the type of person you are. And you know yourself the best.
Over the years, we have hosted over 100 WorkAwayers. Almost all of them came to Lasqueti Island for the same reason: to leave 'the grid' behind, just for a short time. To experience off-grid living, first-hand. To live, work, and play, in the forest. To synchronize with nature. To live off the land. To forget about money.
Having said that, almost all of the 100 WorkAwayers that we hosted, couldn't (or wouldn't) disconnect from the grid. They were drawn, uncontrollably, to the trappings of the on-grid world, available in the small town located on Lasqueti Island. Immediately after work they hurried downtown in search of nicotine, caffeine, sugar, salty snacks, alcohol, wifi, FaceBook, and of course, people. There are many places they could have gone. They chose downtown. Every single day.
However, a small percentage of the 100 WorkAwayers didn't leave our 10-acre forested 'estate' even once, during their entire 10-day stay. They were happy to leave behind the grid, for a short time. They realized that they had continuous access to many stores, shops, bars and restaurants, almost every day of their life. Why not take the opportunity to live without them? For a short time. Why not live, work, and play, in the forest? For 10 days. Then, return to 'the real world'. And let the spending spree continue. Of course we don't expect WorkAwayers to never leave our land (we encourage you to explore our island)... but we feel that if you need a constant supply of store-bought products, you're coming to the wrong place.
In order to maintain our small social 'bubble', we would prefer to host those who can (and will) live, work, and play, in the lush rainforest of coastal British Columbia. You decide whether you can do it. Or not. If you want to try, contact us to apply. We'd be happy to hear from you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Teaching
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
From our land, a volunteer could learn to build simple structures out of re-purposed/recycled materials, learn to live life off-grid, learn about different modes of gathering energy, get closer to nature, learn to identify the different types of wood and lumber in the Pacific Northwest, learn about beach-combing and boating, learn how to hand-split cedar shakes, how to install shakes, learn about organic gardening, etc. Learn that a fun, healthy, and entertaining life is available without the use of money.
Help
We own 10 acres of forested Pacific Northwest land and we try our best to tread lightly and keep it in a close-to natural state. Most of our building work is done by human-power, which means no big digging machines scarring the earth. Humans will do lots of wheel-barrowing, shovel-digging, wood chopping activities. In particular, we are looking for people that can split firewood with an axe, use a wheelbarrow to move the split firewood, and finally stack the firewood in the designated location. Your level of 'attention to detail' and ability to follow simple instructions may determine your fate and length of stay.
We also have a large garden that we maintain throughout the year and are constantly looking for ways to maximize our crops and for different types of fruits and vegetables to plant, etc. Watering the garden and harvesting vegetables to eat is a common activity.
Cooking is another skill that is useful here. We have primitive cooking facilities (woodstove top and two propane burners) and we try to eat as much as possible from the garden. This may require getting creative with meals (mostly vegetarian).
Most of our days are easy going and simple. Wake up when the sun rises to be in tune with nature, eat breakfast, work for a couple of hours, take an hour for lunch, then a few more hours of work in the afternoon. Then relax for the evening and dinner. Afterwards, explore the island. Or, if you prefer, enjoy the solitude and seclusion of the surrounding forest.
This is our ninth year of hosting WorkAwayers! So far we have hosted over 100 WorkAwayers from many countries around the world.
We had many wondrous and joyous experiences with almost all of the WorkAwayers we hosted, and even developed some great long-lasting friendships in the process.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: IntermediateThis 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
We have rooms in rustic cabins, and we also have plenty of secluded spots on the forest floor for tents.
As for a bathroom, we have an outhouse and a shower (cold water only). There's hot showers nearby, in case you can't handle the cold water.
What else ...
As mentioned, there are plenty of things to do on Lasqueti. Lots of beaches to swim at, hiking, beachcombing, caving, etc.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Off grid power supply runs our internet system; solar panels. Therefore, when the sun doesn't shine... no internet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (26)
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.0)
Top tip! If you don't like being lost in the dark then don't go on the Mt Trematon sunset hike or into the cave!
There are so many fantastic things about staying at Gerry's.
Gerry is hugely knowledgable and has a unique perspective on the off grid life. Everywhere else I've been off grid has required significant… read more
There was only one other volunteer… read more
I wish you all the best!
Emma
The work here… read more
People… read more
Gerry's may throw you for a loop (or two, if you're lucky... on a good beach comb). Come prepared, open,… read more
Lasqueti is a fairy tale island where people try and live in harmony with mother nature. Gerry completes this ferry tale with his charmingly eccentric personality and equally charming tales of his adventurous life and time on Lasqueti.
Gerry's has the mentality of why buy something when you can find or make it… read more
I have so much gratitude for this experience. Thanks a lot!… read more
We had a lot of freedom and had to learn to help one and other, which was nice, sometimes challenging.
We had great meals, that we often created ourselves. And we had enough time to explore the island and meet real island characters. Strong people.… read more
This is the place to go if you want a hardcore adventure experience.… read more
I want to encourage all the people who is reading this project to go there, is a magic place! the forest around... breathe! and roxan, sean and gerry are so welcome people! as well the… read more
