Throughout the year we welcome volunteers and Work Away travellers to live and help at Woodland. Particularly over the months of the dry season (approx. from April to September), the Retreat is a busy and dynamic place with people coming and going - health guests, friends, visitors, volunteers, and students (in case of courses taking place). We can always need an extra hand working in the garden or helping to clean up the territory, especially the riversides. Construction or the kitchen are sometimes other areas where help is appreciated.
Food and accommodation
We offer three balanced, wholesome and tasty vegan meals a day. Please note that Woodland is no Raw Food retreat and that total Raw fooders might have to purchase extra fruit at the store in town according to personal consumption.
Accommodation is simple, in caravans or, for women, in a shared Ladies´ dorm. Camping in tents during the summer months may be a possibility in case the mentioned lodging options are already taken.
Working hours
For volunteers, work is from monday to friday, the rule being a 7 hours working day - 5 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. Besides, we ask for your help with the lunch dishes. Work in the morning beginns at 8 and ends at 13 o´clock. In the afternoon, work onset depends on the heat of the day. Usually, friday afternoon will be dedicated to the cleaning of rooms, cafeteria, toilets, kitchen, campus site etc.
Saturday is the day of rest at Woodland with no work taking place. In the morning we have a devotional and Bible study which everyone is free to join. Sunday is a normal work day for staff members, volunteers have this day off also.
Clothes and items you will need
Please bring the following with you:
- a warm sleeping bag (comfort range until -5 degrees Celsius)!
- bed sheet and travel pillow
- a head- or flashlight (there is no electricity in the caravans)
- sufficient casual clothes, as well as working clothes (including firm shoes) that you don´t mind getting dirty and eventually somewhat wasted. Take clothes that cover and protect you sufficiently (no tank tops and shorts; instead shirts/trousers/skirts that fairly cover your extremeties)
- flip-flops for the shower
- a cover for the head for sun protection
- important: warm clothes and a jacket for the morning and evening (here in the valley, similar to desert climates, the temperature drops significantly at night!)
- garden gloves
- we recommend a drinking bottle that doesn´t break easily
- if you come in april or october, bring a rain jacket (and possibly, rain trousers)
- pyjama, towel, toiletries, personal items...
- your own travel health insurance
As a christian health retreat, we seek to facilitate physical, mental and spiritual rest for our guests by providing an environment that is free from the exhausting noises, toxins and over-stimulations so prevalent in our day. For this reason, radio players, cigarettes and alcohol are not permitted on the campus. Please understand that we also ask for decent clothing in this context.
If you would like to visit Woodland as your next Work Away journey station, feel free to contact us any time! We enjoy receiving people from all places and backgrounds here at the Retreat, and it is our wish that you may gain a great experience that will inspire you on your further way.
Click here to read some of our volunteers´ Feedback on the Work Away page
