General Information
An internship at Lost Valley is an opportunity to increase and broaden your practical skills and experience community in a cooperative, supportive, and stimulating environment. We like to work with those who are excited about working, about confronting challenges with a positive attitude, about growing as human beings in relationship with others...people who are excited about learning, and taking responsibility for their own feelings and their own experience. As much as we value technical skills, we are a community that values a strong commitment to personal growth and honest communication. Living here you will learn how to work with others in relationship with the land; you will learn about your strengths and weaknesses; you may learn spiritual and emotional lessons just as valuable as the technical skills or knowledge you acquire--perhaps more so.
Our internships are work-focused, and intended to develop leadership and independent proficiency in an area you have prior skills and experience in. Our internships are not entry-level educational programs as much as leadership development opportunities. Much of your learning will be through the nuances, joys and challenges of day-to-day living in community.
Internship Hours and Duration
Interns work approximately 30 hours per week. Most of that time is in the primary internship, with occasional time spent in other areas or on special projects as requested by your program. Interns also participate in around 7 hours of community activities (cooking, cleaning and Intern Gatherings) per week, for a total time commitment of ~37 hours per week. All internships require occasional weekend work (within weekly hours) to support our conference center.
Lost Valley has internships available year-round, and applications are taken on a rolling basis, though certain positions are offered only during specific times of the year (see individual position descriptions for details). We have found that for most internships a 5-12 month stay best offers a chance to fully experience community life and to reach proficiency in the internship. Some positions have a shorter duration of 2-4 months, check the specific position descriptions for details. You are encouraged to send in an application even if the position(s) you are interested in is not currently available as sometimes spaces open up unexpectedly and you will then be contacted to see if you are availble to fill it.
We require some prior experience in the area of your choice (see individual position descriptions for details). The first two weeks are a trial period to see if things are likely to work out. Time off can be arranged, as long as it does not conflict with your responsibilities. Please note that no pets are allowed to accompany interns during their stay.
We offer these opportunities as a direct work exchange for room and board including fresh, all-organic vegetarian food (some of which is grown on-site!). Our summer housing is camping in our beautiful meadow. Fall through spring, some dormitory-style housing is available.
Interns can frequently participate in the wide variety of workshops hosted at Lost Valley and can take advantage of our incredible amenities - 87 acres of beautiful land with nature trails, creek with swimming hole, solar showers, DSL internet access, libraries, sacred meditation yurt...and more!
Packing List For Your Stay at Lost Valley
Things to bring, year-round:
Camping Gear- waterproof tent, ground cloth, 20-degree (or warmer) sleeping bag and mat, pillow, etc…
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries!
Daypack for hikes and other day trips
Towel and non-toxic toiletries
Water bottle
Battery-operated alarm clock (For waking up those early mornings!)
Notebook or journal- sturdy cover for notes in the garden, kitchen, or wherever
Calling card for long-distance phone use
Drums or other musical instruments, yoga mat, craft project materials (optional)
Costumes or fun dress-up clothes for special events (optional)
Bicycle and lock (If it is convenient to bring. If not, we have community bikes to use on the property)
Summer at Lost Valley:
Hot, sunny days, cool nights and occasional rain. Temps regularly as low as 45 at night and mostly 80’s or mid-90’s during the day. We have a very limited number of mosquitoes but lots of opportunities to meet poison oak (bring teknu or Oak Off! if you are allergic). There's a swimming hole in the creek and local hot springs. Plan accordingly and bring items you need to be comfortable, including:
Good, sturdy sun hat and sunglasses
Good supply of sunscreen
Sturdy working/walking/hiking shoes that breathe
Light clothes for hot weather, and some warmer ones for nighttime/cooler weather (it gets cold at night, even in summer!)
Rain jacket
Lightweight, long-sleeve shirts for sun protection
Sturdy work pants and work gloves
Swimsuit
Fall, Winter and Spring at Lost Valley:
Temperatures are variable- as low as mid-20’s at night, often between 30 and 65 degrees during the day. We have occasional snow, frequent rain, and occasional gorgeous sunny days. In other words, come prepared for anything!
A few essential items include:
Insulating layers- all kinds (warm shirts, long johns, fleece or wool sweaters, etc...), this is key to survival in the Pacific Northwest!
Other items to stay warm and dry: winter hats, insulated gloves, scarves, etc. (wool is great!)
Sturdy rain gear- jacket and pants
Sturdy work gloves
Rubber boots (or waterproof hiking boots if you prefer)
Sturdy work pants
Call or e-mail us if you have any questions!
Intern Orientation - Read this before coming please!
This community is our home and we are excited to share it with you! Over the course of many years, thousands of events participants and lots of consensus meetings, the Lost Valley Community has decided that the following considerations are important to a joyful integration of program participants and community.
Thank you for understanding and supporting our community and educational center. We, and many other communities, have found that clear agreements are one of the most essential aspects of sustainability for community living.
About Lost Valley: We are a developing ecovillage as well as a non-profit educational center. We are dedicated to the permaculture ethics of "Care of the Earth", "Care of the People", "Conscious Frugality", "Share the Surplus". We offer a wide variety of programs that support sustainable lifestyles, including hands-on permaculture courses, personal growth workshops, and wellness retreats. We also provide a supportive and nourishing environment for individuals and organizations who share our vision to hold their own meetings, retreats and workshops. About 30 adults and children live here.
Living Arrangements: All lodging is on a first-come, first-served basis with a limited number of rooms and is generally reserved for interns arriving Fall through Spring.
If housing is not available interns will camp. Camping is standard for interns arriving June through September. On occasion, interns in dormitory housing may be asked to temporarily relocate to accommodate conferences.
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. The Lodge is always open and you can go there anytime you want to talk or hang out. The small cabins between the lodge and the dorms are people’s homes, so please be mindful when you go by them in the evenings or early morning.
Weekly Schedule: Interns will be expected to be involved in activities approximately 35-40 hours per week, including occasional weekend work. Daily work hours and time off will be arranged with program coordinators. As part of their hours, all interns are required to participate in community kitchen shifts, love chores and “cleansing and creation” which is held every Thursday from 9-11 am, as well as the first half hour of the weekly Intern Gatherings which are held on Tuesdays from 1:30-3 pm. Interns are also encouraged to attend the weekly well-being meetings which are held on Tuesday evenings usually at 7 pm and invited to attend the purpose circle meetings every other Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm.
Meals: Meals are served in the lodge. During the week, lunch is at 12:30 pm and dinner is at 6:30 pm (6 pm on Tuesdays). Breakfasts may be served during conferences. Meal times may vary on conference weekends and for occasional meetings. Please help with cleanup whenever possible. On weekends with no conferences, all meals are self-serve. We expect you to clean up after yourself, put dishes away, and help keep the kitchen tidy over the weekend. The Monday lunch cooks and cleaners should not have to put weekend dishes away.
Kitchen: Interns will be responsible for three hours of kitchen duties per week (either one cook or two clean shifts). Many of the shifts will include cooking and cleaning for conference guests as well as the community. The conference guests are generally interesting and open people (from Permaculture students to progressive business groups). We encourage you to interact with them whenever you get a chance. You will receive a kitchen orientation at the beginning of your internship.
Phone Calls: We have a cob phone booth with an outside line. Local calls can be made at no charge. Long distance calls can be placed collect or with a calling card.
Dial 9 to get an outside line. We ask that all personal calls be placed to you at
(541) 937-2567 x128 and not to our business line.
Laundry: We have 2 washers and 2 dryers that you may use in our laundry facilities in the bathhouse between the dorms. We ask for $1 per load to cover the electric, water and detergent costs and $1 for machine drying per load. Please use our many clotheslines during summer months for drying your clothes. Do not put others' personal laundry in the dryers. Also, do not use Lost Valley towels for your personal use and do not take any dorm bedding outdoors.
Pets: If you have a pet, please make other arrangements for its care as we are unable to accommodate additional pets here at Lost Valley.
Drug and Alcohol Policy: While on Lost Valley Property, we ask interns and guests to abstain from drugs. The use of alcohol is permitted in respect and moderation and only in private spaces (and never during work shifts). There are occasional community events where gentle consumption is preapproved by purpose circle. We are looking to promote a safe and open place for people to grow and experience themselves. We ask that all interns respect these policies for the well-being of everyone.
Enjoying the Land: We have 87 acres that include several gardens, a meadow, a creek, a forest and a regenerating clearcut. Feel free to walk on the trails around the property as you wish, but we request that you stay on the paths and be very mindful of poison oak. Around the lodge, please stay on the gravel paths rather than walking across the lawn. We also ask that you do not pick any flowers or other materials without first consulting with the land team. Many of the wildflowers on this land are part of our native flora and we want to assure that they survive to produce seed.
Fire Prevention: Please do not burn candles or campfires in the meadow, unless specifically authorized by Lost Valley instructors, as there is a high risk of fire during drought periods and summer months. Glass containers focus the sun's rays and can quickly cause fire in dry summer months. Do not leave glass containers outdoors in summer, esp. in the meadow!
Punctuality: One of the ways that we measure our level of respect and connection in community is by how timely we are with each other. It is frustrating to be kept waiting or to start an activity late due to a few folks being late, so please be punctual. If you are running late we ask that you send word along with someone else so that we can get started without you.
Tool use/care: Collect all tools from work areas and return to their designated places when you are finished using them for the day. Please clean all tools, oil handles or blades if needed, and store them properly and safely.
Shop procedures: We ask that you do not work in our shop until you have been oriented. Talk to your area coordinator if you have questions concerning shop orientation or use of specific tools.
Bicycle Service Station: We have a great bike shop with tools and parts that you are free to use to service your bicycle. We enthusiastically support the use of bicycles as a fun and sustainable mode of transportation, as well as a great way to enjoy scenic tours of our neighborhood. Community-use bikes are recognizable by their electrical-tape spirals.
Liability and Medical Coverage: You are responsible for your own bodies. You are responsible for any personal injuries or damage to private property that may occur on or off Lost Valley property during your stay here. You will be asked to fill out a medical form when you arrive so that we have your insurance information (if you have insurance), allergies, contact information, etc. in case of emergency.
Visitors: Our lives encompass a diversity of work serving people, working with the land and caring for our families and each other. We have little time to coordinate guests of interns. You are welcome to have visitors in accordance with the Lost Valley Guest Policy. Housing and payment arrangements are made through the Visitor Coordinator. We ask that you announce the arrival of all guests prior to their arrival and alert the Visitor Coordinator . We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the property at any time if we feel it’s necessary for the welfare of the community. No visiting pets please.
Employment: Due to our full schedules here, interns are asked not to seek employment outside of LVEC during their program.
Vacation: Time off must be approved in advance by submitting a written request to your program heads and Intern Coordinator.
Leaving the Program: If there are irreconcilable differences between a participant and staff or community, we reserve the right to ask you to leave. Any money paid will be non-refundable in such circumstances.
Baseline Expectations for Common Areas:
*Living Spaces
- Keep common areas looking and smelling inviting
- Clear and clean tables
- Clean couches
- Clean floors/carpets
- Organized and accessable first aid supplies
- Neat and organizedbookcases
- Neat personal itemshttp://www.lostvalley.org/camassia/what-permaculture
*Bathrooms and Showers
- Clean showers of soap residue and hair after each use
- Empty bins when full, keep toliet paper stocked
- Store personal items in personal spaces
- Use the solar shower in the summer
- Conserve water - Turn off water when soaping up and brushing teeth. If its yellow, let it mellow
- Dry and clean floors after each use
*Campsites
- Neat and clean
- Only personal items in them
*Kitchens
- Look and smell inviting
- Counters are clean and clear
- Fridge is clean and leftovers older than five days are removed
- Floors cleaned
- Recycling and trash separated and removed when full
- Shelves stocked with appropriate supplies
- Additional kitchen notes:
Cooking/preparation of meat or fish is allowed in the guest house kitchen but is not allowed in the lodge kitchen which is our designated "Vegetarian Kitchen".
- If there is any food in the community refrigerators or storage areas labeled with a person's name or "conference", PLEASE DO NOT EAT IT.
You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself when you've prepared food and eaten in the kitchen. This includes putting leftovers away, washing all your dishes, wiping the counters clean, and any “little extras” you can do.
In Consideration of Others:
- Cellular phone use is limited to the parking lot.
- For tape and CD players, please use headphones.
- Bring ear plugs and/or nose guards if snoring is a problem.
- Smoking in the designated outdoor area only. All buildings are no smoking areas.
- The outdoor and guest house kitchens are always open and you can snack and store your own food there.
- Please do not bring pets, drugs or weapons to Lost Valley.
- We appreciate your assistance in conserving energy by turning off lights and heat behind you.
- Some residents are highly chemically sensitive, please use fragrance-free toiletries and cosmetics whenever possible. Bring lotions/roll-ons/oils only - no sprays, please.
****************************************************************************************************
Thank you for your time and interest in learning about our community. This helps us all have a great experience. We are looking forward to sharing our community, the land and this experience with you. If you have any questions, please contact our Intern Coordinator.
Download a copy of the Intern Orientation here.
Giving Contructive Feedback
(What we used to think of as criticism)
Download this handout on "Giving Constructive Feedback" here.
The Basics – There are only two good reasons to give constructive feedback: 1. to learn about the other person (and yourself) and, 2. to get more of what you want from the relationship. If you need emotional release go get a counseling session or scream into a pillow or call it something else, because it's not constructive feedback.
Judgmental criticism is when we make negative evaluations of another's personality or moral character. It is useless and destructive. There is no reason for you to give or receive judgmental criticism ever again, for the rest of your life. Judgmental criticism indicates that the problem is the other's personality and essence, not their behavior. Thus it is inaccurate, and usually brings forth a defensive reaction. It will often create a shame reaction in the other person. Shame is the greatest enemy of getting positive results while giving feedback.
Constructive feedback is alerting someone to:
1. Their specific behaviors
2. The effects of those behaviors
3. Your own emotional response
Setting the stage – A couple of tips to remember when sharing constructive feedback:
1. Make it private. Giving feedback in the presence of others will multiply the person's issues concerning what others think of them. It greatly enhances the chance of a shame reaction.
2. Ask permission. This accomplishes two things: First, it allows the person to tell you if they are too stressed or emotional or rushed to hear feedback. Second, it prepares them that something is coming. Many people who are just learning communication skills are better able to access them if given warning. This allows them time to observe and diffuse their defense reactions.
3. Give a compliment. If there is something you appreciate about this person, this is a good time to share it. This will send the message that it is not them you dislike, only some of their behaviors.
The Process
1. I SEE – Share the specific behaviors that you are reacting to. Rather than “You're lazy” say “You have only washed the dishes once in the last month”. Rather than “You're distant”, say “You don't touch me anymore when we see each other”. There are several reasons for this: First, others actions may mean something completely different than what we think they do. They may have a reason for doing something that we never imagined. Approaching them without judgment gives them the chance to share their motivations without feeling insulted or accused. If you tell someone they are lazy or not doing their share, they may take this to mean something different than you intended. Being specific honors the fact that we all think very differently. Second, specifics give them a sense of power to change. I can decide to do the dishes, but changing laziness is much more nebulous. It sounds like I would need to change my entire character, not just my behavior.
2. I FEEL – Next, share your emotional reaction in the purest form possible. Many people think that any sentence they begin with “I feel” is a feeling. “I feel you're a jerk” is not a feeling. “I feel you're never really with me” is not a feeling. These are evaluations. A feeling is what happens in my body in response to outward stimulus. It is totally about me. Some common feeling statements are: I'm hurt, I'm sad, I'm scared, I'm attracted, I'm ecstatic, I'm ashamed,
I'm angry. If a statement has the other person as the subject, it is not a feeling statement. If you cannot locate the feeling in your own body, then it is not a feeling.
The reason for sharing our feelings is that the great motivator for another to change is seeing our vulnerability. If another believes that we think they are bad, this does not change their behavior, it only makes them defensive. When we show them that their behaviors are powerful and affect us, and that they have the ability to change and affect us positively, that will often create change. Even when it does not, it will often create compassion rather than anger and defensiveness..
3. I THINK – This is the hardest of the four steps to master. When a person does something that we react to, it is not their action that creates our feelings but the set of thoughts that go through our head in response to their action. The one exception is a very direct action like physical violence. The reason we react to a specific act the way we do may be a complete mystery to the other person. It is in sharing our thought processes that the other gets to know us in a truly intimate way. Many conflicts never need to be negotiated. Once each person understands how the other person feels and thinks, the solution is often easy. What's challenging about this step is that oftentimes we're unclear about the thoughts behind our feelings. So, even for a person who is fairly aware of themselves this step can involve some work. Oftentimes I will need to spend some time getting clear about my thoughts before I bring my feedback to another person. However, sometimes it is in the back and forth of sharing with the other person that I discover underlying thoughts.
4. I WANT – Sometimes this step is not necessary and sharing my reaction is all that is needed, but if I want an active change from the other person then, just like with the I SEE step, I want to give them specific behaviors that that will give me what I want. Again, I want to give them behaviors, not personality traits to change, and I want to be specific enough that I know we are truly hearing one another and that they are not putting a different meaning to my words than I am. Rather than “I want you to be more considerate”, I'd say “Please call me if you are going to be more than 15 minutes late when we have plans”. There is no guarantee that another person will give me what I want, but stating it specifically is the best chance I have at getting results. I also want to share my desire as a request rather than a demand. Demands tend to create a defensive reaction and a power struggle. Requests give the other person the opportunity to make me happy.
What is life like as an intern at Lost Valley? An intern's perspective...
here is a letter one our interns sent to a dear friend.
Life has been lovely at Lost Valley. I find myself exactly where I have been wanting to be, every decision I have made has led me to where I am right now... As an intern I make no money whatsoever, and saying that, I am fed well, have shelter, am offered an abundance of learning opportunities, am surrounded by beautiful heart centered people who love me and care about me, I believe in what I am doing and the life I am creating.... What more could I really ask for?
I have been sleeping outside, on the edge of a meadow, tucked away under a canopy of big douglas firs.
At night before bed I peer above the dark outlines of trees, at the moon. 5 more days and it will be full. And the stars have been so bright. In the morning I wake up to the sound of bells. Ahh, breakfast. There is usually oatmeal, some days fried or scrambled eggs, some days pancakes with fresh wild blueberry syrup. We also get fresh organic local raw goat milk (And I help milk them 2 days a week!). yum yum. Mostly everything is organic. Every meal is wholesome, and always delicious.
My main interest here is learning learning learning... I now know 7 chords on the mandolin, and 5 on the guitar. Soon my friend here will teach me how to crochet. I've been practicing my hand stands. And juggling. I am learning what it means to live simply and in a healthy relationship with my environment- both nature and people. I am more sensitive to the energetics of those around me. My intuition is growing. Especially stronger is the depth of my understanding and compassion for myself. I am developing an ability to manifest the things I am needing. I am working hard, the days can be long, but we enjoy the work.
I want to learn how to live off the land, grow food, make shelter, clothing, and Lost Valley seems to be a great place to do just that... Aside from the daily experience, there have been opportunities to harvest seaweed from the coast, forage wild mushrooms in the forest, glean fruit at local farms, pick wild berries, learn food preservation like drying fruit or making jam, basket weaving, and so much more!
These past few nights I camped out on Elk Lake near Bend. We drove around much of the country side, and how beautiful it is! Cliffs, snow-covered mountains, windy rivers, lakes, farms...Tonight is my first night back and in Eugene there was a fun gathering in the streets, with drumming, and dance, and capoiera. There were lots of smiles and handstands.
I have been playing in the woods a lot, hiking the trails, picking blackberries, swimming in the creek...soaking in hot springs...watching meteor showers...doing yoga...taking saunas or sitting in the hot tub...planning a business...connecting on a deep level with my community.... Not long ago I was sitting with friends in the meadow, blanket wrapped around us, watching as the earth came in perfect alignment between the full moon and the sun. It was a magical eclipse, and the moon was deep deep red like mars. Again I ask, What more could I really ask for?
I have no idea what is in the theatres, newspaper, television... I am living in the culture that we are creating together. We dance. We sing. We hold hands before meals. We breath deeply. We play music. We host open mic's. We go into town together. We enjoy home-made beer over laughter and crafts. We circle in meetings. We play games. We laugh like children. We cry like children. We howl like madmen at the full moon.
I am in the space where I am doing what I know to be best for me, despite what others may think... I trust you know that same space within you....
At Lost Valley I experience truth, beauty, health, safety, and love.
Wishing you the same.
With love,
Jessi
To View a List of Internships, please visit this page
Apply for an Internship at Lost Valley here
