3 month InTENTIONAL COMMUNITY immersion internship

The Lost Valley Intentional Community Immersion Internship

Lost Valley’s Internship is a 3 month immersive learning experience where participants have the opportunity to learn and work alongside some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest system thinkers. This education based opportunity offers front row seats in observing the process, procedure, and governance systems that have allowed our community to flourish for over 30 years.

This is a great option for you if you are in a transitional or learning period and are looking to

  • Make new like-minded friends

  • Develop marketable skills

  • Experience living in community

  • Lighten your footprint on the Earth

  • Acquire or increase your permaculture skills

  • Learn more inclusive ways of making group decisions

Interns are temporarily joining our Meadowsong Ecovillage community. This provides education by immersion in an intentional community, an understanding of our sociocracy-inspired governance system, practice in Non-Violent Communication, and an opportunity to study how the principles of Permaculture permeate all processes and procedures within the community. You will have a chance to participate in educational offerings and join community meetings so you can learn about our decision-making processes. Together we will cultivate the knowledge, skills and experience to help you successfully navigate community living while contributing to the creation of a socially and ecologically regenerative future. Minimum age to participate is 21.

Meals, lodging and educational classes are provided in exchange for 18-20 hrs/week in your chosen circle with a 3-month commitment.

2024 Terms:

January 8 - March 1 (Administrative Positions Only)

March 4 - May 24

Jun 3 - August 19

September 28 - December 14

If you have questions before submitting an application please reach out to: internshipcoordinator@lostvalley.org.

Please familiarize yourself with our community before applying.

Community Living Agreements, Non-Violent Communication, Consent Culture, Sociocracy-Inspired Governance

Our community values safety and we hope it gives you a sense of safety as well. We require a background check for each intern and resident. The total fee is $57 and is to be paid prior to application submission.

A $300 refundable Security Deposit is required after acceptance. This deposit will be returned within 30 days of completion of the program, with consideration of any deductions for damages or fees.

The ideal Applicant

  • Self-Motivated & Responsible

    Important traits we look for in candidates are maturity, drive and high levels of time-management skills. Program participants are capable of holding themselves accountable and approach conflict with curiousity and an open mind.

  • Enthusiastic about living in community

    Living in community means sharing a variety of common facilities for a lower environmental impact. Sharing helps interact in a meaningful way and builds community.

  • Observant

    The first rule of Permaculture is to observe before interacting. The participants who get the most out of the experience are the ones who are able to observe the community processes & procedures before seeking out its flaws. It is important to understand how things function before going straight to solutionizing.

  • Curious

    An attitude of being open-minded, curious, and receptive to new ways of thinking and learning supports getting the most out of the experience.

  • Service-oriented

    Being of service to others helps with a sense of fulfillment and gives the opportunity to be part of something bigger than oneself.

Internship Descriptions

Email internshipcoordinator@lostvalley.org for additional information or to ask clarifying questions about the experience.

 The internship application is extensive and includes many essay questions to help us determine fits for the community, the program and the specific-positions want. Be prepared to write answers to the essay questions in a separate document and copy and paste when ready.