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The Garden Volunteer Application

Welcome earthling!

We receive dozens of requests to volunteer every month and we can't say yes to everyone. Please take your time to fill-out the form below so that we can make sure this is a good fit all around. We want to make sure that you have the best time, so that the Garden becomes full of humans doing meaningful work while having a great time :) ‭❤ Do not apply if you don’t have at least one of these skills: - sous chef / prep cook
- you love cleaning & organizing
- skilled carpentry/building - metalwork
- plumbing
- mechanics
- tree net maker
- forestry/permaculture

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𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 to the Garden!

Please read through this document carefully.  We will do the same with your answers :).  

This form used to be shorter, but we want to make sure this experience is the best fit for everyone!  The end result of our mutual 'fuck yes's' has been awesome.  

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We are a non-profit association based near Porto on an enchanted forest estate. It used to be an old wedding venue - we've taken it over to host workshops, build epic infrastructure in harmony with the land, host co-living residencies, and create experimental festivals.

This place is a work in progress and was semi-abandoned for years prior to its purchase in August 2021. This is an old estate and is laden with fruit and nut trees, water, granite, and moss.  

This form is intended to help you and us to have some clarity around our mutual expectations so your time here will be meaningful and fruitful! =]

We believe in a lifestyle of co-creation and a good balance of life - work - play.
We want to venture and experiment with people here based on the values of trust, communication & agency.

This is NOT an intentional community or traditional homestead/farm project, but instead an experimental space for connection and creation with self and other. A playground and work exchange where people can grow and bring new inspiration to their lives.

This form will hopefully help you have a meaningful time here and will create clarity of how to work/live/play here.

What to expect?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
In the colder months, we can provide you with a bed in a shared dorm. However, you're welcome to bring your own camper van, or if you are used to, and confident in sleeping in colder, wetter climates in a tent, you can bring your own. Our camping fields officially reopen on May 1st 2025. During the warmer months, we will provide you with a tent with bedding in our lower orchard surrounded by nature.
It's wonderful if you can bring your own sleeping bag so we don't have to do so much laundry after you leave.- When you check out of the tent (or other sleeping arrangement) make sure to clean after yourself and leave the items we let you borrow with care. This may include wiping down your tent, spot-cleaning areas of your tent, hanging bedding to air out / dry, taking your tent down, sweeping the floor, bringing your sheets to the laundry room, and folding it back to place if needed. What specifically needs to be done depends on a few variable factors, so please communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator your approximate day and time and the current season you plan on leaving so that you can manage your time. 
*we ask for a €50 deposit if you are borrowing a tent & will return it before your departure upon satisfying tent inspection Please note: We can host humans, but sadly not pets. You may be charged €€€ if you bring your animal without permission.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

There is a full operational industrial kitchen + a we supply 2-3 meals a day, on weekdays (weekends are usually DIY).   Most of them are local and organic! There are several communal shifts a week for all volunteers & residents living on site with us! These include cooking, dishes, toilet ninja, de-mooping, and deep clean, just to make sure we're living in a clean and fresh place. We will do our best to take care of your dietary needs, if there's any issue please don't hesitate to bring it up. (Most meals are vegetarian / vegan) Any luxuries or extras are for own account and can be labelled with your name if you want to keep them safe :)

How many hours am I expected to work?

We expect 𝟱 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 of work 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 5 days a week. You'll see the core team here working a lot more.  You're welcome to join us, but it's up to you :). Sometimes when there's festivals or big projects we all tend to work more, but you can decide for yourself if you want to take extra work & responsibility or stick to the 5 hours agreement. For some festivals, we may specify more hours as a part of build, but include a free ticket in exchange! Engagement during these times is totally optional.
Breakfast: DIY before your shift, Clean up before the morning meeting
Morning Meeting @9:30: Check-in and daily task assignments Morning shifts: 10:00-14:30
Lunch: 13.00
Dinner: 19.00
(Note that this is a rough schedule that may change depending on the season)
Outside of volunteering and the check-in, your time is yours! 
We encourage everyone to explore the space, find what they are passionate about and use our toys and tools in their free time, as long as things are treated respectfully.  
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:- Cooking meals- Cleaning up after meals & kitchen spaces- Cleaning toilets & showers- General upkeep as part of living together here
- Chopping wood- DIY and building projects
- Painting walls- Art projects- Gardening/pruning
- General maintenance

What is your full name?

What's your email?

Have you been here before?

Are you applying with anyone else?

If so, what's their name and what's your relationship with them?

Did someone refer you? How did you find out about us?

What's their name?/Where?

What's your #?

Arrival & Departure

We are currently looking for volunteers who would like to stay with us for 3-8 weeks. The first 1 week is a trial period so we can all make sure on both sides it's a great fit, then we are happy to extend your dates. We may not approve your application if it's just for 1 week.

When do want to arrive?

Many people pass through these gates and we're keeping the process as streamlined and simple as possible:

Possible Arrival Dates:
2025 (Tuesdays)
May: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
July: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
August: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
September: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 32rd, 30th
October: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
November: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
December: 2nd, 9th, 16th
You must arrive between noon and 5PM (12:00 to 17:00). No gate access will be provided before noon. I arrive:

When will you leave?

Minimum stay is 3 weeks. Your tent or dorm must be cleaned and ready and you must be off-site by 11am sharp. Possible Departure Dates:

2025 (Mondays)
May: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
June: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
July: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
August: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
September: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
October: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
November: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December: 3rd, 10th, 17t
These are the only possible departure dates! No exceptions <3. I depart:

Sometimes this doesn't work out and it's not the best fit, and either you want to leave early, or we will ask you to leave.  If you want to leave early, we'd ask for you to give one night's notice so we can plan accordingly.  Before you leave, you're expected to return everything we'd let you use for sleeping in a clean state. We will also give you one night's notice (at the absolute minimum). I agree to give one days notice, and understand I may be asked to leave if I break any of these agreements.

Where are you at in your life right now?

What's a question or questions you wished strangers asked you when trying to get to know you?

What's something you've created / built that you're proud of :)

What is your experience and approach to communication and conflict resolution?

This is not an intentional community!

We don't know of another place like this.  This is a creative and connective experience. You're invited to come here for inspiration and growth, but NOT to nest as a home base. 

Expect yourself to be challenged in new ways. We see this project as a long-term network & a nexus that is slowly growing and evolving year after year. A place that people come to from a place of enthusiasm, and to bring a new spark back to their nest/life/project/vision somewhere else.

At this point, we don't have the social or organizational infrastructure set up for collective governance and are focused on building out physical infrastructure and systems, and offering you space for play and art in your free time.
This is not an intentional community!
A
B

Just so we have it all in one place, could you share any technical skills here, or any specific projects you'd like to work on<3

What, if any, is your experience on a leader/manager role in groups on specific projects. Is this something you excel at, or enjoy?

Hypothetical: If some foxes are doctors and some doctors are purple, does it logically follow that foxes are purple?

What photo(s) of you best captures your essence?

What role do you find yourself playing groups?

If you added it all up, how much time have you spent outside your home country?

If you added it all up, how much time have you spent outside your home country?
A
B
C
D
E

What, if anything, is keeping you from living the life you want to live?

Are there any topics which are not OK to discuss?

What, if anything, does astrology mean to you?

What is your relationship with movement and embodiment?

What's your relationship with anger?

What do you need for us to provide you for sleeping?

If you can bring a sleeping bag, or your own set-up, that makes our life easier!
What do you need for us to provide you for sleeping?

Do you have a valid drivers license AND know how to drive manual cars (stick shift)?

Do you have a valid drivers license AND know how to drive manual cars (stick shift)?
A
B

Our meals are plant-based, with local butter & eggs provided. Do you have any allergies?

Anything else?

This is an alcohol and smoke free property. Do you consent?

This is an experiment against the default.  If you can't agree to this, this isn't the place for you.
This is an alcohol and smoke free property. Do you consent?
A
B

Do you agree to resolve issues directly with the person involved (Including the core team), or bring the issue to us directly if you don't feel comfortable communicating with the person involved?

We have zero tolerance for violence, sexual violence, or harrassment of any kind. Do you understand?

If there is any issue, please communicate with someone from the core team directly as soon as you feel comfortable.