Vue d'ensemble

• Description

  About me:

  I work for Heritage International. An organization that arranges student exchanges around the world. I am an area representative that finds suitable host families for students coming to the US from over 32 foreign countries. I work with the host families and incoming students to see that all goes well.

  Why I believe in workaway:

  At 19 years and like most young people I yearned for adventure in my life and decided to be a horse jockey. Where do you go when you have never ridden a horse and want to become a professional horse jockey? There was no "workaway.com" but I found a horse ranch willing to teach me to ride. I trained at that ranch for one year and then exercised horses at California race tracks for another 4 years. I won my first professional race in Ohio at age 24. Being too tall meant a strict diet and decided to retired after 3 years racing at the major tracks in the US. Those years training and racing were some of the best of my life. It was the adventure they make movies out of. I can tell endless stories of life on the race track.

  After racing horses it was back to college majoring in Theater Arts & Music at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

  My life in woodworking started at 8 or 9 years of age. Woodworking & building things came natural to me. After college I started a design/build home construction company complete with cabinet shop. I’ve hired many college students in my construction company and taught them, furniture and home building skills.

  I’m a motivational speaker, actively involved in Toast Masters International, the pubic speaking organization. I’ve been a key note speaker for large conventions and won awards for public speaking. Definitely can teach you skills that will improve your english and speaking whether you are communicating with one person or a large audience.

  I am a CMT, Massage Therapist having been Schooled in Monterey, Calif. at the Monterey Institute of Touch. I have a massage therapy practice in my home using Hot Stones, Swedish style, Shiatsu, Reflexology etc. I teach massage therapy and meditation. For years I have studied "Psychoimmunology", the study of the way the mind and emotions affect the immune system. The bottom line is that stress & unhappiness prevent the immune system from fighting disease efficiently. Massage therapy relieves stress both for the giver and receiver. I consider my massage training to be the most valuable of skills.

  I have been teaching swing dance at colleges and elementary schools over 12 years, East Coast Swing, Lindyhop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Boogie Woogie. Depending class schedule you may be able to assist in dance class teaching.

  Active in Couchsurfing since 2007 having hosted over 125 guests from around the world and be hosted by over 75 others. Will send references once you contact me.

  Was fortunate to have caring teachers and mentors in my life and wish to teach & mentor anyone seeking to learn new skills. I have volunteered in many areas, Suicide Prevention, Boy Scout leader and mentoring in general.

  Can teach Woodworking/ small house building, Swing Dancing, Holistic Massage therapy and public speaking.

  The property consists of 13 acres with a recently completed main house, a log cabin, which is my woodworking shop with large very nice guest room for workawayers.

  Will take time to explain about the different kinds of wood, mostly recycled, and how to best use each. You will learn about hand tools, small and and maybe some large power tools, how to use them correctly and safely. How to paint and finish furniture etc.

  In your time off there is nearby hiking, camping and canoe trips to the mountains and lakes. Many music, concerts, dancing and cultural event like theater to attend.

  Presently working on construction of a barn/garage, log cabin remodel and several smaller projects. Have heated woodshop for winter.

  My goal would be for you be amazed at what you have learned and accomplished.

  Would welcome someone to create a garden. I have a grand piano you are welcome to play.

  Address is Leicester, VT next to the forest, 12 miles south of Middlebury, a charming college town.

  The universe provides for those who dare to dream and take action to make those dreams come true.

• Type of help

  Gardening
  Building
  Cooking / shopping
  Help with Eco project
  Help in the house
  Language practise
  Art project
  Help with Computers / internet
  Teaching

• Help

  I seek a helper/student to assist in all kinds of building projects who also wishes to explore nature with hikes, camping, canoeing in nearby lakes and mountains.

  Depending on how much time you have I can teach any of the following:

  House construction, how to acquired and use recycled materials.
  Furniture & cabinet making, restoring old pieces
  Use of hand and small hand power tools
  Elements of good design.
  Can teach about massage therapy
  Can teach you to swing dance
  Improve your public speaking skills
  Grand piano available to play or learn to play

  Contact me with information about yourself, what you are seeking and questions.

• Languages spoken

  English

• Accommodation

  Accommodation is a large private guest room in a real log cabin Vermont style

  Healthy meals provided & fruit smoothies often. Can take turns preparing meals if you like to cook. Baking skills welcome.

  One out door cat, Tiger Ted who lives in the woodshop part of the log cabin. He will quickly fall in love with any visitor.

• What else …

  15 minutes from the charming college town of Middlebury which has be known to be one of the best places to live in America.

  Along with living rural, camping, hiking, canoeing… there is big city culture all around with theater, music, lectures etc. I’m an hour from Burlington, the largest city in the state. Vermont is famous for Church St in Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. I go into Burlington weekly or you can easily take the bus.

  I live off Route 7 the main highway on the bus route.
  There is much to do in the area. Live music, lakes, hiking etc. I have a canoe and two bikes. My property is private enclosed by trees yet close to everything.

• A little more information

  • Internet access

  • Limited internet access

  • We have pets

  • We are smokers

• >

  Volunteering hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week