Cara Creek Eco Lodge

Hello, and thanks for your interest in reading more about us:-)!

Short summary:
Our project is a sustainably built and functional off grid retreat centre located in a valley where 2 rivers meet and not far from the Serra da Estrela Mountain Range (the highest point of mainland Portugal) which makes for dramatic beauty in nature. Since 2017 we have welcomed volunteers to help us build, expand, and maintain the retreat centre…. It has been a pleasure to meet so many beautiful people from across the globe and we’re really grateful for all the helping hands!

Volunteers enjoy the complete immersion in nature and get to learn about what is involved in living & working off grid. Attending Yoga classes during their time here is a happy bonus for many! They enjoy exploring the area on their days off... Hiking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, visiting the local sites and markets etc.

Winter time jobs (Nov-Mar)
Our low season for retreats etc… Tasks may include land clearing/landscaping, planting trees, developing the kitchen garden, building/expanding, preparing firewood, and maintaining facilities like our biological swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub. We will have the occasional retreat when we’ll need help in the kitchen, cleaning and accommodating guests.
A 2 week minimum commitment during these months is essential.

Summer time jobs (Apr-Oct)
Our busy season for retreats etc… Tasks may include cleaning spaces (room change overs, communal spaces used by the guests, toilets & showers), pool cleaning/maintenance, help in the kitchen - we have a chef, gardening, building/expanding, preparing firewood. The main focus is around keeping the space clean & nice for the retreats.
A 4 week minimum commitment during these months is essential.

About US! Ashley - Yoga Teacher/Yoga Therapist and Lead Facilitator of 200 Hour RYS Yoga Teacher Trainings. Her background is working as a pediatric critical care nurse in the USA where she is from. After experiencing burnout, she took a break from nursing to travel around Central and South America for about 6 months where she got together with Rory. Rory - Civil Engineer and Natural Builder who specializes in timber frames and originally from Ireland. His background is working as an Engineer in various roles, volunteering in Guatemala building eco friendly homes for families, and opening a couple of tourism businesses in Guatemala. Together, we moved to Portugal (in 2017) and bought this river front property with dreams of transforming it into something that would be benefit the land itself plus would provide a gorgeous space in nature for people to heal and enjoy. With the help of many, we've managed the invasive/non-native tree forest and have planted many native ones, built all of the buildings for the retreat centre and our home from natural materials, and opened for business as a retreat centre in 2019. We've hosted a variety of retreats, workshops and Yoga Teacher Trainings. We now tend to have groups come from abroad here to rent the venue for their retreats and trainings. Ashley runs a 3 week long Yoga Teacher Training during the year, and offers Yoga classes to the community. These community classes, you are welcome to join! Volunteers have accommodation in one of Cara Creek’s accommodations. The retreat chef cooks for volunteers when retreats are in progress (April-October). Volunteers have access to the main kitchen to prepare their meals when retreats are not in progress. Life here is communal, and as part of the Cara Creek team there is an element of space holding involved for the retreat groups. A requirement is that oncoming volunteers are happy with this communal and retreat vibe style of living. Off Grid: We use Solar Power and so things that use a lot of electricity cannot be used if the sun is not there. Spaces are heated with a wood burning stove, and the water comes from the land so we ask it is conserved (less than 5min showers etc). Accommodation: In one of Cara Creek’s accommodations. This is a spacious canvas tent with a single or double bed. There is no electricity and no heating in the tents, but there are plenty of blankets. *The winter can get very cold and wet so please be prepared, both physically and mentally, for the weather Bathrooms: Shared bathrooms (3 flushing, 1 compost), hot showers. Note: Rory and I live a healthy and yogic type lifestyle and personally do not drink alcohol. The venue is alcohol and drug free. There is a section for smoking. We aim to maintain a healthy and peaceful environment for all staying. Food is usually vegan/vegetarian but Rory does occasionally eat meat. What you can expect from us: -accommodation and communal living as described above -2 full consecutive days off to explore the area or relax here -access to yoga classes (normally offered on a weekly (sometimes more) basis) -Time off can be spent swimming in the rivers and hiking the local trails as well as the use of paddle boards. What we expect from you: -20 to 25 hours per week, with 2 consecutive days off per week. (avg. 4-5 hours/day) -Outside of those hours, pitching in to keep our shared spaces clean and share the cooking duties -Respect of the spaces - both the retreat centre and the communal house -fluent in English and/or Portuguese. If you have any questions about our project, us, the work, the living or anything... please ask! **Perks to staying long-term: -opportunities to learn timer frame building and other natural building techniques with Rory -get to know the area and alternative community in which we are located in like a local! -if you're a yoga teacher or wellness provider, opportunities to offer classes and workshops in the community