Centro d'Ompio

OUR VIBE:
Are you looking for a home away from home, a place to stay and connect with other volunteers from around the world.
Here we consider ourselves a family and look out for each other both during our working hours and free time.
Our staff building is separate from the main center with its own facilities such as kitchen washing, machine, showers and a common space for fitness and yoga so its easy to disconnect and feel at ease during your free hours.

PLEASE NOTE:
during the Season all meals are provided in the main Centre which is a 15min walk uphill from the staff building so a basic level of fitness is essential otherwise we do keep some basic food such as pasta, rice and cereals in the staff building if you wish to stay down there and not walk up on your free time)

FREE TIME AND HOUSING:
During the season we like to have occasional social events and private dinners together along with poetry nights, music workshops, arts and crafts basically anything that brings us together (or take some time to yourself in your room) we also have two cats that will be happy to take it easy with you day or night, please take this into consideration if you have any allergies

THE AREA:
You can spend your free days hiking, exploring the surround area, there are some beautiful waterfalls along the main river close by (only a 30min walk) with many pools and hiking trails, not to mention lake Orta with its many beautiful villages to explore. There is a supermarket close by if you need anything extra (20min walk downhill to the lake)
There is a train station in walking distance also so you can travel further afield on your days off, only a 2 hour trip to Milan or Turino or a 5min train ride to the beautiful Village of Orta where you can walk through the scenic Italian cobbled streets and stop for a glass of wine or coffee by the breathtaking views from the lake side.

We’re located in the green hills, right by the village of Pratolungo. Surrounded by trees, plants, cats and peafowl, with the lake and the wild mountains as a breathtaking backdrop. For decades we’ve been fortunate to have helpers from across the world come here and be a part of our team, and together we’ve ensured that CENTRO D’OMPIO has developed into one of the leading international seminar centers. We’re known worldwide for our hospitality, joy and creativity. Each month, our small core staff welcomes between 5 – 10 helpers with different backgrounds, various ages, skills and nationalities to be part of our daily operation. You’ll get: VEGETARIAN FOOD (all served in the main Building at 8:30am, 13:30pm, 19:30pm) HOUSING (shared twin room in our rustic Italian farmhouse) LAUNDRY, SHOWERS (towels and laundry powder are provided) FREE WIFI (we are in the mountains and it can be very slow or non existent at times ) AMAZING NATURE FRIENDSHIP ACROSS NATIONS, CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS. Lodging is provided in our volunteer house, Casa Bisetti, a rustic, charming Italian farmhouse, just a fifteen minutes walk through the village and between a few farms from CENTRO D’OMPIO, this is a short but steep walk so please consider that we are in the mountains and good pair of shoes will help. At Casa Bisetti the rooms are shared, varying in sizes. (MAX x2 people per room) MAIN DUTIES : -DISHWASHING -KITCHEN HELP -HOUSEKEEPING -PUBLIC AREAS WHEN THINGS ARE LESS BUSY -CARPENTRY -GARDEN WORK -PAINTING -FORESTRY Among our frequent clients, we host private groups specializing in YOGA, MEDITATION, CONSCIOUSNESS TRAINING, when there are no sessions you are welcome to use the space to practice on your own or with the other volunteers. We also have a SWIMMING POOL that is absolutely refreshing on hot summer days. You'll work on a 5-5 schedule, five days a week for five hours. The rest of the time is yours. There is a work schedule printed each week for Mon to Fri so you can plan your time accordingly This is brief idea of what you'll have here (made by one of our best working guests): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCgXfnFx7uw Interested? Of course you are. Questions? We'll answer them.