Oftentimes when we hear the word volunteer we think we are headed to a food pantry, or maybe to fill sandbags, or maybe go on a mission trip - it is an opportunity to serve those around us… AND we maybe even consider it a time we give of ourselves, our time, and our money, and our personal gifts… without a return other than the joy the experience of serving brings us.
I’d like you to meet Dominic, one of our live-in volunteers.
Cow moving day…
Dominic is in his early 20s & joined us here at Camphill back in February 2023. He had been living quite the nomadic life ever since he had turned 18 & during that season he gained experience through farm apprenticeships at both vegetable & flower farms.
While he was working on a biodynamic farm he visited a retreat center in New York where he learned about Camphill as a whole. Due to Dominic’s desire & need to build a stronger social life and his experience with biodynamic farming, Camphill seemed like a good next step.
As he joined us in the village he expressed his hope to learn to love & care for people, how to channel his parental instinct, & how to have a family, all while embracing a desire for selflessness. And although this was his desire, he was also nervous about the process of loving others and that he’d resist being loved.
Dominic with Sara
We are currently about 9 months into Dominic’s time with us and it has been an absolute joy to see him embrace compassion, empathy, & his ability to nurture & love well. Although he has found this to be the most strenuous and stressful job he has ever done, it has also been very rewarding. He has found that due to how emotionally involved the work is that he has grown immensely on an emotional level, he has developed stronger social skills, learned the importance of how your words may impact each person differently, & how to be gentle yet sometimes firm. Alongside this he has found the importance of learning how to balance a schedule with personal time and embracing the ability to change habits in a nurturing environment. Dominic has found that loving some individuals comes instinctively while loving others takes choice & effort and that we can choose this. By living in a life-sharing environment Dominic has learned the importance of keeping the home a sacred space where people feel completely safe & loved. And finally, during his time here, he’s found direction.
Connection is something Dominic has been seeking throughout most of his life & by building one specific relationship here at Camphill, he was able to learn more about himself through what they saw in him. Ana expressed to Dominic that he may be good at Social Work. As he reflected on this, he thought about how the inner city & homeless situation bothered him when he was younger. He also thought about the 2 men who really impacted his life in high school - they were gentle and wise. They were also social workers. Being empathetic in nature, he hopes that he can employ this through the field of social work. He also desires to be of service to others who may struggle with loneliness. What a gift this connection has brought to him.
Dominic making flower bouquets with the community members in his house
This is the beauty of experiential learning - these are the lessons that take you through life in a way that allow you to create harmony & embrace joy along your path. We hope you are inspired to take a leap of faith in your life to learn & grow in ways that will transform not just your life, but other people's lives as well.
To learn more about volunteering at Camphill Village & how you are compensated/cared for go here:
In today’s world, a gap year is when someone takes a semester or a year off for experiential learning AND to take a break from academics. This can often be after high school prior to career or post-secondary education. However this is also very commonly done during or after the college years. My hope or goal is to help you see how taking a well planned gap year may increase your practical, professional, and personal awareness.
A well planned or structured Gap Year provides many opportunities of growth that will benefit an individual's life long term.
Studies show that people who take gap years are often much more satisfied with their careers because they have taken time to match their studies with real life experiences. Those who take a gap year build relational skills with others & oneself that are vital for life. The rekindling of one’s curiosity and ability to reflect adds the development of an increased self-awareness that is so valuable for a purposeful & happy life.
The experience and character development that happens during a gap year is more than you can get in any classroom. By adding a gap year of experiential learning & growth to your resume, you will place yourself ahead of the curve.
Camphill Village Minnesota is a life-sharing community of approximately 50 people. The community is made up of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities and others from all backgrounds who live & work together to create a life of beautiful purpose. All work follows the natural rhythm of nature’s seasons & life. Most of the village's food is farmed & harvested biodynamically right on the 500 acres they live on. It’s a life of caring for each other and caring for the earth.
You will have an opportunity to explore doing life with others. You will live life within a diverse community of various cultures & abilities that creates space for you to learn a lot about yourself & develop your own personal character in numerous ways.
This will:
Increase your ability to practice compassion
Create an understanding that rhythms & harmony of work & rest are important
Help you become a better communicator
Show you that embracing purposeful work is rewarding, even when exhausting.
You will have the opportunity for hands-on skills that can help you succeed in your career field.
Nursing
Agriculture
Social Work
Hospitality
Therapeutic Recreation
International Relations
Ministry/Missions
Arts & Handicrafting
Biology
Special Education
Occupational Therapy
Psychology
Counseling
And many more…
Although you will be considered a volunteer, you are compensated. This creates such security. Not only will we provide a private room, all your meals, & daily necessities, you will also receive a monthly stipend, plus if your student loans are due - we will make sure those payments are made on time, by us (up to a specific dollar amount).
The breather from academics is refreshing prior to entering the workforce.
Resume Builder - the hands-on experience will be a powerful addition to your resume, placing you ahead of other entry level candidates.
The atmosphere of Camphill Village Minnesota is refreshing & nurturing to the soul. The beauty of the land not only grounds you but brings life. You learn so much from individuals with disabilities - they love, embrace, and accept you in ways that teach us to do the same.
