We received the following email today, Feb 5, 2016:
"Cascade Mountain Ranch Retreat & Conference Center here in southern Oregon invites RVers to join us as hosts at the ranch. Generally couples come, hook up, and host the many retreats, do light work, join the volunteers in caring for things, and also take time to enjoy the beauty of the area. It's always nice to have two couple here at a time. We like couples to stay at least nine months to a year. We are seeking two new couples at this time. Our other couples are both leaving because of health issues which has been difficult. They have been with the retreat for a long time. It is both a church and family retreat. If you are interested in this kind of work in your RV adventures, please call carol at 541-890-8437 or write us at getaway@usa.com. Bless you for your consideration. Jeff Shelton, Director."
Terry and Jo said
08:49 PM Feb 14, 2016
Jo and I have been communicating with Carol and Jeff at Cascade Mountain Ranch Retreat. They have offered and we have accepted a position at their facility. When we asked about it, we were told that it is a Christian based ministry with two large lodges at which they have family reunions, wedding and receptions, and church gatherings. The work is all volunteer work, but in our case, it will actually save us money in the long run.
I asked a bunch of questions and found out the following:
RV site is free.
All of the utilities that are included free: water, sewer, electric, gas hook-up to tank (LPG), Direct TV, WiFi, and a Ranch cell for guests to call
Hours worked are dependent upon guest schedules, but they average around 20 hours per week per person of each couple. They do their best to get everyone at least 2 days off a week. They would like for any volunteer couples to commit for at least 9 months to a year.
They do cook some for the retreats, so at least one person of a couple might be expected to help on those occasions.
The work is really flexible .. feeding the animals each day, washing sheets and towels when guests depart (so the "team" can make beds and clean quickly the next day, Tuesdays are the big cleaning volunteer day during the school year) ... chopping firewood, fixing a chair ... they try to flex around ones skills in the maintenance area.
Dress code is casual ... Jeans are fine
Hosting guests/retreats is that fine line of warm and friendly ... But then invisible except when they need you!
At the moment, we are scheduled to take the one RV site that has 50 amp, and the other one for a volunteer couple would currently be 30 amp, but in a phone conversation today, it was mentioned that they would be looking into converting at least one more site to 50 amp for the retreat volunteer couple.
As I said, I asked a bunch of questions and didn't get a single answer that I didn't like. So, if anyone has an interest in the second volunteer couple positions, don't hesitate to call or e-mail and ask your own questions. As for Jo and I, we are excited to be going and have committed for one year.
Terry
CurveCarver said
10:00 AM Feb 15, 2016
WOW, good for you Terry and Jo. Thanks for the insight about what sounds like a wonderful opportunity for couples.
Best wishes on your new adventure. ;<)
Ckerr said
09:29 AM Feb 18, 2016
Sounds like it will be a good fit. Keep us posted
Dave Buck said
06:29 PM Feb 18, 2016
Terry, Sounds good. Something we would like but we don't usually spend more than about 3 months at a location. Hope everything works out for you. Keep us informed as to how things are going.
Terry and Jo said
12:59 AM Jun 13, 2017
Since we were asked to keep things posted as to our service here in SW Oregon, I have to admit that I have failed miserably in doing that. So, now I'll try to make amends.
We enjoyed our first year, which seemed to go very fast. When we came here, we actually planned to stay at least a year and a half because that would get the Ranch past the busy season before someone had to find replacement hosts. At present, we have guests scheduled for every weekend up to and into October. Since we do not have any RV site rent or utilities, those savings are going to get rid of a few more debts that we have. The people here are very nice and dealing with the guests is mostly a pleasure. Enough so, that with the cost savings and the desire to complete a few things that are on our "radar," we are going to probably stay another year and a half, likely leaving in the fall of 2018.
While our time usually amounts to a bit more than 20 hours per week, especially in my case, we find it pleasant to be doing something we like, and the owners keep telling us they want us to stay. I never mentioned this before, but we are on a 50 acre property of trees and meadows, and we experience a lot of solitude and peace and quiet. Even when guests are on the Ranch, it is still basically quiet.
The California Redwoods (80 miles away) and the Oregon coastline are all beautiful. The owners of the Ranch also have a beach house in Waldport, OR, and we got to stay there for about 4 or 5 days in May for free. While I have learned that I NEVER want to have a beach house, I wouldn't mind going back over for a few more days.
Terry
NWescapee said
10:55 AM Jun 13, 2017
Glad to hear you're enjoying Oregon!! We keep thinking we need to stop in southern OR again, but so far our travel plans have either had us going east of the Cascades or this year just waving on our way north as we drove through a couple of weeks ago with a one week stop in Eugene. Have fun!
We received the following email today, Feb 5, 2016:
"Cascade Mountain Ranch Retreat & Conference Center here in southern Oregon invites RVers to join us as hosts at the ranch. Generally couples come, hook up, and host the many retreats, do light work, join the volunteers in caring for things, and also take time to enjoy the beauty of the area. It's always nice to have two couple here at a time. We like couples to stay at least nine months to a year. We are seeking two new couples at this time. Our other couples are both leaving because of health issues which has been difficult. They have been with the retreat for a long time. It is both a church and family retreat. If you are interested in this kind of work in your RV adventures, please call carol at 541-890-8437 or write us at getaway@usa.com. Bless you for your consideration. Jeff Shelton, Director."
Jo and I have been communicating with Carol and Jeff at Cascade Mountain Ranch Retreat. They have offered and we have accepted a position at their facility. When we asked about it, we were told that it is a Christian based ministry with two large lodges at which they have family reunions, wedding and receptions, and church gatherings. The work is all volunteer work, but in our case, it will actually save us money in the long run.
I asked a bunch of questions and found out the following:
RV site is free.
All of the utilities that are included free: water, sewer, electric, gas hook-up to tank (LPG), Direct TV, WiFi, and a Ranch cell for guests to call
Hours worked are dependent upon guest schedules, but they average around 20 hours per week per person of each couple. They do their best to get everyone at least 2 days off a week. They would like for any volunteer couples to commit for at least 9 months to a year.
They do cook some for the retreats, so at least one person of a couple might be expected to help on those occasions.
The work is really flexible .. feeding the animals each day, washing sheets and towels when guests depart (so the "team" can make beds and clean quickly the next day, Tuesdays are the big cleaning volunteer day during the school year) ... chopping firewood, fixing a chair ... they try to flex around ones skills in the maintenance area.
Dress code is casual ... Jeans are fine
Hosting guests/retreats is that fine line of warm and friendly ... But then invisible except when they need you!
At the moment, we are scheduled to take the one RV site that has 50 amp, and the other one for a volunteer couple would currently be 30 amp, but in a phone conversation today, it was mentioned that they would be looking into converting at least one more site to 50 amp for the retreat volunteer couple.
As I said, I asked a bunch of questions and didn't get a single answer that I didn't like. So, if anyone has an interest in the second volunteer couple positions, don't hesitate to call or e-mail and ask your own questions. As for Jo and I, we are excited to be going and have committed for one year.
Terry
Best wishes on your new adventure. ;<)
Since we were asked to keep things posted as to our service here in SW Oregon, I have to admit that I have failed miserably in doing that. So, now I'll try to make amends.
We enjoyed our first year, which seemed to go very fast. When we came here, we actually planned to stay at least a year and a half because that would get the Ranch past the busy season before someone had to find replacement hosts. At present, we have guests scheduled for every weekend up to and into October. Since we do not have any RV site rent or utilities, those savings are going to get rid of a few more debts that we have. The people here are very nice and dealing with the guests is mostly a pleasure. Enough so, that with the cost savings and the desire to complete a few things that are on our "radar," we are going to probably stay another year and a half, likely leaving in the fall of 2018.
While our time usually amounts to a bit more than 20 hours per week, especially in my case, we find it pleasant to be doing something we like, and the owners keep telling us they want us to stay. I never mentioned this before, but we are on a 50 acre property of trees and meadows, and we experience a lot of solitude and peace and quiet. Even when guests are on the Ranch, it is still basically quiet.
The California Redwoods (80 miles away) and the Oregon coastline are all beautiful. The owners of the Ranch also have a beach house in Waldport, OR, and we got to stay there for about 4 or 5 days in May for free. While I have learned that I NEVER want to have a beach house, I wouldn't mind going back over for a few more days.
Terry