---

INFORMATION SHEET
Purple Raven Farm
VFP-MTV06

(Between June and October – various length of stay allowed)

Ages 18-99

# of Volunteers needed (1-2 people)

WORK

This year we will be building a “Green Barn” which is an experiment in northern, cold climate
greenhouse heating. Our goal is to utilize a combination of sustainable greenhouse heating
techniques that we can demonstrate to others in cold climate situations as a viable and attractive
option while expanding our growing season and increasing our food production.
Our long-term goal here at Purple Raven Farm is to produce healthy food in ways that remain
resilient under growing climatic, resource and economic pressures so that we can continue to
produce food for those in need as we move into this future. We have a wide range of different
projects including,
Garden work, vegetable, herb and flower maintenance, wild herb harvesting, garden bed expansion
building, taking care of goats, trial building, wood harvesting, building a wood shed, composting,
mushroom cultivation, wood chipping, clay oven building, wild berry harvesting, rock moving, soil
building.

ACCOMMODATION
A tiny house. See www.purpleravenfarm.com for more details
LIESURE ACTIVITIES.
Canoeing, hiking, bicycling, arts and crafts, ping pong, firepit socializing, outdoor pizza making
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
You must send your arrival details to vfp@vfp.org so we can arrange to meet you. We can pick you
up from Ottawa airport.  The other option is to take a bus up here from Toronto if you fly into Toronto.
WHAT TO BRING
Essentials:
 Passport and a copy of your passport
 Required insurance: Volunteers must obtain health and accident insurance for the duration of
your travel and stay in the United States. This insurance must cover you for all medical
eventualities. You must bring all necessary documents, contact numbers, etc with you. (If you
cannot prove that you have insurance on arrival, you will not be allowed to take part in our
workcamps.) Some travel related insurance carriers are World Nomads, HTH Worldwide, and
Global Rescue LLC."
 Visa (if required)- be sure to make 2 copies: leave one at home and keep one with you in a
safe place
 Student ID for possible discounts at museums or when traveling
 Any necessary prescribed medication and a copy of your prescription, and your doctors
contact information (make sure to bring sufficient amounts of medication for the time you will
be away)
 Sleeping bag and mat
 Money/ Credit or Debit Card- Be sure to call your bank at home to tell them where and when
you are traveling.
Clothes:
 Work pants, t-shirts, gloves, work boots/shoes, hat, sunglasses
 Everyday Clothes & toiletries
 Rain jacket
 Sneakers
 Warm sweater/jacket
 Bathing suit
Other:
 Cell Phone- international calling cards can be bought in USA
 Camera
 Recipes! – You will be cooking so bring your favorite, easy recipes.
 Photos of home, family, and friends

 Games and Music
 Sunscreen & bug repellant
 Day pack
 Flashlight
 First Aid
 Spending money- Keep in mind that each person will spend different amounts, it is up to you to
decide how much money you are willing to spend and where it is spent. Each city has different
prices, so depending on the location of your project the costs might be more or less expensive.
Here is an estimate of prices:

Meal at a Restaurant: $10-$25
Slice of Pizza: $2-$5
Soda: $1.50
Museum Entrance: $7-$20
VFP VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
Volunteers are reminded that Dismas House is a shared living environment therefore it is
recommended not to bring valuable items, unless absolutely necessary. Volunteers should ensure
that they carry full insurance to cover both themselves (medical) and their possessions, as this is not
provided.
VFP hosts, staff and co-leaders work hard to ensure a rewarding and unforgettable experience in the
USA. Please read the following expectations below.
 Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. You are expected to be an
active member, contribute to the work project, assist with cooking and cleaning, and participate in
work and free-time activities. Please come prepared with recipes, photos, music, cultural
information, group games and other information and activities to share with other volunteers and
the community!
 Work activities will take place for about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Some days and
projects may have longer or shorter work periods depending on the weather, leadership,
motivation, availability of materials and other factors. Be flexible!
 VFP and your local hosts will provide many fun and cultural free-time activities during the project.
If volunteers decide to travel to a different location as a group or plan their own free-time
activities they will be responsible to cover the expenses. The camp leaders will be able to share
how much free-time activities will cost.
 Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help you plan activities,
understand your tasks, teach you how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to
solve all your problems! If you have concerns or issues please raise them with a leader and work
with the leader to engage the group in finding a solution that works for everyone!
 Volunteers are expected to live as a group. You are expected to stay for the entire duration of the
project and are not allowed to arrange your own activities and spend days or nights away from
the project.
 Smoking use is on the decline in the USA and in most of the communities where you are serving
you will not see people smoking. It is prohibited in many buildings and also public spaces. You
must be 18 years old to purchase cigarettes in the USA.
 The drinking age in the USA is 21 years old! It is illegal to purchase alcohol for a person
younger than 21. Excessive drinking is a major social problem and is an obstacle to overcoming
the social and economic problems that afflict the world community today. Please check with the

host regarding alcohol consumption where you are staying and if you choose to drink please be
responsible and only do so during free-time.
 Any illegal drug use is strictly forbidden.

ABOUT VOLUNTEERS FOR PEACE

Volunteers For Peace (VFP) is a US non-profit organization
founded in 1982 and located in Burlington, Vermont. Through
international voluntary service VFP promotes intercultural
education, service learning, and community development.
Each year we support local communities by organizing and
promoting about 20 short, medium and long-term service
projects in the USA and many projects in Haiti and Nicaragua.
We have exchanged over 31,000 volunteers worldwide and
offer over 3,000 projects in more than 100 countries around
the world. Through these projects, nations join together to
improve life on our planet. Our volunteers experience a
microcosm of our world within the international group of
volunteers, and communities are able to create goals that improve life for their members.
We provide opportunities for volunteers to build cultural understanding and connections around the
world while exploring grassroots community development and leadership roles. Volunteers will be
encouraged to learn, share and plan effective ways to address local and global challenges together.
Through these experiences, our volunteers gain valuable skills and an enhanced global
consciousness, which we believe will help them become citizen diplomats, global leaders, and
advocates for a more peaceful world! For more information visit our website at www.vfp.org.

HELPFUL WEBSITES
Visa Information: For the most up-to-date and accurate information volunteers should check with the
US Embassy in their country of residence for specific documentation requirements. To location the
embassy visit: http://www.usembassy.gov/
Virtual Tourist: www.virtualtourist.com - An informative site with information about locations
worldwide, written by independent travelers. A good source of information about places to visit,
places to avoid, and what to expect of the local culture.
Megabus: megabus.com- provides bus service in the United States and Canada. Tickets can be
purchased online, and are cheaper is purchased a couple weeks in advance.
Greyhound Bus: www.greyhound.com - provides bus services throughout the United States and
Canada. Discounts are available for students, and tickets are cheaper if purchased at least 7 days in
advance. Tickets can be booked online.
Amtrak Train: www.amtrak.com - train services within the US and Canada. Students can save 15%
on tickets if they have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Reservations can be made
online.

Local Weather: For local weather conditions check out http://www.weather.com. For area-specific
information, type the ZIP code, which can be found in the contact information section under the site
address, in the search key.
Hosteling International - American Youth Hostels: www.hiayh.org - The largest network of hostels
in the United States. Guests must become a member for a fee of $28 USD.