WWOOFING at Ruby Lake Resort
For the past two weeks, I’ve been living in a kind of paradise. Waking up to mist dusting the mountains like icing sugar, working out in the garden in the baking sun, eating as much fresh Italian fish and pasta as humanly possible. I’ve been volunteering – or
– at
, a hidden gem on Canada’s Sunshine Coast.
Erm…what on earth is WWOOFING?
That’s the general response I get when people ask what I’ve been up to, prompted by pictures of me wielding a trowel or being knee-deep in mud on social media.
WWOOFING stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. You offer your time and hard work in exchange for food and accommodation. Generally, no money changes hands. Phil and I have about six different WWOOFING places we’ll be staying and working at over the summer.
“Farms” is a loose term. You might find yourself planting and harvesting, looking after animals, or helping out with the running of the resort like we did. It’s a great way to experience a different way of life and get an insider’s look at a new place – all while saving money.
About Ruby Lake Resort
If you ever find yourself on the Sunshine Coast, seriously – make sure you check this place out. It’s a resort offering luxury cottages, safari tents and an authentic Italian restaurant, all set on a lagoon which is also a protected wildlife habitat (it’s home to beavers, turtles and all sorts of other rare critters) and of course the beautiful Ruby Lake – one of the warmest lakes in BC.
It’s been a labour of love by the Cogrossi family – Aldo Cogrossi is the proud owner and Head Chef who visited once and never left. The people who work here put their hearts and souls into the place – working crazy hours out of sheer passion for what is surely one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Canada so far.
If you’re looking to stay here, you can nab a rustic tent from $59-$99, or a cottage (some include kitchens, some don’t) for $129-$199. The restaurant specialises in local, ocean-wise ingredients and is beloved in the area for its authentic Italian approach and flavours. Order a steaming plate of seafood pasta and wash it down with a local wine, all while staring out at the sun setting on the lagoon. You really don’t get much better.
If you find yourself over-indulging (it’s hard not to when faced with Aldo’s infamous Tiramisu) there’s plenty of ways to work it off. Indulge in some lakeside yoga, or head out on to the lake on a
paddleboard or in a canoe. You can rent both from the resort office, and the lake offers plenty of beaches, rope swings and mini islands to explore.
There’s also lots to do around Ruby Lake. Local town Madeira Park offers everything you need, while nearby Skookumchuck Narrows provides a thrilling opportunity to watch some of the fastest whitewater rapids in the world as they build and dissipate. The best thing about the Sunshine Coast is how close everything is – Ruby Lake Lodge is a great base from which to enjoy everything the coast has to offer.
WWOOFING at Ruby Lake Lodge
But of course, I didn’t stay at the resort as a guest but as a volunteer. As a result my experience was a lot different, but no less enjoyable.
We spent two weeks living in the “WWOOFER” house with other volunteers (shout out to the amazing Cecile and Seb!) so when work was over, we all went swimming, played cards or just drank beer around the fire. Oh, and had awesome pancake breakfasts almost everyday.
It’s not a bad way to pass the time, really, and when you WWOOF you tend to meet other people who have the same mindset. That is, an open mind and an adventurous spirit. We also got to spend a lot of time with Sasha, the resort manager, as well as Aldo and his family. There’s a real tight-knit team running the show here, and it was an honour to be a part of it for a short while.
In terms of actual work, it was varied. One day I was checking the books, the next I was power-washing the decking, the next I was planting potatoes. As I guess is the case in a lot of WWOOF placements, it depended entirely on what needed doing. The variety was refreshing and it was great to see the running of the resort from every side.
My favourite activity was definitely the gardening. Getting to work with the gardener and learn all about how different flowers and vegetables grow, and watching first-hand as they thrived, was something I’d never done and I loved the novelty. There’s something lovely and humbling about getting down on your knees and working with the earth. With the sun on my back, I let the moist dirt crumble through my fingers as I prepared beds which would eventually grow the food eaten in the restaurant. I used all my strength to hack at the ground with a hoe for hour after an hour, enjoying the genuine fatigue in my muscles and dirt on my face. It’s honest and grounding work, in both a literal and metaphorical sense.
If you get a chance to volunteer here, go for it. The setting is gorgeous, the people are wonderful, and the work rewarding. I only wish we could have stayed longer. Thank you to everyone at Ruby Lake!
Our next stop? A fruit and veg farm in Squamish. Stay tuned to find out how we get on!
