Ways to get more people to Wheaton Labs

I listened to a podcast brainstorming how to attract more people to Wheaton Labs.  I don’t know where this should be posted but wanted to share my thoughts.  

I grew up in the city.  We lived in apartments, stayed indoors (I was a Latchkey Kid) and didn’t have access to the outdoors.  I was, however, a tomboy drawn to nature.  Went camping whenever possible, spent time outdoors and have gravitated more and more towards a Permie lifestyle my entire life without even knowing it.  I have chosen to learn many manual skills over the past 10+ years.  However, had I seen your establishment without having updated my skills, I would have wanted to come but been intimidated for lack of skills.  I’m more skilled now and still intimidated!  

Suggestion:  How can this still be a rather primitive experience but with “hand-holding” and “made easy” for city people (most people) so they can experience this feeling safe?  Nature isn’t something that is encouraged to experience in the city.  In fact, it seems we are taught that it is something to be feared.  Is there any way you can reassure folks about that/those fears?

Prices for the experiences seem very reasonable.  Reassurance for those completely inexperienced may draw more timid people who want to experience the lifestyle.

Do you sell approved homemade soaps, shampoos, conditioners?   I believe items are made on site, but can they be made available for sale, or share, to visitors?  I read that we needed to not have fragrance in our organic compostable toiletries.  I’m visiting soon but unsure exactly what to bring.  I know I can make my own but not everyone who would like to come is familiar with the process.  Plus, a larger audience could be reached if it were easier for them to come…they didn’t have to prep so much.  This may be an entirely new experience to some, and they may not know where to begin to find what they need to bring.  Are there threads with suggestions?

I will be coming out soon and am a bit nervous after reading about the facilities.  I’ve been backpacking before.  Do I need to bring my own food?  How much to eat the meals made there?  

Is water accessible for drinking, washing, bathing?  Do you have a handout with orientation info to email and handout upon arrival?

Do you have tours for vacationers?  Many older people want to participate but may not be able to.  Tours would introduce them to Permaculture.  They may be benefactors for Wheaton Labs and have progeny who are interested in Permaculture but don’t have the means to participate unless they are supported by their benefactors.  Introducing the benefactors to all the good Wheaton Labs has to offer without the need to “rough it” (many people don’t like to) will attract them.  Maybe they could stay in hotels in town and come up for the tours.

When attending an event, do we rent one of the spaces?  How much is that?  Is it the same price as the normal rentals?  Is there an orientation for guests?

I’m certain that there are many people who are fascinated by Wheaton Labs and all that you offer.  The put off may be how “roughing it” the experience is.  Ways to gently introduce people to this would open the experience up to an exponential number of people who already are interested in such experiences but too intimidated to participate.

Tina Wolf wrote:  I’m visiting soon but unsure exactly what to bring.  I know I can make my own but not everyone who would like to come is familiar with the process.  Plus, a larger audience could be reached if it were easier for them to come…they didn’t have to prep so much.  This may be an entirely new experience to some, and they may not know where to begin to find what they need to bring.  Are there threads with suggestions?

I will be coming out soon and am a bit nervous after reading about the facilities.  I’ve been backpacking before.  Do I need to bring my own food?  How much to eat the meals made there?  

Is water accessible for drinking, washing, bathing?  Do you have a

Do you have tours for vacationers?  ...

When attending an event, do we rent one of the spaces?  How much is that?  Is it the same price as the normal rentals?  Is there an orientation for guests?

I’m certain that there are many people who are fascinated by Wheaton Labs and all that you offer.  The put off may be how “roughing it” the experience is.  Ways to gently introduce people to this would open the experience up to an exponential number of people who already are interested in such experiences but too intimidated to participate.

Hi, Tina

Those are some great questions. I hope these will answer your questions and for other folks, too.

https://permies.com/t/190414/factory-women-thinking-coming-wheaton

Ways to earn money:

https://permies.com/wiki/118084/making-money-wheaton-labs

Here are a couple of threads about "what to bring":

https://permies.com/t/190028/Bring-Boots-footwear-specifics

https://permies.com/wiki/146186/what-to-bring

Where to stay:

https://permies.com/wiki/rentals

Tour?

https://permies.com/wiki/labs-summary

Programs:

https://permies.com/wiki/178360/hiring-gardener

https://permies.com/wiki/sepper

https://permies.com/wiki/bootcamp

Anne Miller wrote:

Hi, Tina

Those are some great questions. I hope these will answer your quests and for others folks.

Hi Anne, Thank you, this is great information.  Is there an orientation form/document with everything in one place?  I'm a fangirl so have no issue following each and every individual link for info.  Busy folks will probably give up by the second one with the feeling they have gone down a rabbit hole.  The discussion on the podcast was how to get more people to come to Wheaton Labs.  My primary suggestion is to make it easier for them to find all the information they need to make an informed choice to come for the experience.  Suggestions to cater to a larger audience.

I'm mainly talking about vacationers, visitors, those who want to see what is going on at Wheaton Labs.  I have looked around and there is an abundance of information for those wishing to work/trade in several different areas.  What I didn't see is a lot of information for the short-term vacationers like "Glamping" participants.  I believe when people can come up and see all the great work at Wheaton Labs they will want to participate more.  They will be encouraged to become more involved with permies.com.  They will have their creativity sparked by all the appropriate technology and being able to apply it locally.  They will be encouraged to participate in some of the PTC or even PEP events for the experience if they know what to expect during their stay.  My goal was to participate in the discussion (I'll find the podcast and list it) on how to bring more people to Wheaton Labs...not necessarily as Boots but more as SEPPs/tourists.   At least that is what I gleaned the goal was from Paul's podcast.

What to Bring when visiting Wheaton Labs

Nicole Alderman - I think this is a HUGE and important distinction. I think people often view Wheaton Labs as an event place. I know I did for a long time. And then one day I was sitting and chatting with Jocelyn and Paul, and it hit me, "How would I feel if I had people constantly in and around my house? In my kitchen? Camping on my land?" That was terrifying to think about! (I'm an introvert, so it was extra terrifying)

Wheaton Labs isn't just a cool place to learn and make awesome things happen. It's Paul's home. It's Jen and Fred and Josiah's home. I think the mental distinction between house guest and hotel guest is so important!

I would preface any document with this cultural advice.  

Paul's VAs (Virtual Assistants) have been so busy that one of them may have done something that I have missed.

Wheaton Labs is a big place of about 300 acres so there is lots to see and do.  I unfortunately have not been able to get there.

These YouTube might help:

https://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tour-labs

I might include a Glossary of terms at the end.  I just realized SEPP is pretty much a tourist...after reading Anne's post and reading thru a couple links.  It never occurred to me to look them up because I don't intend to visit long term.  So, I didn't come in contact with that info.

I learnt about Wheaton Labs, and more about permies.com, from Paul's interview on the Inside Community podcast, I love it its my fave podcast.  And even though I'd heard of permies.com  before I didn't know what it was or how relevent it was to me.  But now I'm clued in and think it would be fun to come and camp at Wheaton Labs sometime via SEPP.  Its affordible and looks like fun.  When will it happen?  I'm not sure, but honestly its sort of creeping onto my bucket list.