Lost Valley Educational Center is pioneering a new type of Spring Break experience this year, an educational vacation that reflects the social and environmental principles of discerning students. Set in an eco-village in the foothills of the Oregon Cascades, 'Permaculture Spring Break' combines merriment and relaxation with alternative, sustainable living.
Many university students today want to go beyond traditional Spring Break partying and debauchery to something more responsible and meaningful. When crossed with Lost Valley – an educational center and intentional community that promotes permaculture and other sustainable ways of being – what is born is a new model, a hybrid of environmental stewardship and wholesome fun: Permaculture Spring Break.
The week-long course runs from Sunday, March 20 through Saturday, March 26, 2011, onsite at Lost Valley Educational Center, 30 minutes outside Eugene, Oregon. Educational activities include: a tour of the site's 87 acres of forested land; an in-depth tour of gardens and land stewardship systems; light hands-on activities in permaculture gardening and eco-building; and introductory lessons in permaculture ethics and principles, sustainable shelter, and food & water strategies. Social activities include: drum circles, bonfires, cob oven pizza party, hot tub and sauna, and final party and talent show. Housing and three prepared meals per day of organic, local food are included in the package. Registration and further information are available on the organization's web page, www.lostvalley.org.
Lost Valley Educational Center is a 21-year-old intentional community of environmentally-minded individuals and families, as well as a 501(c)3 nonprofit conference center that sponsors and hosts courses in permaculture, organic gardening, green building, and related topics. Its students vary in age from 18 to retirees. This is the first year it is running a Spring Break course.
For more information about Lost Valley in general, see
http://www.lostvalley.org/. Students interested in an alternative, environmentally and socially positive version of Spring Break fun can learn more and register at
http://www.lostvalley.org/permaculture-spring-break.
