Sepper Program: Theme Weeks

paul wheaton wrote:round wood timber framing (nov 3-9)

wing walls at allerton abbey

a couple of spots in the berm shed could use some love

add to the pavillion?


what else?

Would be cool to make a couple covered tent pads, or a covered spot up on top of the caldera and other high-density camping areas.

Maybe a big ol timberframe shelter in front of the rolly door for the shop, over the slab with a few extra feet on all sides.

Might as well do one in the back too, over the picnic tables behind the shop and the dishwashing area.  Though we may have to relocate the solar dehydrators . . .

A pavillion at the Lab, maybe near the gate or Stephen's plot.  For waiting on shuttles and doing talky sessions up there.

a big part of theme weeks is to finish existing projects rather than start new projects.

paul wheaton wrote:a big part of theme weeks is to finish existing projects rather than start new projects.

That's fair, and good.

Might be cool to combine a few efforts into each theme week.  I believe it would add to the appeal.  

Finishing one project, maintaining one project, starting one project.

I think the "we're doing a new thing" appeal might be stronger for potential guests than "help us finish/fix a thing."

Rebekah Harmon wrote:Finishing the chicken pens! Let's get chickens at wheaton labs!!

Totally agree Rebekah.  And you can scythe dry grass for the nest boxes as well as scratch.
Turn the grass into mulch for heavy feeders.  Got my votes 👍

Right now, the thing most likely to bring me there (in spite of budget woes) would be the prospect of changing scenery, maybe meeting some new people, and getting away from the same-old, same-old that rules my life just now. What options do you have that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't require the strength of a 20-year-old, and maybe let me join in group activities like cooking?

Jerry Brown wrote:Right now, the thing most likely to bring me there (in spite of budget woes) would be the prospect of changing scenery, maybe meeting some new people, and getting away from the same-old, same-old that rules my life just now. What options do you have that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't require the strength of a 20-year-old, and maybe let me join in group activities like cooking?

Thanks Jerry, this is really great feedback.

Jerry Brown wrote:What options do you have that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't require the strength of a 20-year-old, and maybe let me join in group activities like cooking?

There is no fee outside of the SEPPer program (your lodging, you provide your organic food). https://permies.com/wiki/sepper - a cot sized bunk for 2 weeks is $250.

You can join group activities as little or as much as you like.

I don’t have enough PTO for any more trips this year, but I am planning to come one more time over a long weekend!

If there was a Thursday-Monday track, even a Friday-Sunday, sans butterfly days, that might entice me in the future.

Something like a "Weekend Worker" program for a shorter stay?
Maybe a similar “event pricing” discount?

Primarily for those who want to come and do cool things with less need for oversight, intervention, help, etc.

I’m planning to hunt down BBs over labor day weekend and, as has been said repeatedly, many BBs are to be found in the work that regularly needs doing. I can see a ton already in this year’s theme weeks.

Maybe in 2025 there are a list of projects people could work on more independently. “We want a tool shed, bench, deck combination right here at plum plateau” for example. And someone who wants those BBs comes and knocks that out.

Probably not a new suggestion and there's probably a good reason why... Things like the need for rest, building community, effort involved to support new people, distractibility, I'm sure the list goes on... but on the off chance no one has brought it up in a while, here I am :)

Clay McGowen wrote:
Something like a "Weekend Worker" program for a shorter stay?

Well ...  you have enough time here that you would keep yourself entertained.  But others will need guidance.

Rocket Theme Week is coming closer and closer!  It's the perfect opportunity to visit Wheaton Labs to learn about Rocket Mass Heaters.. And you get to play with cob!

Where is all this ?

Janet Sellers wrote:Where is all this ?

My place.  Wheaton labs.  Near missoula, montana.

how should we rsvp? I will make it to Wofatif Week, barring blizzards.Very excited! also, will there be a week to just help with random tasks? That was pretty fun last October, too. But 100% agree that a theme week focusing on finishing one main task at a time is the way to go if the goal is actually finishing prioritized projects at the lab!!!

paul wheaton wrote:loooooooong meeting with stephen.  

Here are the dates for our first ever theme weeks!

harvest (sep 15 to 21)

rocket     (october 6-12)

wofati (oct 20-26)

round wood timber framing (nov 3-9)

thanksgiving week (nov 24-30)

junk pole fence / dog pen (dec 8-14)

winter + christmas (dec 22-28)

nicholas thomas wrote:how should we rsvp? I will make it to Wofatif Week, barring blizzards.Very excited! also, will there be a week to just help with random tasks? That was pretty fun last October, too. But 100% agree that a theme week focusing on finishing one main task at a time is the way to go if the goal is actually finishing prioritized projects at the lab!!!

Hi Nicholas, all you have to do is go to the appropriate week page and reserve one of the accommodations from there. In your case, that would be Wofati week.

I believe the general workweek will happen when Jennifer Blackwelder is there from September 24th-October 5th.

Jeremy is correct.  Slap down your coin for a cabin and you are locked in!