Live in a Reconditioned Bus while Trading Labor for Housing in a Beautiful Setting
R.O.S.A Land, Rougemont, NC
Respite in the Round, an intimate retreat space and campground, welcomes folks interested in living on the land in rural North Carolina for short or long term throughout the year, trading labor for living space. Land Maven lives in a reconditioned bus named Sonny the Wonder Bus. Residents will have plenty of time to be with the land, rest or hone their own craft or skills.
IDEAL FIT : Land Mavens would offer skills for land tasks, or projects in-need In exchange for living in a 1993 International Bus (H=10 Ft, L=24 Ft, W=8 Ft) named Sonny the Wonder Bus.
ABOUT SONNY WONDER BUS : Bus is outfitted with interior custom wood paneling, full size custom made bed with linens, sink with running water, solar-powered electrical utility, Coleman two-burner camper stove, sun roof, wood stove and chimney with firewood, outdoor table and chairs. Fridge access and maker space in barn.
Strong desire to try the glamping off grid lifestyle aka living the Skoolie lifestyle
Owns vehicle for own transportation
Non-human companions welcome
Could accommodate 2 humans, depending on spacial needs
Access custom built bathhouse complete with compost toilet, outdoor shower, and dishwashing sink.
Laundry access
WIFI access on property but not in the bus; rural internet can be spotty
Scrap wood o’plenty for build projects
Barn is maker space or workshop available to maven; Use of tools, supplies, equipment.
Mini-fridge use & electricity available to charge higher voltage items in barn
Linens provided.
Opportunity to interact, respite and build with the R.O.S.A. land community and help steward or turn over Roundhouse for guests
It will be your responsibiity to Self Clean Sonny upon Check Out. Cleaning supplies provided.
BYO: Wifi Hotspot, cooler, additional solar array if have one.
SKILL EXCHANGE: Projects are deteremined according to interest and time of year. Self-directed land-based or garden projects are encouraged. Specific land tasks that are better accomplished with four arms / hands will be done in concert with Cox, Steward of the Respite. See Trade/Exchange Matrix to customize your own skills to share or projects to suggest. Prefer to offer $ for stay instead? Will gladly accept financial support!
Mavens-in-Residence will help out on the land and to run the campground. This position is being offered on an exchange basis offering short-term off-grid housing for stewardship and skills needed for running a small business in order to meet expenses and operate outside the Non-profit Industrial Complex.
We are situated rurally amidst a rare alluvial floodplain forest on the Upper Tar River in the Piedmont of North Carolina. All Land Mavens are expected to follow and adhere to the Respite’s Code of Conduct.
Respite in the Roundis a two-story treehouse turned land-based retreat offering individuals and small groups a place for rest, connection, creative making, grounding, and vision-setting. Stewarding 23 acres of Rare Occaneechi Saponi Alluvial (R.O.S.A.) land, shared with partner Handèwa Farms, Respite in the Round offers nature-based immersion for artists, healers, cultural organizers, and others scheming, resting, and scheming for our collective liberation. Our community is made up of Roundhouse guests, the Steward of the Respite, her R.O.S.A Land Maven partner, the Advisory Crew, Volunteer Friends of the Respite, and members and family of Handewa Farms. R.O.S.A. Land is co-owned by Kristen Cox (Steward of the Respite) and Kisha Jeffries (MK of Handewa Farms) for whom the land will be rematriated and bequeathed to, and for Black Indigenous land ownership and succession stewardship. The Respite strives to be a sanctuary, a safe-as-possible community space for LGBTQ, TGNC, and BIPOC.
INTERESTED INQUIRIES: Please send a letter describing interest, experience living off grid, copy of skills matrix, and desired timeframe of residency to respiteintheround@gmail.com. Notate Subject: Maven Residency position Interest. Tell us a bit more about yourself and your interest to come live, work and trade on R.O.S.A. land! A Walk on the Land (or Zoom conversation, if not local) will be the next step in the process.