In the face of the enormous changes our climate is undergoing, the time of simply consuming is behind us. Finding a different way of living takes practice, new choices, and conversations with others. Together, we can explore what this new way of life might look like and gradually give it shape.
Where better to do this than at Ecolonie? We invite you to help shape this beautiful place, which is constantly evolving, in a way that suits you. For example, you could lend a hand in the gardens, in the kitchen, or with preserving food. Or, if you prefer to prepare your own meals, you can choose to cook entirely with organic ingredients. You can make use of our own vegetables, eggs, cheese and dairy products, complemented by other organic products from our shop.
Can you already picture yourself here? Are you ready to take on this challenge and discover together with us what is possible?
Working together, growing together
Last year, our invitation to guests to lend a hand really paid off. Many enthusiastically joined in, helping out in the garden, with the washing-up, in the kitchen, picking and stripping basil, peeling garlic, washing eggs, and much more.
They told us how much they enjoyed contributing in this way and appreciated the credit they received in return. But what made the experience truly valuable for them was getting to know our community from the inside by actively taking part. The conversations that arose while working together, the new connections they made, and gaining a better understanding of all the work that goes on behind the scenes made it a truly special experience.
Children were just as enthusiastic as the adults. We had a particularly energetic group helping with the washing-up! Others lent a hand in the garden, helped transport luggage, or took care of all kinds of small jobs and useful tasks.
How does it work?
This year, you can once again actively contribute to Gaia Collectief Ecolonie during your stay. So here’s our invitation: lend a hand for a few hours during your stay — in the garden, with the washing-up, or in one of the many other places where an extra pair of hands is always welcome!
There is something to do for everyone aged 16 and over. Of course, we completely understand if your personal circumstances mean that helping out isn’t possible for you.
e very much hope you’ll respond positively. By taking part, we hope to make your stay at Ecolonie an even more enjoyable, meaningful and memorable experience!
Every week in the summer months, we will put a list of available tasks on the noticeboard. Most activities take place in two-hour shifts. We ask you to sign up in advance, so that we can coordinate your contribution with what is needed at that particular time.
If you have more time
If you feel like getting more involved and have the time to help out for a few hours a day over several days, there are also tasks that require a little more time to learn. Depending on your situation, skills and interests, we can look together at how you would like to contribute and what works best for everyone. Once you have worked more than 16 hours, you will receive a voucher worth €5 per hour worked. You can use this credit in our shop La Vie Verte, the Orangerie, the Teahouse, the Le Papillon workshop, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or towards your stay at Ecolonie.
For children aged 12 to 16, the minimum is 12 hours of work, for which they receive a credit of €2 per hour.
If you are interested in taking part in this way, please contact Els by email at els@ecolonie.eu.
We are counting on your enthusiasm and willingness to lend a hand, and we hope that, together, we can make your stay at Ecolonie another truly special and enjoyable experience.
Organic food
Caring for the earth also starts with what we eat. That’s why organic food is an important part of the way we live at Ecolonie. It’s not compulsory for our guests, but we do expect you to embrace this approach with us and consciously choose organic food during your stay.All meals served to our guests, as well as the food served at the Orangerie, are fully organic. Whenever possible, we use products from our own gardens, bakery, cheese dairy and chickens. What we cannot produce ourselves, we source from organic farmers, bakers and suppliers in the local area.
As a camping guest, you can also eat fully organic. Our shop offers a wide range of organic products, as well as seasonal vegetables, fruit and herbs from our own gardens, depending on availability.
Together, step by step, we put our vision into practice.