Opportunity Details
Learn to Build w/Natural Materials! (age 8+) Referral
Join PCC Sylvania’s Village Building Convergence project, May 25th - June 3rd, as we create a home worm bins in our Learning Garden. Volunteers will learn how to use natural building techniques, including straw clay, cob, and cord wood construction.
Enjoy daily delicious meals and snacks, learn new skills in our workshops, and create community while building an awesome Worm Villa together!
For more details, read through the schedule below. Interested in getting involved? Click "Express Interest" at the bottom of this page to have someone follow up with you and confirm your volunteer shift!
Volunteer and Workshop Schedule
Cob, straw clay, and cord wood building will take place each day, including construction, sculpture, and art. Delicious and healthy lunches and snacks will be available daily for all volunteers!
Friday, May 25
10am to 5pm - VBC Kick-off!
Learn how to design and help build a sturdy foundation for light straw clay & cordwood walls using primarily salvaged and natural materials such as stone, wood & urbanite.
Saturday, May 26
9am to 5pm - Foundation Building, Cob Mixing & Cordwood Prep
10am to 12pm - Workshop: Natural Building Fundamentals
Introduction to general design and detailing principles for building small structures using natural materials; using the worm villa as a case study. Foundations, wall systems, roof details and plastering options will be briefly discussed by natural builder Casey Slezak, then put into practice as the construction commences.
Sunday, May 27
10am to 5pm - Stacking Cordwood Walls, Mixing Cob
1pm to 3pm - Workshop: Wine Bottle Windows
Ever wonder how wine bottles can be cut, fused, and incorporated into buildings? Here’s your chance to learn how! Kim Smith will teach participants how to cut bottles and create foot-long bottle tubes for bringing in light and an artistic touch to the worm villa. Sorry that the wine is not included, but feel free to bring empty bottles.
Tuesday, May 29
9am to 5pm - Stacking Cordwood Walls, Mixing Cob, Light Straw Clay Prep
10am to 12pm - Workshop: Water Catchment System Designs
Whether you are thinking about rain barrels or large-scale cisterns, Jason Garvey, with Portland Purple Water, will share best practices and describe how he designed the worm bin roof and 2,500 gallon water collection system for PCC’s Learning Garden.
Wednesday, May 30
9am to 5pm - Stacking Cordwood Walls & Build Light Straw Clay Wall
Thursday, May 31
9am to 5pm - Stacking Cordwood Walls & Build Light Straw Clay Wall
10:30am to 12pm - Workshop: noon How to Build a Worm Bin with Josh Liebschutz
Learn basic concepts and techniques for indoor and/or outdoor vermiculture. Learn how to create an ecosystem for your red worms by understanding their dietary needs, their environmental preferences, and their reproductive habits. View several functioning vermiculture bins and speak with an experienced vermiculturalist about choosing the best vermiculture system for your situation.
Friday, June 1
9am to 5pm - Finish Wall Building & Add Sculptural Details
Saturday, June 2
9am to 5pm - Finish Wall Building & Add Sculptural Cob Elements
Sunday, June 3
12pm to 3pm - VBC Celebration and Feast!
Note: Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, as this is an outdoor project.
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Opportunity Requirements:
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Volunteers must be 8 years of age or older to participate in this opportunity; any volunteer under age 15 must attend with a parent or adult chaperone.
Click on "Express Interest" below if you are interested in helping out!
**This is a Referral Opportunity, which means it is run directly by one of our nonprofit partners. Once you express interest, someone from the partner organization should follow up with you shortly to discuss confirming you as a volunteer for this opportunity.
**Please note, your hours may not be recorded in your Hands On Greater Portland account since this is a partner-managed opportunity.
Environment, Schools
Age Minimum (with Adult): 8+, Minimum Age:15+
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