Volunteering at Drala Mountain

Your Gift of Time and Talent is SO Appreciated!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Drala Mountain. Volunteers are an integral part of our organization and we could not exist without you and your offering of time. Thank you for being here! In appreciation of the service of our sangha of volunteers, Drala Mountain is pleased to offer free lodging and meals while you’re helping out, as well as a supportive, community atmosphere, a chance to meet new people, and our deep gratitude for your time and energy. 

We are currently looking for volunteers to help out during our winter months in a variety of areas, such as kitchen, housekeeping and land. We ask for at least a two-week commitment for our residential volunteers. If you would like to come up and spend a couple of weeks staying with us on this beautiful land in exchange for offering some help, let us know. You would be most welcome! (Please note, for the safety and security of our community, acceptance as a volunteer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check).

In addition to our residential volunteer program, volunteers are needed for daily commitments as well as periodic and one-time projects. If you see an activity that interests you or if you want to inquire about other volunteer opportunities, please contact our HR Director, at searley@dralamountain.org.

Volunteer FAQ’s

Are meals included with volunteer shifts?

If you’re volunteering 4 or more hours in a department at Drala Mountain and the timing works with your shift, you may join for a meal. If so, you will go (usually with the staff member you’re working with) through the line in the (silent) Dining Hall, and eat in a designated staff area (not silent).  Please do not eat in the Dining Hall during a residential retreat as that space is reserved for retreatants.

Can I bring my dog to Drala Mountain?

Only service dogs specifically trained to support physical limitations are permitted at our retreat center. For the safety of your pet and the animals that live on this land, and out of respect for the experience of other attendees, Drala Mountain strongly requests that you leave pets at home. It is not safe to allow pets to run free on the land, be tied up outdoors, or be left in a car.

We are Committed to Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity

Drala Mountain is committed to being a spiritual sanctuary and refuge for all.  We value and celebrate diversity, inclusivity and respect for all beings.  Diversity practice and dharma practice are not separate and we recognize and value both our global connectedness and our differences. We ask our volunteers to exemplify these values during your service here by acknowledging and appreciating differences based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, age, education, background, opinions, experience, physical ability and other social and economic differences.

We Thank You

Thank you for the generosity of your time, talents, and enthusiasm.  Your support allows Drala Mountain to fulfill our mission of bringing people to a depth of realization of the Buddha’s path of liberation through direct experience. Your work helps allow our community of practitioners to connect with inspiration and teachings to integrate and manifest wisdom and compassion in all aspects of their lives, for the benefit of all beings.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Ready to Start Thinking About Summer? Here’s a bit about our summer volunteering opportunities:

Description

Volunteers will stay in our in large tents on a platform. Each tent has two platforms with mattresses, shelving, and a clothing rack. We request you bring your own sleeping bag, bedding, pillow, and towels. You may be sharing the tent with a same sex volunteer. Couples are welcome to share a tent. We request a one week minimum stay. Or bring your own tent or rv/van!

Delicious meals with vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore options at each meal. Coffee, tea, fruits, bread, cereals, milk, and juice are always available for snacking in the dining room.

Free access to any holistic or spiritual programs (space permitting) happening on the land during your downtime. Discount at the gift store. Program credit of $100 per week for future use.

Skills, mindset, personality

Land volunteers must be willing to work outside in all conditions- very hot, cold, rainy, etc. This work can be physically difficult and exhausting and requires good physical condition and a positive mindset. Because natural resources management can sometimes involve harm (cutting down trees, removing invasive species, etc.), a willingness to understand the complexities of difficult ecological decisions and follow through with them is necessary. The majority of on-the-ground land work occurs in just a few months in the summer so efficiency is needed to fulfill management tasks in this limited time frame. Experience and/or interest in ecology, natural resources, and/or land management is desired but not necessary. The ability to use hand tools and/or power tools safely is a plus.

Typical shifts

Monday – Friday. 8 am – 3 pm depending on the weather.

Responsibilities

Land volunteers will be assisting with the removal of invasive plants throughout the land. This looks like a day in the field digging up plants ALL DAY (besides lunchtime of course)! It’s hot and it’s tiring but it is rewarding to contribute to ecosystem health! Many times plans change, and we may switch from invasive plant management to helping out in the garden, landscaping projects, trail maintenance, groundskeeping activities like checking fence lines, or ecological restoration projects like replanting native vegetation in burn areas.

We are looking for individuals to help us with a variety of responsibilities such as kitchen, housekeeping and land: 
• minimum 2 week time commitment
• up 30 hours of work per week
• living, practicing meditation, and working (physical labor and sometimes in inclement weather) with a team
• 3 hours of your 30 hour commitment each week involve community service  (cleaning or washing dishes)
Winter volunteers receive:
• Tent accommodations, limited private lodge rooms with private bath, three meals per day. Couples welcome!
• community classes, and events
• a discount at our Gift Store!
Application process:
• take a look at our website to get an idea of what we’re about
• fill out the online application
• applications will be reviewed and those selected will be contacted for an initial phone interview

Apply Now