REMOTE WORKER PIT-STOP PROGRAM
< we have rural broadband >
Jeff Rasley
Schedule a pit-stop nature immersion,
homestead style experience on your remote worker adventure.
Congratulations on your remote work lifestyle where you are no longer chained to a commute or office buildings. Have you ever yearned to have a garden or interact with animals, but you can't because you've decided to go on the road?
In 2023, we are expanding our artist, writer, designer, craft or other creative discipline residency program to include remote workers who have a unique outlook on life to contribute to the homestead experience and the organic community of random strangers at any given time. If you believe in human rights, climate change and environmental rights, equal rights, privacy rights, marriage rights, civil rights, voting rights, food justice, social justice, body autonomy, or civic engagement, you'll find this to be a welcoming and supportive environment founded by a former tenured college professor who walked away to establish this place and enjoys intellectual conversations at such a dramatic and uncertain time in our world.
The camp offers a unique opportunity to work remotely using our rural broadband and experience a quiet escape in a gorgeous part of rural Tennessee. You'll be able to participate in activities on the land or around the space that help you with your creative work-flow. The founder of the camp walked away from a career as a tenured graphic design professor for various reasons including a toxic traumatic workplace and the inflated price of education compared to the stagnant wages to create this nature immersion creativity retreat center. It's fantastic to meet travelers on your unique journey!
The two main room options with the rural broadband wifi are in a shared house with multiple cats and the camp director's office where there are work zones and virtual meeting activities already happening. One room is the master featuring queen bed with an en-suite bathroom and the second room features a twin bed with a daybed couch with the hall shared bathroom (with Val and some house plants). The wifi is available for you to find a space to sit outside whenever you want as there is also a farm antennae spreading the signal across the 5 acres. The homestead experience is a valuable opportunity where you will be asked to put away the work and help out in various activities like cutting down bamboo, socializing or feeding donkeys, helping with trails or gardening, or even picking up sticks for firewood season. You can also opt for add-on professional development activities for your career from Val as a former graphic design professor.
It's almost like living in a cat café as you'll love having the feline companions and all of the other flora and fauna. You'll enjoy the slow pace, the chickens and peacock, the cute rabbits, the adorable farm dogs, and taking walks every day to hang out with the donkeys.
Options include two week or one-month stays.
YOU ALREADY KNOW THE BENEFITS, BUT HERE'S MORE SUPPORT FOR THE CONCEPT.
"Why you should tell your team to take a break and go outside"
- Harvard Business Review
by Emma Seppälä and Johann Berli, June 26, 2017
"Greenery isn’t just an air-freshener that’s pleasant to look at, it can actually significantly boost employee well-being, reduce stress, enhance innovative potential, and boost a sense of connection. Yet most of us don’t spend much time in nature. Richard Louv, author of the Nature Principal, argues that we’re collectively suffering from “nature-deficit disorder,” which hurts us mentally, physically, and even spiritually. Adding a little wilderness to your corporate offices may just be the smartest move you can do this year."
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"Exposure to nature may therefore foster boost superior decision-making which includes better foresight. Exposure to natural environments also strengthens attention and may even help strengthen memory."
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"Finally, we know that the #1 trait leaders look for in incoming employees is creativity, and exposure to natural environments dramatically improves our ability to think expansively and make superior decisions."
FEES AND OTHER INFO
SCHEDULE OPTIONS
based on availability : 2-weeks or 1-month (less than a month includes hospitality and sales tax)
This remote work pit-stop opportunity requires a commitment to participating in the homestead experience with approximately an hour a day that may include guided group activities.
This is for single remote workers only. No Guests Allowed. If you are traveling as a couple in your own camper, this will be considered.
ROOM OPTIONS
The camphaus is a shared living space tucked into the back of 5 acres among many trees with camp cats and the camp chicken coops, peacock aviary, and an art studio workspace nearby. Parking is included or coordinate transportation to and from Nashville. Lodging is furnished and the fees include all utilities, broadband with access to the communal areas including a kitchen. Imagine a hostel or "airbnb", but for artists and remote workers.
Application Fee goes towards the non-refundable portion of your deposit. $25
Deposit of $400 includes $75 non-refundable fee to cover turnover upon departure.
Queen en-suite: 1 month = $750, 2 weeks = $675 (includes hospitality and sales taxes)
Single w/ couch, shared bath : 1 month = $500, 2 weeks = $420 (includes hospitality and sales taxes)
RV/Camper option (single or couples only) : 1 month = $600, 2 weeks = $450 (includes hospitality and sales tax)
Cancellation policy and all other rules are included in the contract you'll review after acceptance into the program.
DO NOT APPLY IF:
- You are allergic at all to cats
- You are not willing to wash your own dishes after every meal
- You are not willing to participate in the homestead experience requirements
- You are not willing to remove your shoes in the house
- You are a smoker or vaper; heavy alcohol and drug use is prohibited
- You don't like animals
- You like to get into controversial debates with others for fun
- You think the earth is flat or other conspiracy theories
- You tend to work more than 40 hours a week, would be gone most of the free time, or other issues that would take you away from the experience
By submitting my application I acknowledge:
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I understand that the camp is located in a rural landscape that may have insects including spiders or other unfamiliar or uncomfortable type of environmental issues often dramatic weather, and that cell phones don't have good service during parts of the day or spots around the camp.
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I understand that I will have access to the rural broadband, but that I should embrace the opportunity to disconnect from tech when not working so I can explore and enjoy the nature immersion.
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I understand that I may not have any guests at all during my term and that this is a solo opportunity.
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I understand that I should not work more than 40 hours remotely and should engage in the natural immersion or other opportunities available, not just as a place to live and to hide in a room or be gone all the time for exploring.
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I understand that this is a secular place and proselytizing is not allowed.
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I understand the no smoking, no vaping policies as well as the drug and alcohol policy.
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I understand that there is a commitment to the general care and maintenance of the communal space and my own room on a daily/weekly basis.
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My understanding that this remote worker pit-stop program is not a school or workshop and therefore there are no formal instructional offerings included in my program fee unless I negotiate GD instruction, mentorship coaching, or assistance with my work in my contract.
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I understand that I should communicate my interest in outings, activities, or intentional gatherings during my remote experience prior to my arrival.
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I understand that the organic element of this remote pit-stop program alongside a residency program is the aspect of interactions. I understand that my role needs to be proactive in the community in terms of seeking out interactions with others or inviting them to see/interact with my work.
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I understand that there is no guarantee as to the number of participants on site during my schedule and that there can be an ebb and flow of participants during my schedule.
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I understand that my time is my own, my schedule is determined by me, and that any group activity is optional, is organic in its organization, and that sometimes I may be the leader of this activity at my own interest. I understand that there will likely be an option to gather socially on a weekly basis, if possible, such as movie night, stargazing, campfires, etc.
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I understand that if I offer my expertise to other participants that there is no remuneration for my time.
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Additional policies may be included in the contract and not listed here.
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Although we are rural, we prefer that people are vaccinated and have courtesy for public health. Please note if not.