Intentional Communities: Life at Oregon's Lost Valley

Intentional communities happen when several people decide to get together and live together. They can range in number from 2 to hundreds. There are thousands of intentional communities in the United States. A directory of them can be found online. Most intentional communities have shared living facilities (kitchen, housing, other buildings) and are based on different principles. Some are environmentally focused, some religious, some based on other shared principles. Some have industries such as hammock making, farming, or "cottage industries" where the people who live in them work at to make money. Some don't. Some practice income sharing, where everyone who lives there has to pool their income, and an allowance is given to each member. Many don't. In some communities, you can rent a dwelling, and in some you need to buy one. Others charge nothing but work if you are accepted.

I have had the opportunity to experience life in one such community: Lost Valley in Dexter, Oregon. Lost Valley is an intentional community dedicated to education about sustainability and permaculture. It holds many classes and workshops about topics related to these issues. People come from all over the country to live in cabins, dorms, yurts and a few apartments in order to take these classes. Some people live here year round and work in the office, maintenance or in other parts of the community. Some people are just visiting to see what it's like.

There are about 20-30 year round people residing at Lost Valley.

Lost Valley has many acres of land and hiking trails to peruse. It has a creek and a swimming hole. There is a dining hall on the grounds, and meals are provided three times daily, except for weekends. People who live here take turns cooking organic vegetarian meals. Some of the food is grown here at Lost Valley. There is an outdoor kitchen and guest kitchen for residents and guests to use to cook. There are many gardens and interesting buildings on campus. Some people live in tents, and there is even a yurt that houses one family.

People at Lost Valley are very friendly and helpful. It is a very environmentally friendly place and non-toxic cleaning products are used. Many structures are made out of creative and innovative building material, such as a cob information booth. There is a resource room available with books, a computer and a piano. Wireless internet is available throughout the campus.

Living in an intentional community means you get to participate in social activities and meals with other people, which can be enjoyable and enriching. Depending on where you live on the grounds, you may have to share public bathrooms and showers with others as well. The apartments, however, have private bathrooms.

Lost Valley is located twenty miles outside of Eugene, Oregon. You have the best of both worlds while at Lost Valley: access to nature and community, and access to a city for anything you might need there. They have apartments for visitors wanting to enjoy the community for a short time, as well as options for longer term stays. If you need a break from the city, want to learn more about sustainability or permaculture, want an intensive class experience in these subjects, or just want to try something new, consider visiting Lost Valley in Dexter, Oregon.