From the beginning in 1927, Indralaya’s buildings and infrastructure have all been developed as labors of love by many devoted volunteers.
A wide variety of indoor and outdoor jobs are always in need of doing, and we invite you to join us. There is no charge for attending a work party and there is work for all ages and skill levels. Indralaya provides room and board in exchange for your time and energy.
Volunteers have helped build thirty sleeping cabins; the dining hall; the F. L. Kunz Memorial Library; two communal bath houses with showers and toilets; the Resident Managers’ Cottage; the Roundhouse, which sleeps up to twelve people and includes handicapped facilities; a maintenance and storage building; three concrete water storage tanks, septic systems; and untold lengths of water and electrical lines, roads, and paths. We have had occasional professional help, but mostly volunteers have built Indralaya.
In days of yore, camp manager John Abbenhouse was well known for his oft repeated exhortation:
Work is love made manifest.
This spirit lives on today, and working together in common purpose continues to be an essential feature of camp life.
The work party begins with dinner as participants gather and prepare for the weekend ahead. Each work day begins as we gather in a communal circle after breakfast chores are done. We break for lunch at 12:30 and then come together for another couple hours of work in the afternoon. Evenings are often devoted to informal discussion and entertainment by the fireside. Bring your talents and musical instruments with you!
2023 Work Party Schedule and Registration
Fall Harvest Work Party
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
October 13 – 15, 2023
Friday Dinner – Sunday Breakfast
Cost $25 per participant
An annual tradition! The emphasis is on harvesting and processing apples and other fruits of the garden & orchard, with plenty of other projects to tend to as well. Participation is free and there is fun work for all ages.
November Work Party
November 10 – 12, 2023
Friday Dinner – Sunday Breakfast
Cost: $25 per participant
Help put camp to bed at the end of another long and fruitful season. Late fall is an excellent time to visit Indralaya and observe the forces of nature at work. The focus of this quieter work party is on preparing the camp for its winter rest.
Completed Work Parties 2023
Presidents’ Day Work Party
February 17 – February 20, 2023
Friday Dinner – Monday Breakfast
Spring Equinox Work Party
March 24 – March 26, 2023
Friday Dinner – Sunday Breakfast
Earth Day Work Party
April 21 – 23, 2023
Friday Dinner – Sunday Breakfast
Memorial Day Work Party
May 26 – 29, 2023
Friday Dinner – Monday Breakfast
This holiday weekend is a wonderful time to be at Indralaya to volunteer your efforts in preparation for the busy summer season that lies ahead. There’s work available for all ages and all skills — join us!
Labor Day Work Party
September 1 – 4, 2023
Friday Dinner – Monday Breakfast
Cost $25 per participant
This Labor Day work party will focus on garden clean-up, fall planting, and plum harvesting along with other trail and property maintenance projects to round out the fun.
Housing, meal, and travel information are available under Visitor Information.
Work Parties are $25 registration fee