Sacred Groves :: Communities Directory

Re-Forming Formed: 2005 Established: 2005

This page last updated:11/28/2011

Sacred Groves

Bainbridge Island, Washington,

United States

We are a small intentional community sharing a 10-acre forested sanctuary on Bainbridge Island, Washington, a half hour ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Washington. Our purpose is to respect and protect Mother Earth now and for the future by embracing community living and voluntary simplicity. Our spiritual path is based on earth-based spirituality, and we also host short-term guests who come to our little eco-retreat for ceremonies and circle.

Our lifestyle has most of us sharing a common kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and laundry facilities in the beautiful Round House. The freestanding cabins have kitchen/bathroom or kitchenettes and compost toilets.

Our houses and cabins are charming and handcrafted, blending with our forest surroundings. Our life here includes walking magical forest paths, participating in drumming, dancing and rituals, tending our gardens, sharing dinners together, and enjoying quiet private time in the woods.

Update late 2011: For various reasons, nearly everybody in the community has moved out, leaving the owners with a beautiful facility but no committed communitarians besides the two owners who are stepping back and considering options. Our current idea is to find a group or extended family who might want to "take over" the facilities, starting as renters, eventually purchasing the beautiful Round House and 3 nearby structures. We've posted an ad to this effect.

Status: 2 adults who are reconsidering whether this community experiment is going to work.

Website: http://sacredgroves.com

Contact:

Therese Charvet
9255 Holly Farm Lane
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110 United States
Phone: 206-842-7141

Links:

Sacred Groves: explains the kinds of events that happen here and about community values

Sacred Groves: shows photos of housing available

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

This page last updated:11/28/2011

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Please email and arrange something in advance after checking out our website.

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Because our housing is a single housing unit and requires the sharing of bathroom, kitchen and common space membership/residency may be restricted based on sex/gender in accordance with the law. Our community does not discriminate based on race/color, national origin, religion, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or domestic abuse.

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 2 Non-member Residents: 0 Open to new members: Yes (Housing Available)	Government Decision Making: By consensus (Since land is still in private ownership, some decisions are made by owner but majority are collective.) Identified Leader: Yes (Therese and Tere as owner/directors)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (Sharing house and garden chores; 2-4 hrs week.) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: Yes (Basic rent and utilities fee paid monthly, approx $650 for one person, one cabin. $50/person/month contribution to 'community fund' expected in addition)
Land and Buildings Suburban (in a rural area of a suburban island) Area: 10 acres (4.0 hectares) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) Number of Residences: 2 (plus cabins & detached bedrooms) Cohousing: No (more 'communal')	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (We want to grow more-Gardeners welcome!) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: There are some dietary restrictions (We eat organic and natural foods.) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (natural, organic vegies, grains, some meat) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Prohibited (Occasional smokers & ceremonial use ok)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Paganism/Earth Religions Educational Style(s): Public schooled (personal choice)

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): Tere Carranza, theresecharvet

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