On Site:
2010 EcoBuilding, Permaculture and Ecovillage Design Courses The Camassia Institute at Lost Valley empowers you to live more sustainably, through courses in permaculture, sustainable design and community organization. Camassia institute at Lost VAlley, sustainable skills for today's challenges, permaculture, green building, ecovillage design.How can you work together, with other members of a community, to reduce your impact on the Earth’s ecosystem? The answer involves examining what “community” means, from a family, to a group of friends, to the workplace, neighborhood or eco-village. We teach sustainable living and community life in a way that is applicable to all of these situations – and that emphasizes the role our communities can play in supporting the planet. The Camassia Difference Camassia Institute courses are designed for those with an academic, professional or personal interest in sustainable living and design. Because we realize that you have unique interests and life circumstances, we offer: * Three main tracks: EcoBuilding (an intro to creating ‘eco’ structures), Permaculture Design (learning how to create and present holistic permaculture design) and Ecovillage Design Education (for those interested in organizing their local community or starting their own intentional community). * Sustainability Seminar: This 'crash course' in sustainability will give you an overview of green building, permaculture, and ecovillage design through a combination of lectures and hands-on projects. * Seasonal Immersion Program which integrates all three tracks into one (for those interested in learning comprehensive eco-village design concepts). * Week-long, and month-long programs, for scheduling and financial flexibility. Ready to learn the skills you need to live in greater harmony with the planet? Take a look through our new 2010 course schedule. If you would like to see the courses represented on a calendar, take a look at our course permaculture natural building green ecobuildingcalendar.

Also Available:

Beautiful Setting

Lost Valley Educational Center is nestled among 87 acres of diverse, renewing forest at the foot of the Oregon Cascades. This special microclimate makes our conference and retreat facilities enjoyable year round. Get close to nature and learn about the permaculture approach of ecological design and restoration used in our gardens, meadows, forests, pond, creek and trails. We are located in Dexter, Oregon, 18 miles southeast of Eugene.


Delicious Food

Lost Valley is known for its delicious and abundant organic vegetarian cuisine, prepared in an atmosphere of loving and caring service. One of the ways we express our commitment to the health of our planet and our visitors is through the food we serve, which is grown organically, bioregionally, and locally whenever possible. Many of the vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown in our own gardens or harvested from our land. We can easily accommodate special or restricted diets.
Guest Meal rates are: Breakfast $7 Lunch $10 Dinner $10 View sample menus on this page.
Meeting Rooms

Our facilities include a variety of meeting rooms that can comfortably hold groups up to 70 people. Our main lodge, where meals are served, can also be used to accomodate as many as 100 people. During the summer months, natural meeting spots abound in our meadow, by the creek, and in the woods.


Lodging

Lost Valley has two comfortable dormitories which are nestled in the woods among Douglas Firs. Both dormitories have a full bathroom on each floor. Larger, private rooms with double beds are available. An enchanting walk through the "Woods Loop" takes guest to our lodge and meeting rooms. We also offer furnished apartments in our Sol-Plex and cabins. Guests may also camp in our meadow.

Our facilities include a variety of meeting rooms that can comfortably hold groups of up to 70 people. Our main lodge, where meals are served, can also be used to accommodate as many as 100 people. See the rates on this page below or download a rate sheet here.

During the summer months, some groups take advantage of our outdoor covered platform as well as finding natural meeting spots in our meadow, by the creek, and in the woods among Douglas Firs.

We also offer audiovisual equipment, wireless internet, stereo systems, and can even provide a live music!

Worth Visiting:

Local Attractions and Activities

We are just eighteen miles from Eugene, a lively urban center and college town, abounding with cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. Eugene has a long history of both social and environmental activism and progressive politics, and is a center for organic food production and processing and sustainable businesses. On weekdays, there is an inexpensive bus service to Eugene, and hardy bicyclists can make the trip in around an hour and a half. Very often, members share trips to town.

On-Site Activities:

Lost Valley Nature Center Trails

Lost Valley Sustainability Tour

Swimming Hole

Anthony Creek

Bicycling

Frisbee Golf Course

Activities within 10 minute drive:

Dexter Lake

Dexter Reservoir

Elijah Bristow Park

Dank’s Pub and Grub

Eagles Rest for great hiking

Frisbee Golf Course

Activities within a 45 minute drive:

Eugene ~ college town, music festivals, known for sustainability and one of the top green cities.

Fall Creek Old Growth

World Class Biking (Oakridge, OR)

McCredie Hot Springs

Oakridge Old Growth trails with 700 yr. old trees

Mt. June, hiking with views of Mt. Hood, Sisters and Mt. Shasta

Camping grounds

Swimming holes

Activities within a 2 hour drive:

Oregon coast (Dunes, Sea Lion Caves, hiking)

Cascade High Peaks

Alpine Lakes (Cross country & Downhill Skiing Willamette Pass)

Terwilliger/Cougar Hot Springs

Accommodation:
camping, dorms, cabins and apartments

Transport:
bus to dexter

Food:
we offer food through our kitchen and co-op