Maine Local Living School
nurturing the human-earth relationship
Apprenticeship Program: Logistics
Enrollment
We have an 8-week minimum stay. The first two weeks of this time is a trial period, during which either party is allowed to terminate the apprenticeship. There is no maximum length of stay, but apprentices must request, and be approved for, an additional length of stay beyond the minimum 8 weeks. We offer spring, summer and fall apprenticeship blocks.
Weekly Schedule:
Apprentices work on Maine Local Living School projects 5 days a week. We work hard and request the same of our apprentices. However, he apprenticeship is, at its core, an educational experience. Apprentices attend all classes free-of-charge and have ample opportunity to pursue personal craft projects and practice skills. Wednesday afternoons are set aside for cleaning and maintenance around the apprentice lodge. Friday afternoons and weekends are free time.
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Community Meeting
On Wednesday night there is always a community potluck supper. On this night, we review the week, share feelings, address concerns and issues, offer appreciations, and make plans for the upcoming week.
Character Expectations
Above all, we expect apprentices to have a desire to learn, and to be willing and positive members of the community. We expect apprentices to be self-motivated, thorough in their work, and meticulous in their clean-up and care of tools.
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Social Contact
Apprentices are involved with all classes and work with us almost daily. However, apprentices live alone and need to be a self-sufficient social unit. Maine Local Living School is located 9 miles from town and social interaction is limited. If you get lonely and do not do well living by yourself, you should consider apprenticing with a partner or friend, or make sure there will be other apprentices present during your stay.
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Tuition
Work Exchange! No money changes hands.
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Drugs and Alcohol
Maine Local Living School apprenticeship is a time to push your levels of awareness and connection. We do not feel the use of marijuana or alcohol are conducive to this goal and are strictly forbidden during the working day. Minimal use of legal substances is accepted on your own time.
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Good Housekeeping/Hygiene
Keeping a clean living space and a clean body are important elements of the simple life endeavor. We will hold apprentices to a high standard of quality in this regard, as it would be doing you a disservice not to do so. Living simple does not mean living dirty.
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Car Parking
Apprentices’ cars are parked in the school parking area, approximately ¼ mile from the school center.
Outhouse: Apprentices use the school’s public composting toilet and are responsible for keeping it clean and neat.
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Electricity
Apprentices can usually charge cell phones, laptops, headlamp batteries, etc. from the greenhouse photovoltaic system. Occasionally, you will have to wait for the sun to come out again!
Phone/Internet/Library: There is no cell reception here! Depending on your carrier, service starts between 1 and 5 miles down the road. There is a landline phone available in the classroom. Internet is available at the public library in Farmington, and at the Knapp house on a limited basis.
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Music
Human-created music is always welcome! To hold space for all involved in the community, please do not play loud recorded music on speakers.
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Pets
No pets, please.
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Transportation
Farmington is 9 miles away. There is some opportunity to carpool when we leave to do errands. If you are without a car, we recommend bringing a bike.
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Apprenticeship Program: Requirements
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You DO NOT need to be an expert or even have any prior practice with these skills. Gaining experience is what this apprenticeship is for!
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You DO need to be motivated; much learning will take place on your own time because you choose to do it.
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You DO need to be willing to push the limits of your physical comfort. You will spend most of every day outdoors. It may be hot or buggy, you may be tired or hungry, but the fire still needs to be started and food still needs to be picked from the garden and cooked before you’ll be able to eat.
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You DO need to be willing to push the limits of your emotional comfort. You will be living in close proximity with your teachers and fellow apprentices; open communication is necessary, as well as the ability to hear criticism and feedback from others.
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The apprenticeship program is open to all ages 18 and up.
Apprenticeship Program: Registration
Registration Process
Register by filling out the online registration form and mailing us the printed answers to the essay questions (found on the online registration form). We will contact you about coming for a three-day trial before the start of the apprenticeship.
Security Deposit
A security deposit of $100 is required upon your arrival and will be refunded at the end of your apprenticeship following a full cleanup of living/work spaces and return (in good working order) of all Maine Local Living School's tools, books, and other materials that were used.
Available Time Slots
Spring: Late April through early June
Summer: Early June through end of August
Fall: Mid-September through mid-November
Winter: Winter apprenticeships are available upon invitation for returning apprentices only.
Enrollment
We accept between 2 and 5 apprentices for each time slot. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis.