Eco dos Teixos is a new project that we are starting in a small town in the mountains called Casaio. We are rehabilitating a building that was the town's school and turning it into a tourist lodge with activities.
With the launch of the lodge, we will offer the following activities:
- Environmental education
- Hiking trails
- Camps for kids, youth and families
- Crafts, dance, circus workshops, etc.
In the town to date live about 150 people but the population is decreasing to worrying levels. Our goal is to revitalize the life of the town and with the help of the local community promote projects to make it an attractive place to re-inhabit.
We will propose activities for the people of the town such as gymnastics or memory workshops, dance ... as well as activities for the little ones of the town, such as excursions, environmental education, film forum, reading workshops and many more.
Furthermore, we want Eco dos Teixos to serve as a place of exchange and coexistence between the people who visit us and the local population.
IMPORTANT. ABOUT COVID-19
We know that this situation is complicated for everyone, but we consider that on a psychological and social level it is necessary to continue having gatherings and social relationships (always in compliance with the current health regulations), share moments and experiences, as they are the basis of our well-being and continue to develop as people and doing so in a natural and healthy environment. For this reason we have proposed weekend workshops and activities despite the current situation. All activities and stays will be adapted to the protocols in force at the time of their completion, thus complying with the maximum health security.
IMPORTANT. ABOUT THE VOUCHERS
The vouchers will be given in approximately a 3 month period from the end of the campaign.
We will contact you to specify details (color of shirt and size, shipping address ...)
With regards to the weekend workshops: once the campaign is over, the dates of completion will be published in advance according to the availability of the person who imparts it and accomodating to the Health Regulations in force at that time. They will be held during the year 2021, around Spring time. If the health situation forces us to postpone, they would be held in Autumn. Under no circumstances will you loose your voucher.
In the event that you have another commitment on the date and are not able to attend, there would be no inconvenience to participate in another workshop of your interest.
COVID protocol. The protocols in place at the time of the activity will be respected in all activities.
Raffle: The raffle will be done "Live" on Eco dos Teixos Facebook page at the end of the campaign and the date will be notified to you through the contact information you provided in the donation. We will also contact those who win! :)
The stays and birthday parties can be used until December 2022.
Travel to Eco dos Teixos Lodge (Casaio) will be provided from O Barco de Valdeorras.
Main features and goals of the crowdfunding campaign
Project description. Characteristics, strengths and differentials.
Eco dos Teixos is much more than a common lodge. We are designing a well-kept space with a traditional aesthetic, with open spaces, activity areas and a dining room on the ground floor that resembles a cave!
Apart from taking care of the details and personal care, Eco dos Teixos will offer a wide variety of activities related to leisure, nature and rural life.
Among the most prominent objectives:
- Promote quality experience: create comprehensive itineraries that provide interaction with the environment and with the local population.
- Diversify the local tourist offer.
- Encourage leisure activities and educational free time.
- Implement programs, courses, pedagogical and recreational outings, workshops or camps, largely orientated to environmental education and contact with nature.
- Enhance the value of the natural and cultural resources of the territory.
- Work on environmental education in a transversal way in each activity.
- Set examples with facts, applying the four "R's" in our activity: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reflect or (meditate) (Reflect is the most important R because as soon as we do it, we will quickly realize that it is not profitable, reasonable or responsible to continue wasting resources madly).
- Work with highly trained and experienced professionals.
- Carry out a continuous evaluation of each activity.
- Offer maximum security in each of the activities.
- Make Eco dos Teixos a benchmark as a local development space in the area.
- Work continuously on relations with the local community.
Why this is important
Motivation and to whom the project is orientated
We rediscovered a territory with a high potential: forests, waterfalls, mountains, history ... This place called upon us to start dreaming about our life-long project.
Every day we felt more closed off in the city, with a high degree of stress. That is why we can value better this process of change: to be able to find a different way of life, slower, closer to earth and the people around us.
With the creation of the Eco dos Teixos lodge and activity center, we want to open a place of coexistence, where we can share experiences related to the rural world, nature, art and culture.
Team and experience
Previous experience and the team
We started four years ago with a small rural tourist family house https://www.casagelita.com/. Due to the good result we obtained on that project we decided to get more involved with the new project in Casaio. Normally we work in the Leisure and Educational sector, often in unstable working conditions. Our idea is that Eco dos Teixos will allow us to create a solid job opportunity for our future. Furthermore, we have always dreamed of implementing our own ideas in this area and we are getting closer and closer to achieving it.
Apart from all the people who in one way or another are involved in the project the Eco dos Teixos team is made up of:
Elba: Graduated in Biology, with a Master's Degree in teaching, and Leisure Time Monitor. In love with nature, she has extensive experience as a hiking guide, nature interpreter, environmental education and promoter in many camps and Leisure Time activities. Works with different age ranges, from infant to seniors.
Pedro: Senior Technician in Sociocultural and Tourist Animation, Director and coordinator of Leisure Time activities and graduated in Occupational Risk Prevention. He has been working since 2013 in the educational and Leisure Time field. During this time he has accumulated great experience as a Monitor and Director of camps, workshops and a multitude of activities in the sociocultural field.