Education and Skill-Sharing at Happy Castle

Thomas passing dirt to me, me passing dirt into Roman's Earthbag, Carrot supervising. Atop a half-finished dome.

Happy Castle is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to grow. At the heart of our community is a commitment to lifelong learning, skill-sharing, and hands-on experience. We believe that knowledge should be open, accessible, and shared, not locked behind institutions or paywalls. By investing in communal education, we empower individuals while strengthening the collective.

Our workshops and classes provide opportunities to learn everything from natural building techniques and off-grid living to permaculture, sustainable design, and creative arts. Whether constructing Superadobe domes, converting skoolies, setting up a rainwater collection system, or mastering mediums, members gain practical skills that support both personal independence and the larger mission of Happy Castle: making sustainable, intentional living more accessible and expanding the planet saving eco-village movement.

Beyond structured workshops, learning at Happy Castle happens through direct mentorship and apprenticeship. Experienced builders, artists, and craftspeople within the community share their knowledge through collaborative projects, allowing members to develop specialized skills while contributing to the growth of the village. A well-stocked communal library provides access to books, online courses, and instructional materials, ensuring that self-directed learners have the resources they need to deepen their expertise and expand their minds.

We also welcome visiting instructors and guest speakers—experts from diverse fields who bring fresh insights, perspectives, and techniques to our community. Happy Castle Art Camp isn't simply about building a community for ourselves, it's about building a global community of natural builders and alternative thinkers. By bringing teachers, artists, activists, and visionaries together and providing them with the resources and community they need to do their work, we can begin transforming society for the better. We want to build relationships with people like you and help manifest our collective highest potentials. By connecting with a broader network of thinkers, makers, and pioneers, we bridge the gap between an intentional community and the eco-village movement.

But education at Happy Castle isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about access. Creativity and skill development thrive when people have the right tools and materials at their fingertips. Besides affordable workshops and volunteer opportunities for visitors, those same skill-building opportunities are available to our residents, allowing them to learn what they want as quickly or leisurely as they please. Our shared workshops and maker spaces are stocked with everything needed to experiment, build, and create, removing the financial barriers for our residents that often stifle personal success in mainstream society. Whether you want to sculpt, weld, garden, sew, or engineer, the resources are here to support your curiosity and ambition. Expert or novice, this is the community that will provide the platform you need to grow.

By fostering an environment of education, experimentation, skill-sharing, and mutual support, Happy Castle is not just teaching people how to build homes—it’s cultivating a movement that redefines how we live, work, and create together. Don't imagine a better future, build one.