North House Folk School

To be put on the waitlist, email ablust@northhouse.org with the sessions that work with your schedule.

• Participants must be at least 18 years old
• No craft experience necessary
• Interest in connecting with the North House community
• A willingness to do outdoor, physical and messy work like taking out trash, cleaning toilets and moving heavy objects.
• Good interpersonal skills - you’ll be living in shared housing, engaging with passersby, students and North House staff regularly
• The ability to arrive on time, and commit to the session
• Facility maintenance and upkeep skills are a bonus - painting, deep cleaning, organizing, landscaping, building and fixing things
• Compliance with our Community Standards, Non-Discrimination Policy, and Campus Guidelines

Work study volunteers are able to take up to 4 days of coursework (so either a 3 day class or two 2 days classes) for evey session they volunteer. The class(es) can take place during the work study session or after the session. 

Not all classes can fit into the work study schedule.  For example, Build Your Own Timberframe, Build Your Own Yurt and Sail Training Trips are classes that don't fall under the scope of this program. 

Work study credit does not cover materials fees; payment of the materials fee is required upon registration.  Work study credit cannot be used for items in the school store and credit can not be used in combination with other discounts (local, intergenerational, etc.). 

If you have any questions about coursework, contact the Work Study Coordinator!

We really rely on our work study volunteers, and have committed to paying for their housing. If a work study is no longer to make it to the session for any reason please let us know as soon as possible so that we can fill the spot!

North House’s general course cancellation policy also applies to tuition credit. If North House must cancel a course, students will receive a full refund of tuition credit or payments made for that course. Students who cancel their enrollment more than 21 days prior to the first day of the course will receive a refund of their tuition credit less a $100 cancellation fee to cover administrative costs. In recognition of the time and energy instructors invest in preparing for courses, students who cancel their enrollment 21 days or less prior to the first day of the course are not eligible for a refund.

The workload and work really varies seasonally and based on weather. Extended session participants should come willing and capable of completing a wide range of projects. The days will usually start with morning rounds and making coffee for classes. After that there will be a variety of tasks like: setting up classrooms, sweeping floors, washing windows, moving tables, cleaning bathrooms, mowing lawns, restocking first aid kits, sanitizing coffee pots, watering gardens, digging holes, shoveling snow, helping with the pizza bake and more! Sometimes tasks end at 2pm, sometimes at 5pm. Generally the only evening work is on Fridays in the summer; work studies help with the weekly pizza bake potluck. Overall, expect to earn 24 to 32 hours of work study credit per week. Communicate with the Classroom Manager to figure out when it would fit in the schedule to take time off. Work study participants will have time to explore the town, local events and the wilderness around Grand Marais. If work study applicants have one or two minor conflicting commitments, let us know ahead of time and usually we can work around it.

However, this is a 'full time' commitment. Work study participants cannot work remotely for another job and try to fit in a couple of work study hours around their regular work schedule. However, the inverse could be true! Work study participants can spend the majority of their day working for North House and then take calls or emails for another job when the work study duties have wrapped up for the day.

Some work study sessions overlap with special events and thematic weeks. If you're looking for a social, busy experience, sign up for a session that coincides with an event.

Each session allows for at least two participants, so if you have a friend that would like to be involved, have them apply with you. Indicate on the application if you’ll need one room or two.

No, food is not provided, work study participants need to plan to bring or buy their own food. There are three grocery stores in town (The Co-op, Johnson's, and Gene's IGA) and several restaurants. Sometimes prices are a dollar or two more here than other areas of the state, you're welcome to bring food if this is a concern.

The lodging has a basic cooking set up with a fridge, stove, oven, pots and pans.

Work study participants stay on campus in waterfront private rooms with a shared kitchen and shared bathroom. The rooms are on the second floor, up a flight of stairs. Each room has two twin beds. If you’re selected to participate in the work study program, please discuss any specific housing needs with the work study coordinator before your arrival!

North House does not provide sheets, pillows, towels or other linens, so make sure to pack what you need.

Some Work Study participants elect to provide their own accommodations during their stay, including nearby Forest Service campgrounds, other area lodging establishments, or other creative solutions. Feel free to do so if this would better meet your needs.

• Clothing that you can move in and get dirty. We recommend bringing shoes that you're comfortable walking and working in and layered clothing; the weather can be unpredictable! Some tasks will be inside and others will be outside, bring clothing that can work for either.
• Bedding and towels. Our housing options all include a mattress, but not linens.
• Earplugs if you are sound sensitive
• Food. This can also be purchased at grocery stores in town.
• Sunscreen & bug protection (summer only)
• Books, journal, craft materials, bathing suit (for swimming or sauna) skis, hiking boots and things you might want to use during your downtime