Update (December 7, 2023): Please check back as we might make updates to this complete roster of the incredibly talented and exciting Educators, Musicians, and Workshops scheduled for the 2023 Off-Grid & DIY Build Summer Camp.
Solar Workshops
Sessions 2a & 2b
(Sat & Sun/10AM)
Learn basic and advanced aspects of solar energy, solar systems, and the configuration of solar systems. This course will include a full solar system build and installation, as well as learning how to determine your solar system size in regards to panels and batteries based on your electric needs. This course is great for both those who are mobile and those wanting a permanent installation. Course will be lead and taught by Daniel Messick, who is an authorized Victron dealer & certified Victron installer/technician, and an authorized EcoFlow dealer & technician.
BioGas Technology
Session 5
(Sat/3PM)
John Kernohan will be sharing how his and his wife (Fin) create a clean, safe, odorless methane gas for cooking fuel from their kitchen scraps and waste materials, as well as create a nutrient-right liquid fertilizer. Additionally, he will be explaining how they are able to properly and cleanly process their sewage with their HomeBiogas Digester. Attendees will see their HomeBiogas Digester, and have a hands-on experience in setting up a new HomeBiogas System.
Rain Water Collection
Session 3
(Sat/1PM)
John and Fin Kernohan have been harvesting rainwater for over a decade. Learn how to build a simple and easy-to-make rainwater collection system that not only will last a lifetime, but can also be as large-capacity or small-capacity as you need… and also be able to expand this an simple design as your rainwater harvesting needs increase over time. Learn how to maintain your rainwater system, keep it clean, and keep it bug-free.
Humanure Composting
Session 4
(Sat/2PM)
Composting humanure can provide a sanitary solution for processing sewage when water or electricity are not available, or when one wants to simply make more compost and/or create less environmental pollution. This session will discuss humanure composting and how human waste when combined with other organic materials can become a nutrient-rich soil safe for gardens and planting. The Kernohans have been involved humanure composting for a decade and will be sharing their simply technique and how they build their humanure composting system.
Composting Toilet Evaluations
Session 8
(Sun/1PM)
Many people have an opinion on composting toilets and which one is best, but the reality is most of people have either never actually used a composting toilet, are only familiar with a single type of composting toilet, or have opinions based on what others say. Here on Beloved Cabin Tiny House Homestead & Stay we have been using 3 Nature’s Head Composting Toilets, a Laveo Dry-Flush Toilet, a Separett Waterless Toilet, 6 Playberg Portable Toilets, HomeBiogas Biotoilet, and multiple DIY composting toilets over these past 11.5+ years. We will have one of each of the before mentioned toilets for attendees to see & check out for themselves, sharing what are our favorite features of each toilet, and offer many tips & hacks for having optimum experiences with composting toilets. Also, and most importantly, the proper disposal of a composting toilet’s contents will be discussed.
Tiny House Tours
Session 6
(Sat/4PM)
We have a 8 tiny houses and small homes on our 16-acre Beloved Cabin Tiny House Homestead & Stay. These include 3 tiny houses on wheels, 2 geodesic domes, 1 yurt, 1 bell tent, and a skoolie (short bus conversion), which we make available to guests as short term rentals. During this event, we will be providing guided tours of all our small homes and tiny houses, as well as answering questions, sharing the story behind each unit, and offering insights on building tiny homes… and how you can get some of the same model structures as we have for FREE to start or expand your own short-term rental business
Trinity Michaels (The Gypsy Rover)
(Saturday Night @ The Barn)
Trinity Michaels (aka – The Gypsy Rover) was born and raised in Ireland. His music focus is on Irish, Alternative and Folk genres with an acoustical performance. Trinity will be performing Saturday night on the stage over at the barn.
Solar Instructor: Daniel Messick
Sessions 2a & 2b
(Sat & Sun/10AM)
Shed-to-House Conversion 101
Session 1a & 1b
(Fri/1PM & Sun/2PM)
John and Fin are DIY and repurposing fanatics… and it shows in their creations. Videos of their greenhouse-bathroom and greenhouse-kitchen have gone viral with millions of views from around the World, but not only because of their beauty and uniqueness, but also because John and Fin use repurposed, salvaged, and left-over materials. John’s family is Amish, and he likes to say he was raised with a hammer in his hand, and that he was blessed by his Daadi (Grandfather) and Daed (Father) for teaching him his building kills. Fin is a renowned interior designer and tiny house architect designer, who is the imaginative talent behind all of their builds and creations. During this session, John will be sharing how he & Fin created their shed-to-house conversion they have been living in for the past 12+ years… and where they get all their reclaimed, repurposed, and salvaged building materials, windows, lumber, and other salvaged materials. Important Note: It is suggested attendees bring closed-toe shoes, a pair of good construction gloves and eye protection for some of the weekend’s possible activities.
Hosts of 2023 Off-Grid Winter Workshop Camp
John & Fin Kernohan
John and Fin are the Founders of the United Tiny House Association, which is the largest tiny lifestyle advocacy organization in the World with over 71K+ members. They are the organizers of the 30 for-charity tiny house festivals, which have raised and donated over $788K+ to over 100+ charities & great causes. They own 3 tiny houses on wheels (including the World famous Tiny Firehouse – Station No. 9), 2 yurts, 2 geodesic dome, a skoolie, multiple DIY structures, and 2 bell tents, which are all located on their 16-acre Beloved Cabin Tiny House Homestead & Stay. They and their tiny home creations have been featured on A&E, HGTV, DIY Network, GAC, TODAY, The Rachael Ray Show, Apple TV+, AOL’s “Dream Big-Live Small“, JEOPARDY!, and numerous other programs and media outlets around the World… plus, they and the small homes were featured on 14 episodes on “Living Smaller”, which debuted in 2022 on A&E. John & Fin have been living 12 years in their Off-Grid DIY 304sqft Beloved Cabin, and are DIY & Re-purposing Experts, Off-Grid Experts/Consultants, Philanthropists, Full-Time Tiny Lifestyle Advocates, Public Speakers; and authors of “Tiny Talks: Communicating BIG with Love & Laughter”.
