Claymont residents fulfill a vital need in the Claymont Community and are the backbone of the community. As such, Residency is a serious decision and not everyone is suited to Residency. Because of this, Claymont has developed a process that allows prospective Residents and the current community to learn about each other over time.

Individuals interested in Claymont Residency are first asked to Visit Claymont for a short period of time (3 weeks). Once both Claymont and the prospective Resident have decided to move on to the next step, the individuals becomes an Intern for 1 year. After a successful internship, and with approval from the Residential Community, you can be approved as a Full Member of the Claymont Community.

A community relies on the strengths and skills of its members. In adherence of J.G. Bennett’s philosophy of self-perfection, Claymont asks that all Claymont Residents and Members develop a specialization that combines individual strengths and areas of interest with the short and long term needs of the community and Claymont Businesses. Claymont actively seeks out and recruits those who have mastered different skill sets and have focused on areas of specialization that can contribute to the Claymont Community. All residents are encouraged to develop an area of specialization and attain advanced training during their continued time with Claymont. Some areas that you could become involved in our the Event Business, Maintenance, Honey Production, Community Supported Agriculture, or Resource Management.

The Residential Process

INTEREST
The first step in Claymont Residency is to read about J.G. Bennett, the Claymont Community, the Claymont Mission, the Call for a New Society, and our Guiding Tenants.  This will give you a good foundation to determine if life at Claymont might be for you. These readings can be done before or during your application process.

APPLY
The next step is to contact our Visitor Coordinator by Phone (304) 725-4437 or Email to fill out your application and to schedule your Claymont Visit. The Visitor Coordinator can also answer any questions you may have.

VISITOR
The next step in the process is to visit with Claymont for 3 weeks. During this period of time you will live on the property and contribute to the community the same ways that Residents do. This will allow you to gain a real understanding of what life at Claymont is like.

INTERNSHIP
Interns will be given opportunities to learn about and participate in the spiritual, practical, and interpersonal work of living as a community. Internship is the final step prior to full residency. During this phase applicants live on the property full time for 1 year. Applicants live in Claymont housing, contribute to the community work in an ongoing and timely basis, learn about Bennett & the founding principles of Claymont, and participate in ongoing Spiritual and Inner Work. Interns submit to periodic review to assess their time at Claymont.

FULL RESIDENCY
At the end of the Internship year both the Intern and the Claymont community will review the application and decide if Claymont Residency is suitable. If the applicant is accepted as a Full Resident then s/he will have all the rights and responsibilities of full residents.

What is Claymont looking for?

Motivated individuals who have a strong commitment to their spiritual walk and Inner Life.

The Basics: Individuals who wish to live at Claymont must demonstrate themselves to be self starting, able to follow directions, and able to harmonize with the shifting dynamics and needs of community life. Residents are required to work 40 hours per month, sometimes more depending on the needs of the Seminar and Society Businesses so all applicants should be able to contribute fully. Specific training is not necessary as the community at Claymont will help you to find your niche, but skilled applicants are always appreciated.

Inner Life: Claymont is open to those who walk all paths, but Claymont does have guiding documents, a premise, and a spiritual path. Ideal applicants will have an understanding of the founders and philosophies of Claymont, be willing to learn more about the Fourth Way, and be able to incorporate their spiritual walk with the Inner Life at Claymont.

Residential Expectations

Residents at Claymont are expected to participate in the practical and spiritual work at Claymont while taking care of and managing their own personal needs. Here are a few ways Residents contribute and what they are responsible for.

Community Meetings
Residents are expected to attend all Community meetings and activities. Every week Residents gather together to prepare the Seminar facilities for the upcoming week. This is followed by a community dinner and a Residential meeting. At Residential meetings Residents can share their contributions for the previous month, discuss community announcements, policies, changes, upcoming events, and much more. Weekly Inner Work Meetings are available to Residents to develop their spiritual practice and throughout the year there are work weekends and Community Events and activities.

Inner Work – Residents are expected to learn about J.G. Bennett and the Fourth Way. They are encouraged to develop their own spiritual practice by participating in community Inner Work, Practical Work opportunities, and by studying and practicing at home. Claymont is first adn foremost a spiritual community who helps facilitate Fourth Way weekends and other learning opportunities that Residents are encouraged to participate in. 

Community Contributions – Community can only funcation when all of its parts are working together with one purpose. Residents are expected to be a part of this working and contribute 40 hours per month. Activities range from cleaning and cooking for Seminars & Retreats, to tending the over 300 acres of beautiful preserved land, to taking on special projects to benefit the Residential and Societal Communities. There are as many ways to contribute as you can dream up!

Housing Responsibilities – Claymont is not an income sharing organization, so Residents are responsible for maintaining their own living areas and expenses. Claymont is responsible for structural integrity, but Residents are expected to maintain their homes, the surrounding grounds, basic maintenance, and to pay for their own heating, wood, cooking fuel, electricity, telephones, internet, cable, and other personal expenses. Residents are also asked to be responsible and notify maintenance of any needs their house might have to keep it functioning properly.

FAQs

As a resident how many hours must I contribute?
Residents are required to commit to 40 hours of community contributions per month.

How is my contribution tracked?
Residents create and present a contribution commitment plan for the upcoming month to other residents at the mandatory Resident’s Meeting. The next month, Residents report back to the community on their successes, changes to the plan, and hours fulfilled. A summary of Resident working hours is turned in for long-term tracking. 

What counts as a contribution?
Contributions come in many forms. Hours in the kitchen, ground maintenance, technological research, event laundry, event cleaning, business management, grant writing, office work, etc. all count toward your contribution to Claymont. Plans for personal growth, stretch tasks, and inner work can and should be talked about at the Resident’s meeting, but these will not count towards Claymont work hour requirements.

Can I use my time at Claymont just to research technology and practices that interest me?
No. The needs of the Claymont Community and Businesses come before personal interest. Ideally the needs of Claymont will match areas that interest you. However, in the event where Claymont needs your labor or skills these needs must be met before Residents are free to pursue personal interests. Regardless of need, Claymont commitments must have a benefit to the Claymont community to be counted as part of your contribution commitment for residency.

What are the benefits and rights of being a Full Resident?
Full Residents are eligible to become Sponsors for future Interns, become members of different Claymont Committees such as Management, Landskeeping, Resident Membership, etc., and may be eligible for Claymont Society Membership.

Is being a Claymont Society Member different from being a Claymont Resident?
Yes! You can be a Society Member, a Resident, or you can be both. Residency is not required for Society Membership, nor is Society Membership required to begin Residency. Residents and Society Members fulfill different and necessary functions for Claymont.