the grind / downtime / community / the campus / the dorm / the bh / the valley

The nature and depth of the community is perhaps best expressed through the functioning of the Boarding House (BH). Everyone has to work in the BH for two terms before they graduate from Deep Springs. It is also a space in which much of our labor finds its conclusion - everyone contributes to the BH operation in one form or another. The butcher, the student driver, the feed man, the dairy boys, the gardeners, and the cooks all contribute to meals and the BHer's are obviously directly involved with cleanup. Farm team and GL are constantly doing projects for dairy boys and student gardeners. Even work that's designated for farm team, like fixing fence and growing alfalfa, makes it possible to serve Deep Springs beef in the BH.

Meals are served at seven thirty, twelve thirty, and six. Everyone eats together: president with mechanic, mechanic with students, students with mothers and fathers and children. The food is exceptional. All of the milk, eggs, and beef, as well as some vegetables and dairy products, are produced at Deep Springs. There is usually a professional chef on staff who is in charge of cleanliness and order in the kitchen, as well as for teaching his or her student cooks the ins and outs of the kitchen.

Many of the students and faculty members are great cooks. Over the weekends the cooking is opened up to community members. Students and faculty sign up for meals they would like to cook and everyone gets a chance to share their culinary skills and tastes with the community.

There is always someone in the boarding house. There is constantly either a cook or a BH team working between five in the morning and eight at night. The BH is also a favorite hang out for the SB at all times of the day.