Get Involved
Build with
us.
500 Acres brings together fellows, builders, and supporters to transform land near national parks into homes. Whether you want to train in digital fabrication, volunteer for a build weekend, or support the mission — there's a way in.
Express InterestYour Journey
Three ways in.
Apply
Join the next fellowship cohort. Learn digital fabrication, timber framing, and small-business skills through the Six Steps curriculum — and build your path to homeownership.
Attend
Join the monthly Live Forum — the last Friday of every month. Hear from the team, see build progress, ask questions, and connect with the 500 Acres community.
Build
Volunteer for a build weekend and get hands-on with real construction. No experience required — just a willingness to learn, lift, and work alongside the crew.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Get Started
Express
interest.
Tell us about yourself and what interests you. Whether you're exploring the fellowship, want to volunteer at a build weekend, or have another way to contribute — we want to hear from you.
- Free to apply — no costs ever
- We respond within 3 business days
- No experience required
Build Program
Hands-on training,
real housing.
Our build weekends bring fellows and volunteers together on real sites near national parks. Working side by side, crews learn digital fabrication with CNC and ShopBot tools, assemble Camp Pod kits, and raise structures that become workforce housing.
Apply for a fellowship to learn the Six Steps curriculum — from digital fabrication to timber framing to small-business skills. Or volunteer for a build weekend and get hands-on with construction. No prior experience needed.
Support
Help us build homes
where they're needed most.
Your contribution helps acquire land near national parks, fund fellowship training, produce housing kits, and create communities where the next generation can afford to live and build careers.
Donate