Hello, my name is Phil “Chewtoy” Causey and I am the founder of Awesome Possum Van Works and Recreation. Two years ago I began this business strictly aimed at 4×4 van conversions; A simple way to make a living doing what I love. I became aware of #vanlife and #skoolielife and the ever increasing number of people seeking out this alternative lifestyle. I began watching, listening, and learning what this community overall most commonly needed. I have ever since been developing my best approach at how to satisfy those needs and make an honest living at it. Awesome Possum is my response.
From day-1 Awesome Possum has been a custom shop, though as it has grown, and as I’ve learned more about the needs of my customers, Awesome Possum has evolved into so much more.
Our focus is five-fold:
- Awesome Possum is a custom fabrication shop. If you want something built, we can build it. This is the place where you call the shots on your conversion. You specify the parts you want, the way you want things built, the materials used, every single detail is up to you (Unless of course you specifically give us artistic license to create and incorporate our own specs). Bottom line though is we are a custom shop. If you want a plain Jane cookie cutter conversion then you’re in the wrong spot.
- Awesome Possum is a DIY build center for vans and buses and most likely anything else anyone wants to build. That’s right, we provide a secure location, water, electricity, tools, whatever you may need is available and if we don’t have it yet then rest assured we’re working on getting it. We are the place where you can bring your van or bus and you work on it, you build it, you’re your own boss and you do it all your own way. And enjoy the advantage of being around other DIY’ers who are willing to share knowledge and being around seasoned pro fabricators who are willing to share tips and good advice. Plus the huge obvious advantages of no HOA or even city rules, no nosy neighbors complaining about your project while it’s a mess being built, no authorities, no threat of towing, nothing but peace of mind while you get through your build and get ready for the great adventure awaiting you next.
- Awesome Possum is a place to live while you’re building or getting work done on your van or bus or whatever vehicle you happen to be living out of. That’s right, you can stay right here where your project is underway. I noticed quickly one of the hardest things for people in this lifestyle is where to work on or get work done on the vehicle they live in. When other shops close for the day they lock the doors and send you home. But what if “home” is left parked in their shop? What do you do? Do you pay whatever rate is asked at a nearby motel? Do you Uber to the nearest campground (which may not be near at all)? Neither of those are a very good solution for someone who lives out of their vehicle. That’s why Awesome Possum provides camping space for all customers and we give our customers a safe and friendly place to be while work is done.
- Awesome Possum is a hub for fellow quality artisans, craftsmen, and contractors. What? You mean we allow other business owners to work from here as a base? Yes! That is a standing offer on the table for anyone to take advantage of. Do you have a particular talent for solar installs, welding, plumbing, or some other van/skoolie related service? Do you need a storefront to work from and a steady stream of customers passing through? Do you do your business with integrity always maintaining the highest standards? Are you an honest, friendly, outgoing individual who like me loves building vans and buses? Then maybe this is the place for you and we should talk.
- Awesome Possum is a family friendly working farm. Yep, technically the place here where Awesome Possum is located is in fact on the Sow’s Ear Farm which I also own and operate. This is a place where kids run and play and families have a safe place to get their work done. We are somewhat remote rural. This is a friendly down home kind of place where friends gather to accomplish great things.
And we continue to evolve and grow daily. We have a simple mission here. We want to make the build part of your conversion, be it bus or van, as easy and painless as possible. Most everyone who moves into this lifestyle needs, or at least could benefit from, a stable, safe, and fun launching point.
There is almost always several weeks of build time for vans, often months for buses. We just want to make it easy. We are here to give you the most pleasant, trouble free, economical, and convenient build experience possible and we want to see you succeed and get on with your big adventures.
And of course we hope you pass back through to tell us all about your travels. 🙂
Summary of camp rules at Awesome Possum
All guests are required to sign the following agreement upon arrival:
- Awesome Possum operates as a camp ground and not as a long term residence. Awesome Possum rents on site spaces for customers to DIY build their projects on a daily basis. The utilities we provide are for the primary purpose of customers building their projects. Customers who follow all rules are allowed to stay as long as they need to in order to complete their projects and they are allowed to camp in tents or in their vehicles while they build. This does not constitute residence at Awesome Possum. It simply means that we understand customers will probably need to eat, drink, shower, and sleep over the course of time they are here and we understand that their respective project vehicles are often not drivable for them to go elsewhere for those domestic needs and so we allow our guests to meet their domestic living needs while here as our guest.
- In order to remain as a guest at Awesome Possum the following rules are strictly applied. Violation of any rule in this section is grounds for immediate removal from the property.
- Be polite and respectful of others beliefs and opinions. There is no hate allowed inside my gates
- Be clean and respectful of taking care of your camp/build site. Trash should go to the dumpster every day and no cigarette butts or trash on the ground.
- Do not leave tools outside or scattered. Return all tools to the shop when you are done using them every day.
- Do not “poison the well”. That is do not trash talk Awesome Possum or any guest or customer of Awesome Possum while you are present on Awesome Possum property over any social media outlet or even out loud on the phone where others can hear. If you have a problem being here then it’s time to leave.
- The happy place rule. If this is not a place where you are happy then we want you to leave and go find a place where you are happy. No one here wants to be around unhappy people.
- Awesome Possum reserves the right to terminate the contract at any point for any reason. Termination of contract means immediate removal from Awesome Possum property. Cancellation of contract due to violation of camp or shop rules will not provide any refund for time paid in advance.
- Awesome Possum requires all customers to maintain a clean camp/build site. Sites are subject to inspection daily and are expected to be cleaned daily. All trash and debris is to be carried to the dumpsters upon completion of work each day. Violations of this policy include any and all trash left on the ground including cigarette butts, paper, plastic, wood, metal, etc.
- Neatly stacked building materials which are outside while work is progressing is acceptable.
- Rental of a shipping container or POD and having on site is acceptable
- Having a tent set up for storage of materials is acceptable
4. Pet policy:
- Customers are limited to no more than 3 dogs and the dogs must be friendly and approachable by both people and other dogs and cats. It will be at the discretion of Awesome Possum as to whether or not dogs are friendly or not. We can make recommendations for kennel boarding for non friendly dogs. Also dogs must be on leashes at all times.The owner of any dog which bites or causes damage to anyone else is responsible for paying for any medical bills or item replacement. Also any dog which causes any problem will be required to be removed from the property immediately.
- All Texas laws regarding the care of animals will be enforced and anyone who mistreats an animal will be turned over to local authorities and their contract terminated immediately.
- Cats are welcome and allowed.
5. Registration. You must register upon arrival and this contract must be signed in order to stay. Registration requires a valid I.D. and a photo will be taken of all guests I.D.’s. Also vehicle license plate number.
6. Site rental fee. This is due upon arrival and I will accept payment for days in advance. However it is to be understood that site rentals are by the day only and are subject to termination as outlined in section 1 above.
7. DIY’ers. This is a DIY build center. That means DO IT YOURSELF. It does not mean show up and have an entitled attitude that everyone here is going to come do it for you at your beck and call. If you need shop assistance then the shop will be happy to help but you will have to get in line with everyone else. Just because a customer finds out they really can’t DIY and suddenly needs help does not mean that customer gets to cut in line for immediate assistance. I am booked with work for weeks and there is a waiting list. you could be waiting days, weeks, or even months if you get in over your head and have to hire me to do it for you. I am not responsible for anyone overestimating their own abilities. No exceptions.
8. Customers who either help one another or hire outside contractors. I have no issue with this however the rules for contractors spelled out above applies. And if a customer hires help outside of my shop and that help leaves things disassembled or incomplete or did something wrong it is not my problem. I will be happy to fix or complete these issues when they arise however no one gets to cut in line of work for others in progress. My regular shop rates will apply for all work I do.
9. Considerations for children and rock hounds
Rock herding in North TX. at Awesome Possum
Baby rocks grow here, they pop up out of the earth with each heavy rain. You can see them scattered everywhere and when it’s time to mow the grass we must herd all the baby rocks up so we don’t smash them into gravel with the lawnmower blades.
If the baby rocks get hit they run away screaming and break things like windshields and faces.
It is super important to note here that rocks should never be thrown. It traumatizes them and again they rebel and cause damage. Also dogs are used to catching balls and if they see a rock thrown they will try to catch it too. This causes very expensive damage to doggie teeth.and whomever throws a rock that breaks dogs teeth will be billed accordingly
For this purpose we encourage everyone and especially little people who are prone to picking up rocks to please place them in the rock corral and leave them there. Actually we insist that if anyone feels the need to pick up random rocks that they deposit them in appropriate places. Our qualified rock herders will pick them up from there and take them out to places where they can grow and not get hurt such as our many rock retaining walls.
One last note about the baby rocks. We use forensics much like the FBI to understand if the baby is where it was born or if it was tossed and traumatized. Fact is baby rocks have bare earth under them where they are born. Those that have been tossed are always laying on top of now dead grass. Yes, that’s right, the angry thrown rocks have now murdered innocent grass in their unnatural state. Poor grass. It’s a “dead” giveaway every time (forgive the pun). So we know which rocks were thrown and we know who is nearby most likely doing the throwing, it’s really not rocket science.
Now I need to move on to the more mature rocks, the ones that have been caught and corralled. I am speaking about the rock retaining walls which are scattered around our property as needed. We have spent 8 years here now and when we bought this place all those rocks you see neatly stacked in retaining walls were in fact scattered everywhere, freerange roaming on the prairie grass. We have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on heavy machinery to herd all these rocks into useful walls. Now I do understand the desire in every kid to walk along the top of the rock walls, I do it too. But I must insist that no one knocks the rocks off the walls just to see them tumble down. It is cruel and it can break the rocks. And they can land on toes and make people cry. Also I have personally picked up those rocks that keep getting knocked down hundreds of times. I really do not need the workout, it is not fun, and I would like them to stay put. For this reason I am beginning a rock rehoming fee for each one I find knocked down should I find anyone knocking them down. This will be a fee of $3 per rock for ones I can lift and $10 per rock for the big ones that require help or machinery. I do hope this is sufficient motivation that the rocks will simply stay in place. I have seriously spent at least 5 minutes every week for the last year picking up these rocks over and over. That is 260 min or 4 hours and 20 min of my life I will never get back. In a decade that will add up to more than a 40 hour work week. I really do have better things to do with my time.
10. Release of liability: In consideration of being allowed to camp, fix, repair, build, or create any items while present on property owned by Phillip Causey DBA Awesome Possum Van Works and Recreation, I agree to comply with any and all rules, regulations, terms, and conditions of ID-10-T form as well as any special instructions received, including but not limited to the following:
- I certify that I am physically able to participate in any activity, and that I have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical professional.
- I acknowledge and fully understand that as a guest or as a participant, I will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, property loss and severe social and economic losses. These risks include, but are not limited to, those caused by: (a) the actions, inactions, or negligence of Phillip Causey, Phillip Causey’s family, or Awesome Possum Van Works and Recreation; (b) conditions of the premises or equipment used; (c) rules and regulations regarding the activities; (d) temperature; (e) weather; (f) condition of participants and guests; (g) the widespread use by participants and guests of fire, torches, welders, explosions, power tools, hand tools, vehicles, and other similar activities; and (h) vehicular traffic, including but not limited to “mutant vehicles,” “art cars,” bicycles, and e-bikes. I further acknowledge and fully understand that there may also be other risks that are not known or foreseeable at this time. I KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISK OF PROPERTY LOSS, PERSONAL INJURY, SERIOUS INJURY, OR DEATH, WHICH MAY OCCUR BY BEING A GUEST OF PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, AND HEREBY FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND HOLD PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM SUCH RISK, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, OR FROM THIRD PARTIES, AND I ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR MY PARTICIPATION AND PRESENCE
- I understand that while present at Awesome Possum Van Works and Recreation art installations, theme camps, vehicles (including but not limited to “mutant vehicles” and “art cars”), events, and performances will be held and/or on display, and I understand that most of these activities are not owned or operated by PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION. I ASSUME ALL RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF AND/OR MY PARTICIPATION IN ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES, AND THE RELEASE IN SECTION 2 APPLIES TO ANY RELATED INJURY I MIGHT SUSTAIN.
- I understand that there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other communicable diseases at any campground gathering like AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION regardless of any enhanced health and safety measures and my test/vaccination status. BY ENTERING AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, I KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THE RISK THAT I MAY BE EXPOSED TO OR INFECTED BY COVID-19 OR ANOTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASE OR ILLNESS, AND/OR THAT I MAY EXPOSE OR INFECT OTHERS, AND THAT SUCH EXPOSURE OR INFECTION MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, PERMANENT DISABILITY, AND/OR DEATH. I accept sole responsibility for any claims arising from or related to my stay at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, including any exposure to COVID-19 or health and safety requirements at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, and I agree that the waiver of liability and release set forth in Section 5 of these Terms and Conditions applies to any claim relating to COVID-19 or any other communicable disease.
- I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, hereby waive, release, discharge, and agree not to sue PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION and other participants, sponsors, and if applicable, owners and lessors of equipment, art installations, and premises used to conduct all aspects of daily life with PHILLIP CAUSEY while at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION or related activities (collectively the “Releasees”), from any and all claims for damages, injuries, losses, liabilities, and expenses that I may have or that may subsequently accrue to me relating to, resulting from, or arising out of my stay at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, including in any programs, events, art installations, or activities during my stay at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION , and including any injury or damage to my person or property, or to that of any other person or property. If PHILLIP CAUSEY or AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION files a claim against me, however, I may file a counterclaim related to the same facts and circumstances. I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the Releasees harmless from and against any and all claims by third parties for damages, injuries, losses, liabilities, and expenses relating to, resulting from, or arising out of my stay at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, including in any programs, events, art installations, or activities during my stay. I intend that the waiver and release of liability contained in these Terms and Conditions shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.
- I acknowledge that people are using film, video, and photographic cameras, audio recorders, live streaming devices, and other means of capturing media at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, and that my image, likeness, actions, and statements may be captured on film, video, photographs, audio recordings, streams, or other media that may be displayed or disseminated simultaneously or subsequently without my consent or payment of compensation to me, and I release PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION from any liability due to such capturing, display, or dissemination.
- I understand that children under 18 years of age may stay at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION only accompanied by a parent or guardian, and if I bring a minor to AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, I agree to the contractual terms contained in these Terms and Conditions on behalf of the minor.
- I consent to have medical treatment that may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident, and/or illness during any activity at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION. I release PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION and all persons participating in any such medical treatment from all responsibility for any such actions.
- I agree that PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION is not liable for acts of God, the weather, health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, strikes, protests, or actions taken by government agencies and similar causes. I understand that camp/build site fees and vehicle passes are non-refundable even if AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION is closed, or entry conditions are modified, due to weather, acts of nature, governmental regulation, t or conditions beyond PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION’s control.
- I understand that (a) I must provide my own food, shelter, and first aid to survive at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION in a harsh environment, (b) PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION is not responsible for any personal property lost or abandoned staying at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION and I am solely responsible for the costs associated with the return of any personal property recovered by PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION
- Refund and Cancellation Policy. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds or exchanges will be issued for any reason. Fees are non-refundable.
- Location Ingress and Egress. Due to AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION remote location, the vehicle capacity limitations of the roads leading to it, the possible impact of severe weather at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, restrictions placed by PHILLIP CAUSEY AND AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION on maximum population at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, I understand that I may be subject to lengthy delays in entering and departingAWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, and that AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION may shut down ingress and/or egress (“Exodus”) at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to the interest of safety or requirements of the AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION and state or federal agencies. I will be prepared for long waits during both ingress and Exodus and will comply with all instructions about ingress and Exodus at all times. I understand that if my vehicle is disabled or abandoned anywhere at AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION, my vehicle may be towed at my expense off AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION or away from the AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION site entirely. I expressly release AWESOME POSSUM VAN WORKS AND RECREATION and its agents from liability for any damage to my vehicle that may result from the towing process.
- These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and enforced according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to any rules relating to conflicts of laws. I understand that any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions must be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Graham, Texas, and I submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of litigating all such claims or disputes.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS, AND I DO SO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR DURESS.
Thank you for your attention and respect to these matters and happy camping!
Awesome Possum Van Works and Recreation – Graham, Texas