Homecoming: A Women's Retreat
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October 3-5, 2008
Kingsley Pines
Flow of Weekend
The retreat begins
on Friday, October 3rd at 4:00 p.m. and ends on Sunday,
October 5th at 12:00 p.m. In the spirit of a true retreat,
women will be asked to refrain from leaving the camp once they arrive.
The idea is to stay.
When you first
arrive, you will be checked-in and shown to your cabin. You will have
some time to get acquainted with your surroundings before dinner. Dinner
(and all meals) will be casual events—it's
a come-as-you-are and eat-what-and-where-you-like sort of affair. To
that end, meals may be taken alone, in silence, at a table with friends
or new faces, or outside on a picnic blanket or in Adirondack chairs or
the beach by the water.
This retreat was
designed with enough structure and offerings to create a framework, but
enough spaciousness to let things emerge. To that end, Saturday will be
the only day we will be offering traditional workshops (called
“circles”). We’ll be offering one in the morning and one in the
afternoon, sandwiched by healthy doses of “free” time to process, nap,
or do whatever your heart desires.
Every day will
begin and end in community (called “waves”). This is entirely optional—as
is everything at this retreat. We will gather as a community for the
first time following dinner on Friday night. This will be our official
opening, with a welcoming ceremony, a storyteller, a bonfire and our
first of two art installation events. We will end in a community closing
ceremony late Sunday morning after hearing another story and then will
take our leave after brunch.
Periodically
during the course of the retreat, you might notice smaller, more
spontaneous activities or events happening—sunrise meditation or yoga on
the beach, singing or drumming by the fire at night, knitting circles,
card games, or water-color painting. These are not necessarily planned,
but will typically just emerge out of one person’s energy or
inspiration. Some will be announced in the morning or at dinner and some
will just happen. Either way, these will be called “ripples” and we
heartily welcome them.
Speaking of
sandwiches (we were not too long ago…), the food at this retreat will
feed your spirit and soul as well as your body. It will be equal
measures healthy, comfort, and sassy. It will be hearty and light,
depending on your choices and combinations. We have an amazing team in
the kitchen that is very excited to welcome you home with a host of
flavors, options, and presentations. We are very capable of and
interested in making sure those women with special dietary needs are
afforded the same level of comfort and options that other women are. To
help us in doing this, PLEASE be sure to include any specific dietary
restrictions or special requests on your registration form.