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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 eventsit'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 optionalas 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.

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