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Healing with Nature Retreat
May 30, 2023 @ 4:00 pm - June 4, 2023 @ 1:00 pm
$585 – $1400
This weekend nature-centered mindfulness and meditation retreat is an opportunity to heal, re-connect and re-emerge into a greater sense of wholeness in the beautiful landscape of the Colorado Mountains.
Through this retreat, we will explore how nature-based practices, our relational connection to the natural world, and related somatic experiencing can support healing and transformation of challenging or traumatic experiences.
We will have an opportunity to study, practice, and integrate the wisdom of these teachings in the community. You will have the opportunity to relax and reflect, be led on nature meditations, reflective journaling exercises, and beautiful hikes, all while strengthening your skills to integrate it all into your everyday life.
Example of Daily Schedule:
6am – Wake up bell
6:30 – Meditation
7:15 – Breakfast
8:30 – Morning program
12:00 – Lunch
12:30-2pm – Free time
2:00 – Afternoon program
5:00 – Dinner
6:00 – Evening program
8:30-9:00 – Ready for bed/sleep
What You Will Love:
– Guidance and instruction in all of the activities described above
– Sitting, walking, and playtime in a beautiful wild setting
– Free time for rest
– Evening “community-building” and celebration
– One-on-ones with the teachers
– Delicious plant-based meals, and tea and coffee
– Your choice of lodging: a single room or outdoor tent site
What You Should Know:
– Our retreat is designed to be enjoyable, not rigorous … and participants are expected to have an open mind and heart as we build our community and share experiences together:
– There will be a flow between alone time and group time, but come prepared to enjoy others, and participate in community and group activities.
–Use of silence: every effort is made to support a deep and fruitful retreat, and noble silence can be a valuable part of the process. We will weave periods of silence into the retreat at strategic times, to allow you to go deeper within. Some meals may be in silence.
-We will all share in the community work around meal preparation and cleanup. You will be able to choose your helper/yogi job. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.
-Some mindfulness experience is valuable but not required, and beginners are welcome. Complete mindfulness instructions will be given, appropriate for your level.
-If you choose to camp, then some camping experience (car camping or backpacking) is helpful, but not required. You can stay as close to the Lodge or as far away as you like.
-You should be in good health, able to sit and walk outdoors, tolerate the 8,500-foot elevation, and smile through sudden weather changes.
-Bring the necessary clothing and equipment to enjoy being outdoors in a variety of conditions. We will be able to be indoors in inclement weather but otherwise will be sitting, eating and walking outdoors.
-Please note that the center is at 8,500 feet, similar to most Colorado ski towns. If you are concerned about acclimating from sea level, please consider a day or two in the Denver/Boulder area before the retreat. You may also want to consider bringing supplements to support acclimation.
–It is important to us that everyone makes a commitment to be present for the entirety of the retreat (from Tuesday at 4 pm through Sunday at 1 pm), so please plan your travel arrangements accordingly! The program starts: Tuesday, May 30th at 4 pm, and ends June 4th at 1pm
-You will be unplugged and out of cell phone or wifi reach — during the retreat. Please complete all personal business before you arrive. The staff will have the ability to make and receive emergency calls on your behalf, but the phone is not available for personal use.
– COVID SAFETY/REQUIREMENTS
[To be determined closer to the retreat date.]
If you have any questions, please email Rochelle – rochelle@newmindfullife.com
Food & Lodging Prices:
You may camp in a beautiful campsite, or stay in the lodge. Lodge rooms are for single individuals or couples or friends consenting to room together. If you reserve a space in a single room, you may request to change your rooming to a double, with another consenting participant. Contact Kathy at registrar@rmerc.org if you will be rooming with another participant.
Early Bird 10% Discount before April 15, 2022
$585 – Camping
$665 – Glamping
$665 – Semi-private Nook (single)
$665 – Curtain Room
$770 – Single Room
$665|$1150 – RV Camping
$1,400 – Double (2 single beds; couples only; cost per couple)
$1,400 – Double (1 double bed; couples only; cost per couple)
Book and Register Now w/ RMERC
Teacher Donations (Dana)
None of this cost-share goes to the teachers or to the manager, who are solely supported by the dana (generosity) of the participants. In the tradition of the Buddha, teachings are offered without a set fee, keeping costs as low as possible, so no one is excluded due to finances. In turn, we ask that your donation be as generous as possible within your means. Please bring a check or cash. We are grateful for your support.
Scholarships
It is our intention that cost not be an impediment to practice. If you cannot afford to attend without a fee reduction, you can ask for a scholarship on the registration website, and then just pay the remaining amount.
Anyone with financial hardship is welcome to apply and will be assessed based on needs and fund availability. We ask that you request the lowest amount required to attend the retreat so that we can offer support to as many people as possible. Please reach out to rochelle@newmindfullife.com. to discuss options and support.
Payment, Deposits
A non-refundable deposit of $180 is due at the time of registration. Full payment is due 60 days before the retreat start date; your credit card will automatically be charged at that time.
Cancellation, and Refund Policies
– If you cancel your retreat at any time, the $180 registration fee is not refunded.
– Cancellations received 60-30 days prior will get a refund of half of the final payment.
– Cancellations 30-7 days prior will get a refund of a quarter of the final payment.
– For cancellations inside of 7 days there will be no refunds.
Special Needs
Figuring menus and quantities, shopping, organizing, and cooking are complex and crucial tasks for a retreat. We provide simple, wholesome, natural, predominantly organic, vegetarian meals. We can accommodate common food allergies such as gluten, soy or dairy, but not preferences. Make sure to include on the registration form full details of any special allergy or health needs you have beyond basic vegetarianism.
(Yogi) Jobs
Some of the work necessary to support the group will be handled by participants during the retreat. You will be able to choose your yogi job, and will keep it throughout the retreat. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.
Food and Meals:
Three simple vegetarian meals a day will be provided from dinner the first day through lunch of the last, including solo food which does not require cooking or a stove. If you want a snack between meals, or supplemental protein such as jerky or packaged fish, you can bring a small quantity of packaged unrefrigerated food. Tea and coffee along with milk and sweeteners are available before and during breakfast. Please do not bring anything that needs refrigeration (medicine excepted). Excessive snacks are unnecessary: if you need a boost, a little gorp or an energy bar is sufficient for most people.
The Instructors
Dr. Rochelle Calvert
Rochelle Calvert has a devoted love to share the power and healing potential of mindfulness, somatic awareness, and nature. She has studied and taught mindfulness for the past 16 years and knows personally the transformational potential. Rochelle currently leads courses and retreats in mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and Awake in the Wild- nature-based mindfulness. She also facilitates professional training in mindfulness for clinicians and travels the country teaching seminars.
She is a certified mindfulness teacher with the Mindfulness Teaching Institute and the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She has also trained and assisted with Mark Coleman and as an Awake in the Wild meditation teacher. She practices mindfulness-based meditation rooted in the Buddhist Theravada Tradition and practices meditation outside in nature daily.
Gregory Crespo
Gregory Crespo is an Awake in the Wild nature meditation teacher, having trained with Mark Coleman to learn to foster a rich sensitivity and connection to the natural world through mindfulness and contemplative practices. He has led weekend retreats and workshops and finds sharing mindfulness and nature practices with others to be a rewarding and inspiring part of life. He believes deeply that nature can be a healing and supportive element of meditation practice and that—for our own health and for the health of our planet—we as a species desperately need to reconnect with nature. Gregory is also a husband, father, veteran, and attorney. He lives in Washington, D.C., where he works in civil rights enforcement and compliance.
