April/May is for birth moms only (it’s been helpful to have special support around Mother’s Day)

September/October is for any woman touched by adoption, whether adoptee, birth mom, or foster/adoptive/kinship mom. (We think learning from one another’s experiences can be powerful!)

*We intend for both of these retreats to continue on an annual basis

Thursday: Check in starts at noon! When you arrive, expect to be greeted at the door. We’ll help you grab your bags and show you to your room. You can take a minute to breathe, unpack, and riffle through the no-junk gift bag waiting on your bed. We know those first few hours can feel a bit overwhelming so we try to make it a gentle transition. We let Thursday be soft with no workshops or heavy obligations, just a little art therapy, slow introductions, conversations over a nourishing dinner, an after dinner walk and an ice cream social for good measure.

Friday and Saturday: These days will be a bit more full with a well thought-out balance of workshops, outdoor adventures, chef prepared meals, time to rest, art supplies at the ready and endless conversations. While we want to ensure you get the most out of our time together, we also believe in autonomy and if you feel the need to dip out of a workshop to go for a walk or take a nap while the rest of us adventure, there is no pressure to be present for every moment. 

Sunday: We aim for the send off to be slow and gentle as well. Where I’m from we call it a southern goodbye and I (Raquel) am an expert at them! Checkout is at noon so that you can sleep in, pack up un-rushed, and squeeze in all the words you didn’t get out the night before. We’ll provide a simple breakfast and set out leftovers from the weekend with paper bags so that you can graze or pack a lunch to go. For those who want a little extra time and a more challenging adventure, we try to add an additional outing.

Participation is encouraged but not mandatory. You have autonomy over your experiences! While we try to have a variety of activities, we know there are different levels of capacity.

We encourage you to contact us before booking to ensure the accomodations are suitable for your needs. 

You likely will be sharing a room with other attendees, but have your own bed. If you would like to have a private suite, we typically have a couple spots available.

Yes! Please let us know so our chef can make sure we have meals that everyone can enjoy!

Price varies depending on the location, housing, the type of room you pick, and that darn inflation. And yes, we know the investment is higher than a majority of other birthmom, adoption, foster, or kinship focused retreats, but the cost reflects the quality. Quality housing. Quality meals. Quality experiences.  Psst… If you are able to help sponsor to make this retreat attainable for more attendees, visit our support the initiative page!

A limited amount of scholarships will be available for those who could benefit from this event but need a little extra help making it a reality. An attendee from 2025 graciously shared her experience of how she made a way even when it seemed unrealistic! You can read it here!

Yes! We announce early to allow you to set up a 6 month payment plan if needed! We’ve found breaking up the cost makes it a bit easier for most to manage.

You’ll need to plan your travel (which is not included). We will add you to our retreat group to share updates, coordinate a ride from the airport, if needed, and get to know each other before we meet in person at the retreat. About a month before we gather in person, Leah and I will host a Google Meet to answer questions, ease some of those last minute jitters and yap about how much fun we’re going to have! 

"I have a happy personality with a heavy soul. Sometimes, it gets weird." pretty much sums it up! But seriously, have you read all the incredible studies about the value of play in healing and rewiring neural pathways?! Fascinating stuff! Turns out the age old mantra, "laughter is the best medicine"  is actually rooted in truth and we are so excited to help you re-discover the childlike wonder we tend to disconnect from as we experience hardships and trauma. A bit introverted and afraid it might be awkward? No worries, it's always organic and never forced so you can laugh and smile at the shenanigans from a safe distance!