January–June 2025 Retreat Brochure
To help you prepare for the months ahead, Prairiewoods has created six-month Retreat Brochures with details on retreats we will host during 2025. Download a printable copy of the Retreat Brochure for January–June or July–December. (If you would like us to mail you a copy, please send your mailing address to alewis@prairiewoods.org.) Within the Retreat Brochures, simply click on the retreat title to be taken to the online registration page.
In addition to offering sacred space for private retreats, Prairiewoods offers group retreats on a variety of eco-spiritual topics. We hope you’ll choose to join us for spiritual renewal and deepening through one of these retreat opportunities!
The following are group retreats we are hosting in the next few months. (All of these are in-person retreats.) Please click on the links to learn more or to register:
A Spring Day in the Garden & Woods Retreat with Scott Koepke & Aaron Brewer, Friday, May 16, 6:30 p.m.–Saturday, May 17, 4 p.m.
Learn about how nurturing botanical life can heal our mental and physical challenges in an inspirational, fun workshop that will show us just how therapeutic gardening can be.
Exploring Traditional Chinese Meditative, Healing & Martial Arts Retreat with Gerry Hopkins, Friday, May 16, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, May 18, 1 p.m.
Experience an introduction to basic Neidan, Qigong and Tai Chi practices, which are meditation movements focused on the breath and energy for peaceful conflict resolution.
The Power of Silence: June Silent Directed Retreat with Cindy Dunn; Ann Jackson, PBVM; Leslie Schwarting; Lucille Winnike, FSPA; & Joann Gehling, FSPA; Sunday, June 8, 5 p.m.–Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m.
Enter into deep silence to sense what it feels like to awaken a quiet and palpable connection with the Source of All Being during a weeklong silent retreat with plenty of time to reflect, meditate, pray and rest.
Cultivating Peace through Mindfulness & Social Emotional Behavioral Support, Course 1 with Sarah Montgomery, PhD, & Ann Jackson, PBVM, Monday, June 16, 1 p.m.–Wednesday, June 18, 1 p.m.
Learn mindfulness and social emotional behavioral support practices that you can use to support your wellbeing in the first of two one-hour credit courses for educators and any school or university staff or administrator.
Cultivating Peace through Mindfulness & Social Emotional Behavioral Support, Course 2 with Sarah Montgomery, PhD, & Ann Jackson, PBVM, Wednesday, June 18, 1 p.m.–Friday, June 20, 1 p.m.
Learn mindfulness and social emotional behavioral support practices that you can use to support your wellbeing in the second of two one-hour credit courses for educators and any school or university staff or administrator. (Course 1 is a prerequisite for taking this course.)
Cultivating an Awakened Brain Retreat with Ann Jackson, PBVM, & Leslie Schwarting; Friday, June 20, 6 p.m.–Saturday, June 21, 4 p.m. (or stay through Sunday morning with optional Saturday evening mindfulness practices)
Practice relinquishing achievement-focused activities, being mindful and tuning into the world to turn down the noise, readying our awareness for fresh insights, as we cultivate Dr. Lisa Miller’s concept of an awakened brain.
Pathways of Peace: Food as Relationship Summer Table Retreat with Christina Campbell & Ann Jackson, PBVM, Friday, June 27, 6:30 p.m.–Saturday, June 28, 4 p.m.
Sense summer’s call to transform our relationship with self, others and Earth through our personal food choices, deepening our understanding of all that the season has to offer through the wisdom of environmentalists, mystics, poets and contemporary sages.
The Power of Silence: July Silent Directed Retreat with Ann Jackson, PBVM; Leslie Schwarting; Lucille Winnike, FSPA; & Joann Gehling, FSPA; Sunday, July 6, 5 p.m.–Saturday, July 12, 1 p.m.
Enter into deep silence to sense what it feels like to awaken a quiet and palpable connection with the Source of All Being during a weeklong silent retreat with plenty of time to reflect, meditate, pray and rest.
Navigating Transitions: A Path to Reset & Renew Retreat with Jill Saunders & Leslie Schwarting, Friday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. (Choose the length of retreat that works for you!)
Find a path forward in the midst of change, either big or small, to help you reset and renew as you navigate your transition.
Active Hope for Troubling Times Retreat with Kathleen Rude, Friday, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Aug. 3, 3 p.m.
Find a safe and sacred space to honor your feelings and discover that you are not alone, whether you are troubled by the state of the world or are struggling with personal challenges.
Becoming the Elder Tree: Purpose in the Second Half of Life Retreat with Dr. Thomas Dean & Dr. Chris Johnson, Friday, Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.
Envision a second half of life that calls forth your truest self and unique purpose and consider what it means to be an elder, honoring our special wisdom, vision and wholeness.
Vocal Empowerment: Reclaim Your Voice, Reclaim Your Self Retreat with Mary Jane Knight, Friday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.–Saturday, Aug. 23, –4 p.m.
Reclaim your voice and your self in a heart-led exploration of the unique, incredible human voice and its capacity to express emotions and unleash powerful healing vibrations.
Pathways to Peace: Food as Relationship Autumn Table Retreat with Christina Campbell & Ann Jackson, PBVM, Friday, Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m.–Saturday, Sept. 6, 4 p.m.
Sense autumn’s call to transform our relationship with self, others and Earth through our personal food choices, deepening our understanding of all that the season has to offer through the wisdom of environmentalists, mystics, poets and contemporary sages.
The Path of Transformation: A Weekend of Reflection, Renewal & Connection Retreat with Shawn Westbrook, Friday, Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m.
Step beyond what we know and grow into something greater through yoga, meditation, eco-therapy practices, ritual and self-inquiry.
An Unplugged Weekend Retreat with Leslie Schwarting, Friday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.–Sunday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m.
Escape the noise, step away from all screens and immerse yourself in the present moment for a weekend of real moments and real connection.
Resilience & Renewal: A Retreat for Strengthening the Mind & Spirit with Leslie Schwarting; Rev. Jean Sullivan & Ann Jackson, PBVM; Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 pm.–Sunday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m.
Explore what resilience is and how we can strengthen it by taking a sacred pause—a time to rest, reflect and renew your inner strength.
The Power of Silence: October Silent Directed Retreat with Cindy Dunn; Ann Jackson, PBVM; Leslie Schwarting; & Lucille Winnike, FSPA; Sunday, Oct. 5, 5 p.m.–Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m.
Enter into deep silence to sense what it feels like to awaken a quiet and palpable connection with the Source of All Being during a weeklong silent retreat with plenty of time to reflect, meditate, pray and rest.
Silent Mindfulness Meditation Retreat with Chris Klug, Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
Learn and practice mindfulness, an awareness that knows what is happening in the present moment as it is happening, in the midst of silence.
Celebrating the Light of Advent Retreat with Rev. Jean Sullivan; Leslie Schwarting & Ann Jackson, PBVM; Friday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
Spend a quiet weekend preparing to enter deeply into the anticipation, rest, hope and light of Advent as we gather stories of celebration, forgiveness, reconciliation and birth.
Winter’s Wisdom & Rest Within Thy Soul’s Shelter Retreat with Rev. Dr. Catherine Quehl-Engel, Friday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m.
Slow down, relax, let go, shift awareness and open to the Unknown and mysterious at work within and around us through inter-spiritual wisdom and related experiences.
Pathways to Peace: Food as Relationship Winter Table Retreat with Christina Campbell & Ann Jackson, PBVM, Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sense winter’s call to rest and prepare for a new cycle of life as we transform our relationship with self, others and Earth through our personal food choices.
A Warm & Cozy Holiday Retreat with Rev. Jean Sullivan & Ann Jackson, PBVM; Friday, Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.
Battle the holiday blues with a bit of lightheartedness through quiet reflection and holiday fun, including a cookie bake, fireside storytelling and a luminary walk through the woods.
To ensure we have time to prepare for your stay, overnight registrations for weekend retreats will close at noon on the Monday before the weekend retreat.
If Prairiewoods needs to cancel a retreat for unforeseen circumstances, you may apply the deposit to a future program or retreat or request a refund.
If cancellation occurs within five days of any program, Prairiewoods will retain your deposit. We do understand that life happens (i.e., death of a family member or illness). Please reach out directly in case of an unforeseen circumstance; we will work with you.
Our guests say it best! Here’s one guest’s recent retreat experience: “As a woman in leadership, maintaining work and life feels so daunting some days. This retreat was a much-needed opportunity to rediscover the deeper meaning in my life and work. I’m eager to bring home what I’ve learned this week, using it to lead with even more heart and purpose. I genuinely believe Prairiewoods is a place that fosters women who are striving to balance career passion with personal well-being. I can’t wait for my next visit.”
—Clare Lindahl, CEO of Soil and Water Conservation Society, following a Silent Directed Retreat