Wild Re-Enchantment Retreat
Camping Retreat in Bull Valley, IL in McHenry County
(indoor sleeping arrangements are also available)
Adjacent to Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve
The Retreat is available from Friday, May 15 at 4:00 pm to Sunday, May 17 at 11:00 am, with the option to only come on Saturday, May 16 from 9 am to 8 pm
How do we find our way into flow again with the collective grief and growing disenchantment with the ways of the world permeate this moment on Earth? Where can we go to remain or come alive again in such a world? This weekend retreat is for all who feel disenchanted with the brokenness of the world and long to regain wholeness in self and community. We will gather in nature to embrace our disenchantment and open to re-enchantment through the wonder, beauty, and mystery of the Earth. Join us by the riverside to study the art of flow and remember, even the softest stream can carve canyons. We will enter into rituals of grief, liberation, emergence, and initiation to create more wholeness in ourselves and our communities.
We will be spending as much time outside together as possible at this wild retreat. Please be prepared for the elements. We will be utilizing mindfulness, creative, and somatic practices to help us honor our grief for the world, find our way back to a sense of wonder and wholeness, and be empowered to serve our community in the challenging times ahead.
We will have time alone on the land to explore and connect with the wild mystery as well as time together in council to share our stories by the firelight.
Our meals will be shared and prepared together. A sign-up list will go out to participants to sign up for a contribution to a meal.
There is a $25 deposit to save your spot. We ask for a suggested sliding scale donation of $100-200 for camping or $150-250 for indoor accommodations to go toward the care and stewardship of the land. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. Contact us if you need assistance.
A link for payment will be sent out to confirm your attendance after interest filling out the form below.
See photo album for Summer 2024 Wild Re-enchantment Retreat
About Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve
Located within the Boone Creek watershed, the 56.5-acre Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve is home to several natural communities that were once widespread, including three types of wetlands. The fen, sedge meadow and wet prairie are saturated by mineral-rich groundwater that is filtered and enriched as passes through gravel in the surrounding hills. This provides habitat for unique plant species like fen betony and Grass of Parnassus. The woodland and savanna are home to numerous ancient oak and hickory trees as well as unique species like the pileated woodpecker and Southern flying squirrel.
The site got its name from the silver-bordered fritillary butterflies (Boloria selene) and also contains a healthy population of the uncommon Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly. Thanks to the diversity of plant life, more than 35 types of butterflies and moths, 25 species of dragonflies, and 50 bird species are found at Boloria Meadows.
Schedule
Friday, May 15 (optional)
4:00 pm-6:00 pm - arrival and set up camp
6:00 pm - dinner
7:00 pm - soul collage and deep listening
10:00 pm - dream invocation
Saturday, May 16
8:00 am - 7 directions prayer and QiGong
8:30 am - breakfast
9:00 am - opening ceremony - day wanderers gather
11:00 am - wander at Boloria Meadows
Lunch on your own - pack a lunch or return to base camp
Time for art, journaling, meditation, relaxing, being idle
Dinner
Council and story sharing
8:00 pm - closing. Day wanderers leave, campers enjoy stories by the campfire.
Sunday, May 17 (optional)
Breakfast, mindfulness walk, packing up, closing
Please note that camping requires your own equipment. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask. We have extra supplies available.
