Forest Camp: Trusting Life & Finding Joy

Yachats, Oregon — Temenos Forest Sanctuary

A Joyful Weekend of Forest Exploration, Beach Wanders, and Celebrating the Summer Solstice.

June 20-22, 2025

As adults, life can often feel so serious or overwhelming. The idea of playfulness or childlike wonder can seem inaccessible or “not for me”. The big and small challenges of life come and we meet them, perhaps with grace but often with discomfort, an unwise response or wishing it would all just go away. We can strive to make things a certain way, including ourselves, with varying degrees of success. In a world that can feel scary and turbulent, we often lack the trust to be with what is, to truly appreciate this precious life. Learning to trust life offers the gift of truly participating in this wild and wonderful human experience.

This weekend is an opportunity to pause and be playful and curious amidst it all. It is a sacred space to cultivate trust in ourselves and in life. We are not trying to run away from or push away any of the discomfort of life but to explore how we can hold it all while remaining connected to restorative states. To explore happiness is to explore what it means to be human, even in times of personal and collective distress. It takes courage to remember our joy and the support of practices to help expand it.

During our time together you will be guided to nurture your sense of awe, wonder, and curiosity to support access to joy and delight. The forest offers the perfect space to invite this all in and let your body, heart, and mind simply “be,” soaking in the goodness that is available. There will be a variety of facilitated nature connection practices along with guided walks in the forest that invite you into your senses, visits to ancient trees, tea in the forest, mossy nooks to rest in, walks to watch the sunset, fires to gaze into, solo time on the land, and conversation to tap into our collective wisdom.

Allow yourself to be nourished by joy and delight through deep time in the forest, delicious food, sunsets, ceremony, and connection with the land, community, and wisdom of the trees. You will have free time to explore the property, roam the trails, and bask in the stillness and abundance of this sacred space. The forest, creeks, and nearby ocean provide space to reconnect to the beauty, joy, and abundance that is always available.

We believe in the need for restorative time (amidst racial injustice, climate crisis, and the suffering of our world) to show up with strength and stability for individual and collective well being.

“May my heart be deep enough and wide enough to be with the joys and sorrow
of this life and not break.”

No experience necessary; just an open heart and willingness to connect with the sacred relationships of our deepest selves, Mother Earth, and beloved community.

This intimate gathering is open to 10 participants and we will be the only group on site.

*All those that identify with their feminine are welcome.

Facilitator:
Irene Bailey

Learn more about your facilitator

START
June 20: Arrive & settle, 1-3PM
END
June 22: Depart, 2 PM

INCLUDED
•All meals (dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 3)
•Forest location to camp
•A variety of facilitated nature connection activities
•Solstice ceremony
•Individual support (as needed)
•Sacred land to explore and wander
•Opportunities for deep connection to self, community, & the natural world

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
We will be camping at Temenos Forest Sanctuary, a private, beautiful, and sacred 5-acre forested property 2 miles north of Yachats. It is truly a spectacular place to camp and call home for a few days. The ocean is a 15 minute walk, mostly through the forest, and there are various creeks to enjoy on and around the property. This space offers itself for deep nourishment and calm. You will likely go home having the land and its inhabitants wedged deeply into your heart.

We will be the only group on site and set up our tents among the trees and share time together in our outdoor kitchen and around the fire pit. We will be using an outhouse during our time on the property. Access to shower available.

* Option to stay nearby in hotel/ Airbnb at additional cost. This must be arranged individually but reach out for suggestions.

FOOD
Delicious, nourishing, from-scratch, mostly vegetarian fare, using as much local produce as possible, and as many organic, humane, ethically-produced ingredients as practical. We can accommodate a certain level of special dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan.

YOU PROVIDE
•Transportation to / from Temenos Forest Sanctuary
•Tent, sleeping bag & pad
•Yoga mat or pad for laying in forest
•Water bottle
•Sunglasses & hat
•Journal & pen
•Headlight or flashlight
•Warm & comfortable layers for being outdoors
•Sturdy shoes for walking on uneven terrain

A detailed clothing list will be provided closer to the retreat start date.

Inclusivity:

We ask that our participants be committed to the ongoing learning and awareness of how white supremacy negatively impacts all life, especially black and brown people. In an effort to support an inclusive space, we know this work, this dismantling of systemic oppression, is essential to sharing healing spaces and to supporting the collective liberation for all beings.