This is a Mindfulness in Nature Retreat with meditation practices led by an IMTA certified mindfulness teacher who is also a certified mindful self compassion teacher and registered doctoral level mental health professional.  Some prior mindfulness meditation experience is suggested.*

This overnight retreat is an opportunity for deepening your mindfulness practice with the support of deep connection to nature.  We will be practicing in a quiet, forested private retreat center on the Ottawa River,  Ontario in shared accommodations with vegetarian meals by Galilee Retreat.

Participants will be expected to have the fitness to hike several km at a time with personal gear.

$500 is deposit only, and secures your spot at the retreat. Register early as this is a very small intimate retreat centre and limited spaces are availalble. Students in prior years have been successful in having this retreat approved as one of the prerequisites for admission to UCSD Mindful Self Compassion teacher training programs and UMass and other MBSR or mindfulness teacher training programs.

Refund policy:

Downpayments on the retreat are fully refundable up to 3 months before the retreat. Within 60-90 days prior to the retreat there will be 50% refunds available.  Final payment for retreat room/board/retreat management costs is due 60 days prior to the retreat.  No refunds will be available within 30 days of the retreat.

Activist Scholarships:

If you are engaged in volunteering or activism to protect our natural environment, or in social justice causes related to climate change, call us to discuss and see if there is a scholarship availaBle.

How to Prepare:

Sessions will be conducted both in and out of doors so please dress appropriately, with comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes or boots, clothing appropriate to the weather, hats etc.  Please bring a water bottle to all sessions, and any meditation props that you find to be helpful (cushion, yoga mat, backjack or lightweight chair for sitting practice). Most sessions will include some gentle movement or walking practice so please offer care for yourself around mobility issues.

Conditional Acceptance:

*If your application to retreat is not accepted your initial deposit of will be refunded in full. Participants with no prior meditation experience are encouraged to attend a mindfulness course or a weekly practice group in meditation prior to attending an overnight retreat.

Email notifications on any changes to the schedule or other details on the retreat will only be emailed to registered participants.

Sponsor and Teacher(s):

This retreat is sponsored by Wild Blue Mindfulness.

Mindfulness in Nature practices will be guided by Awake in the Wild facilitator and IMTA certified mindfulness teacher Kimberly Sogge, Ph.D. C.Psych.

Fee Information:

Deposit (deducted from total fee): $500 CAD + HST

Regular Registration (Full payment before June 30, 2020): $1250 CAD + HST

Late Registration (Full Payment after July 25, 2020): $1500 CAD +HST

If students do not wish to pay Eventbrite fees contact Ottawa River Psychology Group at 613-655-3331 and arrange for payment by etransfer to info at ottawariverpsychology dot com.

MBSR/MSC/MBCT Prerequisite Qualification:

This retreat is designed to meet retreat requirements for MSC, MBCT and MBSR teachers.