Photo courtesy of IslandWood

On March 18-20 we’ll gather for a Women’s Retreat at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island! We’re quick to calendar things for work, family, and friends, but rarely for just ourselves. This weekend is an opportunity to carve out some time for you. Our programming for the weekend will focus on unwinding, reflecting, and spending time in nature. Sessions will be facilitated by Sara Moorehead, who retired from BECU in 2019 as SVP of Cooperative Affairs and serves on IslandWood’s Board of Directors. You’ll have an opportunity to get to know other women while taking the time and space you need to rest.

IslandWood is an environmental education nonprofit that offers a variety of immersive programs to help children, educators, and community members deepen their understanding of the world around them, explore important environmental issues, and see the power they have to make a positive impact on their communities and the planet. Our retreat will be at their 250-acre campus on Bainbridge Island! The campus features six different natural ecosystems, miles of trails, and a garden classroom. We’ll stay on property in guest lodges which feature guestrooms with private bathrooms and organic cotton linens.

IslandWood menus showcase local, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients, including some items fresh from their garden. Featured activities include miles of hiking, trail running, garden tours, canopy tower climbing, and yoga – all available on property!

 

Friday, March 18

Afternoon arrival and check-in
IslandWood Mission & Programs Tour
Dinner & introductions
Informal evening hangout

Saturday, March 19

Yoga
Breakfast

Morning session: The last few years have been disruptive and tumultuous. Most people have experienced loss in different forms. But it's also been a period of discovery and learning. During this session we'll spend time reflecting on these changes. The objective is to take a step back and reflect, rather than judge/evaluate/plan.

Lunch
Trail time

Afternoon session: Over the last couple years most people have shifted how they spend time and now spend much more time alone / with partners / family members / neighbors / pets. In this session we'll continue with the day's theme and reflect on who is in our support system and how we are supported by them.

Dinner
Campfire Circle
Informal evening hangout

Sunday, March 20

Breakfast
Morning session: Intention setting, wrap up, and goodbyes

Our retreat will end by 11:00am

Team

We look forward to welcoming you to IslandWood! The three of us will work together to plan and host our weekend. Sara will facilitate our Saturday and Sunday sessions. You can expect to hear from Morgan about the weekend’s logistics. And for anything and everything in between - reach out to Janice!

 

Janice javier

Janice is a Finance Manager at Amazon where she supports Amazon’s digital reading subscription programs, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading. Prior to Amazon Janice worked at Year Up, a national nonprofit that trains opportunity youth in technology skills and connects them to corporate internships and jobs. Janice held several roles at Year Up across fundraising, program outcomes measurement, and events.

Outside of work Janice serves on the FareStart Board of Directors. Janice has served as Finance Committee Chair for two years and sits on the Governance and Executive Committees.

Sara moorehead

Sara retired from her career in marketing and communications in 2019, which included deep experience in financial services marketing, change management, communications strategy, and M&I in the Pacific Northwest. She spent nearly 5 years in London as Barclays’ Director of Corporate Affairs both for the UK and Global Retail and Commercial Banking divisions. And her career culminated as BECU’s SVP, Cooperative Affairs. She is now applying her experience as a mediator and facilitator to her new interest as an end-of-life doula. In this role she supports people in preparing for a peaceful death.

She has been a writer and speaker on varying topics including intentional leadership and engaging communications. Among her other interests are hiking, travel, literature, and questionable art.

Sara lives in Seattle and in the hills of Central Washington with her husband, Jeffrey, and their border collie, Gus.

Morgan winkler

Morgan is an Account Manager with Suddath Workplace Solutions supporting all employee and furniture relocation services for Microsoft. Before entering the moving industry, Morgan worked at multiple nonprofits with a primary focus on nonprofits supporting people transitioning out of homelessness. One of her previous employers was FareStart, where she had the wonderful opportunity to work with Janice!

Morgan also serves as Board Treasurer for a small nonprofit called Farms for Life, that purchases surplus produce from local farms and gives it to nonprofit organizations who have people in need of healthy food. When she isn’t working or volunteering, Morgan enjoys hanging out with her husband as they foster dogs for the Great Pyrenees Rescue Society. 

 

FAQ

What is your cancellation policy?

I have to lock in my guest count on Feb 24. So if you cancel by Feb 24 I will refund the full amount paid less $100. If you cancel after Feb 24 and I can replace you I will refund the full amount paid less $100. Please note that there’s no guarantee I will be able to replace you on short notice but I will try!

What’s required in terms of COVID vaccines and negative tests?

Please refer to Islandwood policies here but note that my requirements are more strict. 

Vaccines: Guests will be required to submit photos of their vaccination cards three weeks before the event. I’ll defer to CDC’s definition of “fully vaccinated” but proof of full vaccination will be required.

Negative COVID tests: Guests will be required to show proof of negative tests. I will provide specific requirements (PCR/rapid) one month before (Feb 18).

What happens if we have to cancel and/or reschedule due to COVID?

I will reschedule with Islandwood and carry forward all deposits / payments. If you have a conflict with the rescheduled date or need to cancel for another reason I will refund you everything except $100.

I’m not sure yet if I want to book a single or double, what are my options?

Please make a deposit and we will figure it out! The $500 deposit will hold your spot. $100 of that deposit is nonrefundable.  

Can I refer someone who I think would be interested?

Yes, but I’m going to start with referrals for guests who want to be in a double. If you have a roommate in mind please share the info with them!

I’m interested in paying installments, what are my options?

I’m happy to figure this out with you! Please email me to let me know and if you could propose a schedule and let me know what you’re thinking as a starting point, that would be helpful.

I’m nursing and/or pumping, what are my options?

Please shoot me an email to let me know what you need and/or how I can make you comfortable! I think you should have adequate privacy and space since guests will have their own rooms but let’s discuss.

How much time will we be spending in groups vs. solo?

The agenda will have options for group and solo time and you can choose your own adventure. Meals and yoga will be for the entire group but you’ll be able to choose how you want to spend other time across hikes, breaks, and unstructured evening time.

Are there any options that lower the cost?

There are two ways to lower the cost: book a double accommodation and use Zelle to pay instead of booking on the website to avoid a transaction fee. The resulting cost is $1,450 for a double or $1,700 for a single. If you want to take this option please let me know and I’ll send instructions.

We can also have up to four people in one room. I’m only offering rooms of 3 and 4 for groups that already know each other. If interested, let me know!

Are you planning any other dates for another retreat?

I’m aware that this date overlaps with the Festival of Holi and, depending on school schedules, spring break. I’m sorry if it doesn’t work for you! I don’t have other dates planned for 2022 but I hope to do more retreats in the future.

The retreat includes:

  • 2 nights of accommodations

  • All meals (Friday dinner, all meals Saturday, and Sunday breakfast, and snacks!)

  • Drinks (beer and wine) at dinner

  • 3 facilitated sessions (1 Saturday AM, 1 Saturday afternoon, 1 Sunday AM) and ample unstructured time to enjoy the property and nature. Full agenda will be added soon!

  • Optional evening gatherings

  • 1 Yoga class

  • Facilitated Islandwood tour

  • Docent-guided trail time

Pricing

$1,750 all-inclusive for a single accommodation

$1,500 for a double accommodation (yes, I can take preferences for roommates and help match people that have registered).

If you know you want to come but aren’t sure yet if you want a single/double, please make a $500 deposit and we’ll follow-up to figure out the roommate situation before you decide.

Please note the following are not included:

  • transportation to Islandwood (ferry)

  • costs of covid testing