Sign Up NOW for the 2018 Retreat Programme

The Retreat Program is one of The Chewstick Foundation’s best programs. Three times a year, we offer a safe, family-friendly atmosphere – full of fun games, community building, art, creativity and a much-needed break from the drudgery of daily life. The Retreat program is now in its eighth year and every year we focus is on building community, developing skills and offering opportunities for growth and enrichment to all that participate.

Not only are the Retreats an inspiring and enlightening initiative, but their consistent delivery has kept the spirit of Chewstick alive over the past year. It encourages people from diverse backgrounds to foster meaningful connections and an appreciation for the beauty of our island. The 2018 Retreat program dates are the Ports Island Spring Retreat March 9-11, Paget Island Summer Retreat June 29-July 1 and the Darrell’s Fall Retreat October 19-21. While the core focus of all three is to provide the chance to learn, connect, unwind, and get inspired while appreciating the epic beauty of Bermuda, each retreat is different.

Sign Up

Signup deadline for the Fall Retreat is October 16!
Early Bird Prices available until October 2.

Activities will include drawing, poetry, creative writing, music, workshops, and yoga in the gorgeous setting of our island home, while meeting a bunch of really awesome new people.

Dates and island locations for 2018 are as follows:

Retreat Location Dates
Spring Retreat Port’s Island Friday, March 9 – Sunday, March 11, 2018
Summer Retreat Paget Island Friday June 29 – Sunday July 1, 2018
Fall Retreat Darrell’s Island Friday Oct 19 – Sunday Oct 21, 2018

If you are a person who likes to tell stories, dance, play dominoes, swim, paint or just want the chance to appreciate life with others, the retreat is for you! If you simply need a moment of pause from the daily demands of work and home life, take the chance to unwind and maybe learn something as well. In addition to participant-led break out sessions, there is free time to reflect and to get inspired by the beautiful surroundings, activities such as hair braiding, Bocce (Chewstick’s official game), fishing (provide own equipment) and the Retreat Fireside, where participants are encouraged to share a new skill, story, poem, song or anecdote and everyone gets to participate in the always fun, sing along vibe.

Price Breakdown is as follows (signup deadline is October 16 for Fall 2018):

Category EARLY BIRD Price (before October 2) Late Signup Price (after Oct 2)
General $250 $275
Member $175 $200
Youth (ages 12-17) $125 $150
Parent and Child $300 $325
Additional Child (under 12) $50 $50

Includes boat to and from the island, indoor accommodations, 6 meals, snacks, art supplies, workshops, and materials for the Retreat fireside.

Participants can opt to bring a tent, or stay in shared dorm-style accommodation (bunks are limited).

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Learning from each other on the Retreat

Break Out Sessions

Break-out Sessions are 1.5 to 2 hour workshops that offer insight into a variety of fields that all help participants to deepen personally and collectively. They are led by passionate people that want to share their fields of expertise and personal experience in a safe and organic environment. All attendees are invited (though not required) to submit a Break-out Session option for consideration, and everyone who attends is expected to bring a passion for learning and sharing. There are 3 Break-Out Sessions scheduled for each Retreat, with up to 9 options to choose from.

We don’t know who will attend well in advance, so it is difficult to let you know what each Retreat will offer specifically, but if you’d like to lead a session include a brief description in the sign up form, we will let you know as soon as possible if yours has been accepted (there’s an incredible discount for facilitators).

A peek into what’s in store

Under 18
We are proud to be able to offer the opportunity for young people ages 5-17 to be able to attend and participate. The youngest will be taken care of by a child care provider away from the different workshops, while those willing and able to participate in deepening activities will be allowed to. Those under 18 will be required to get parental consent as well as an over 18 chaperone. If a chaperone cannot be identified we would be willing to ask other mature attendees if one would be able to be a personal chaperone for you. Please inquire well in advance if you will be bringing a child or if you need a chaperone.

In keeping with the community building ethos of the Retreat even if you can’t make it over the island there is the opportunity to support. In wanting to make the experience accessible to as many people as possible, past participants and friends have the opportunity to pay it forward by sponsoring an individual or subsidizing a few people that wish to come but cannot afford the $250 all-inclusive price. If you or anyone/organization you know can help sponsor an individual, it would be greatly appreciated and totally change a life. Please help if you can.

A very special THANK YOU to Butterfield and Vallis for supporting our meals throughout the weekend and for the support of PRS for Music.

Space is limited for this special event and we are inviting participants to take part in a journey along with roughly 50 participants for this tremendous, life-changing personal adventure. Friday evening boat departure and Sunday afternoon boat return information will be confirmed by email. Sign-ups can be made by phone on 292-2439 or by filling out the form. Cash or Credit Cards accepted; please make cheques payable to The Chewstick Foundation.

Even MORE information about the Retreat is available here! 

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