This weekend, we are hosting a private retreat for an outside organization. If you are interested in hosting a private retreat for your group, please contact us at: hello@forestofpeace.org

Live life with more peace, love, and joy!

This retreat will offer a variety of ways to live with more presence which leads to more peace, love and joy. Presence is the core of all spiritual teaching, and transitioning into Presence and away from the clutter and attachment of the
mind and ego may be the most important task of our lives. Presence helps bring clarity in place of mental noise—a vital shift for this turbulent, chaotic world.

Practice

A number of practices will be taught to connect with that inner stillness and the development of spiritual consciousness where fear and anxiety disappear. We will be listening for that “still, small voice” that our culture with its noise and distractions and speed often mitigate against. This weekend retreat will provide a safe container for connecting to your deepest and truest self which is love. That love can lead to your finding meaning and purpose in your own life and ways to be of service to others.

“The ego needs success to thrive; the soul only needs meaning” Richard Rohr

The retreat will provide sessions which include journaling, art, music, dance, time in nature, as well as alone time to rest, reflect and experience Being.

This retreat is facilitated by
Ms. Linda Alegria who has provided counseling and
retreats for over 45 years. She currently
maintains a life coaching and spiritual direction practice

Come to the Forest to Witness the Emergence of Spring…

In rhythm with the emergence of Spring, we will gather with the guidance and healing properties of nature and the animal kingdom at the Forest and awaken from the quiet beauty and sacred stillness of Winter. The Spring Equinox invites us to return to balance with clarity of purpose and resilient intention.

Through reflection, mindfulness, meditation, and the gentle awakening of our energy bodies through movement, we will emerge from the protection of our cocoons, connect with our inner wisdom, and plant new seeds of becoming the light we want to most be and see in the world.

During this retreat you will:

• Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the forest, allowing the sights and sounds of nature to foster peace and rejuvenation.

• Cultivate presence and awareness through guided mindfulness practices, helping you to center and ground yourself – especially important during our rapidly changing world!

• Participate in meditation sessions that will help you connect more deeply with your inner self and reconnect with your personal power and purpose.

• Engage in gentle dancing and movement to awaken and align your energy centers, while fostering resilience and vitality.

• Take time to reflect on your experiences and insights through guided journaling activities.

• Nurture your mind, body, and soul in a safe, supportive circle of fellow ‘travelers’ on our shared expansive journey of renewal and transformation.

• Participate in ceremonies that honor the Spring Equinox and the universal and personal renewal it brings.

Abbreviated Schedule

Spring Equinox REFRESH and RESET Retreat

 Friday March 21, 2025

3:00-5:00 p.m. Check-in

4:30 p.m. Meditation in Chapel (optional)

5:30 p.m. Dinner

6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Evening Group Session- Bede

 Saturday March 22, 2025

7:30- 8:00 a.m. Rise and Shine Gentle Moving Meditation (Carol)

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast in silence

9:15- 11:45 a.m. Morning Group Session- Bede

12:00 p.m. Meditation in Chapel (optional)

12:30 Lunch

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Free Time– Individual Mentoring ($35/$65) with Carol available, nature walks, naps, reflection, ? Zen garden cleansing, re-seeding 

4:00 – 5:15 p.m. Group Session

5:30 p.m. Dinner

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Fireside Circle/Group Session /Art

Sunday March 23, 2025

8:00-9:00 a.m.             Breakfast in silence

9:15-10:45 a.m. Morning Group Session

11:00 a.m. Brunch

12:00- 1:30 p.m. Group Session/Closing Circle

Facilitator: Carol LaRue

Carol LaRue is a licensed occupational therapist, international speaker and trainer, integrative wellness coach and author of the book, The Art of Self-Health, Creating Total Well-Being from the Inside Out.  She is founder of LifeCentrics LLC, delivering consultation, training, and coaching for resilient living though mindfulness.  She brings her vast expertise in holistic health and wellness to all her retreats at Osage Forest of Peace, while creating and holding a safe space for individuals to mindfully grow and expand in their unique way.

Carol has navigated through several personal losses and health challenges over the years and “walks her talk” by creating balance, joy and meaning in her own life, and brings an honest sense of grounding and “real life practicality” into all her teaching and coaching. Her passion is in guiding both individuals and organizations in creating resilience to the stresses of life while increasing energy, effectiveness, enjoyment, and ease!

Spend time knitting together by the fireplace with a group of Forest friends, learn new techniques, share favorite patterns, yarns, and tools of the craft! We’ll have time for discussions of how knitting can enhance our spiritual lives, as well as opportunities to connect with each other and the beauty of the Forest of Peace in wintertime. 

Pricing

You can choose to stay overnight in a cabin or to commute to the retreat every day from your home.

Single occupancy: $230

Includes:

• Private cabin.

• All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch.

• The program fee for the retreat.

Double occupancy: $400 total for both people ($200 per person)

Includes:

• A shared cabin for you and a roommate. Both people are registered under the same registration and paid in one lump sum. If you are the registrant, an email will be automatically emailed to the other person to complete their personal info.

• All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch.

• The program fee for the retreat.

Commuter: $120

If you choose to commute, we kindly ask that you commit yourself to the weekend and the schedule of the retreat to avoid disruptions to the group.

Includes:

• All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch.

• The program fee for the retreat.

Register by

Registration closes end-of-day on January 7, 2025.

Schedule

(Subject to change)

Friday

1:30-5:30 Arrival, check in, settle into cabins if staying overnight. 

4:30 p.m. Afternoon meditation (optional)

5:30 p.m. Dinner

7:00-8:00 p.m. Session 1: Share your WIP(s) and your knitting journey

9:00 p.m. Silent hours begin

Saturday

7:00 Community meditation (optional).

7:00-9:00 Self-serve silent breakfast.

9:30 a.m. Session 2–Knitting and the spiritual Life, part one

10:45 a.m. Break/tea, coffee and cookies, peruse the swap table. 

12:00 p.m. Noon Meditation (optional)

12:30 p.m. Lunch (with free time until 2:30 p.m.)

2:30 p.m. Session 3: Building our skills 

4:30 p.m. Afternoon Meditation (optional)

5:30 p.m. Dinner

6:30 p.m. Social Gathering—Knit and Natter

9:00 p.m. Silent hours begin

Sunday

7:00 Community meditation (optional).

7:00-9:00 Self-serve silent breakfast.

9:30 a.m. Session 4: Knitting and the spiritual life, part two

11:00 a.m. Brunch

Noon closing appreciation and heading home

Cancelation policy

If the reservation is canceled within the 7 days before the scheduled retreat date and time, a credit towards a future stay is provided. A credit is valid for one year from date of issue.

If the reservation is canceled up until the 7th day before the scheduled retreat date and time, a refund will be issued, minus any credit card transaction fees and donations. Refunds will be made to the original credit card on file or by check within two weeks of the notice of cancelation.

An exception may be made in the case of illness, death in the family, or inclement weather, in which case  a credit towards a future stay is provided. A credit is valid for one year from date of issue.

Any donations added to a registration can’t be refunded.

Personal Overnight Retreat Weekend

Please select the number of occupants in the cabin when making your cabin selection. For group rates and availability on more than two cabins, please email us.

During a personal retreat, you structure your own time and select for yourself how best to be present to the Sacred. You can take time to be alone and read, journal, sit in silence, walk in the woods, be creative, or whatever calls to you. On personal retreat, you are free to join our community in our daily sitting meditation times (Thursday through Saturday at 7:00am, noon and 4:30pm, and Sunday at 9:00am) or to spend your time in solitude. Each night you book with us comes with three meals: a light dinner (the night you arrive), self-serve silent breakfast, and lunch.

Spiritual Direction/Companion Sessions

You may wish to add a private session with one of our spiritual directors or companions. These trained individuals provide spiritual guidance and companionship to those seeking to deepen their spiritual life. The cost for a one-hour session is on a sliding scale from $40 to $80. You can add this on when you register.

Reiki Session
You may also want to add on a Reiki session with our local Reiki practitioner, Mona Rupe. You can add this on when you register.

General Policies

• No visitors under 18 years old

• No pets (service animals with certificate are OK)

• No alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs

• No weapons of any kind

• No open fires

Cancelation policy

If the reservation is canceled within the 7 days before the scheduled retreat date and time, a credit towards a future stay is provided. A credit is valid for one year from date of issue.

If the reservation is canceled up until the 7th day before the scheduled retreat date and time, a refund will be issued, minus any credit card transaction fees and donations. Refunds will be made to the original credit card on file or by check within two weeks of the notice of cancelation.

Join us for a Week of Summer Camp at the Forest!

Re-live the days of going to camp for a week, spending time in the woods with friends singing songs, making s'mores, telling stories, hiking, and doing arts and crafts.

Or, get the chance to experience as an adult something that you may not have had the chance to do as a kid!

All while sleeping comfortably in our air-conditioned cabins (no bunk houses!), eating our delicious food, and experiencing the quiet and contemplative atmosphere of the Forest of Peace.

What You'll Get to Do:

• Enjoy the company of your fellow "campers" and our staff of "camp counselors"!

• Meditation sessions three times a day.

• Help out in the kitchen with "KP Duty"

• Be part of a small group where you can discuss what's on your heart and mind.

• Making s'mores, telling stories, and singing songs around the campfire.

• Arts and crafts (think more like making prayer beads and mandalas than popsicle stick and macaroni art).

• A time to get away from the busy-ness of the world and spend a beautiful week at your favorite place!

Schedule

The week will begin with check-in, meditation, and dinner on Monday, June 2nd. After dinner, we'll have a campwide opening ceremony, followed by some time to get to know the members of your small group for the week.

Tuesday-Thursday:
7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Meditation
9 a.m. Morning Activities (Arts and Crafts, Labyrinth Walk, Nature Walk, Music and Sound, etc.)
10:30  Morning Free Time
Noon  Meditation
12:30 p.m.  Lunch
1:30 p.m.    Rest Hour (lie still on your bunk, take a nap, write a letter home!)
2:30 p.m.   Afternoon Free Time
3:30 p.m.   Small Group Time
4:30 p.m.   Afternoon Meditation
5:30 p.m.   Dinner
6:30 p.m.   Evening Activities (making s'mores, singing songs, telling camp stories, visiting the camp store, etc.)
9:00 p.m.   Lights Out! (Quiet Hours begin)

Friday:
7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Meditation
9 a.m. Final Small Group Time
10 a.m.  Closing Circle--say goodbye and "see you next year" to all your camp friends!

Enjoy the Peace and Quiet of the Forest and Engage in Some Fun and Interaction in a Weeklong Journey as a Community!