Dates: Friday, October 16th to Sunday, October 18th, 2026 (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
Location: YMCA Camp Elphinstone, 1760 YMCA Rd, Gibsons, BC
Spots Available: 40
Registration Rate: $495
Open to: All educators
Location details: YMCA Camp Elphinstone is nestled on 144 acres of oceanfront property and temperate rainforest on the stunning Sunshine Coast in Gibsons, BC. Just a 40-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver and a short 2 km drive from the Langdale Ferry Terminal, the camp offers easy access while feeling worlds away. Guests are encouraged to walk onto the ferry; once on the Sunshine Coast, Camp Elphinstone is just a short taxi ride away via Sunshine Coast Taxi or Coastal Rides.
Land Acknowledgement: We are very thankful to be gathering on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíxw (Squamish Nation). This land has been stewarded by the Squamish people since time immemorial and continues to hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. We offer our deepest gratitude for their ongoing care for this land and for the opportunity to seek rest, renewal, and connection here
Accommodation details: Accommodations will be shared with up to 4 people per room in YMCA Camp Elphinstone’s cozy lodge accommodations. Each lodge features 8 bedrooms with bunk beds and lockers (locks not provided), a common seating area with a fireplace, and 4 private all gender washrooms with showers. Lodges are heated and have electricity. Guests are asked to bring their own sleeping bag/bedding and towel.
Washroom and Facilities: Each lodge includes private all gender washrooms with showers. Additional common areas across the site also offer washroom facilities.
Food: All meals are provided on site and served in the camp’s Dining Hall, which overlooks Howe Sound. Meals are served family-style or buffet-style, and include:
Note: YMCA Camp Elphinstone is able to accommodate most dietary needs and restrictions with advance notice. However, last-minute requests or personal preferences may not be guaranteed.
The camp is a nut-free environment, and outside food or products containing nuts are strictly prohibited. To prevent attracting wildlife, no food may be brought into or stored in accommodations.
Kindly note, alcohol is prohibited on site and YMCA Camp Elphinstone is a non-smoking facility.
Accessibility: YMCA Elphinstone is committed to making its programs and spaces inclusive and accessible.
– Each lodge includes 2 fully accessible washrooms and showers
– Program adaptations and accessible equipment are available upon request
– If any guests use mobility devices or require additional accommodations, they are encouraged to reach out in advance so the team can ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience
Getting there: Camp Elphinstone is accessible via BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay. Participants may choose to drive on or walk on to the ferry; pre-booking is strongly encouraged for those planning to bring a car across.
Please note: Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the retreat venue.
Heat Room: All guest luggage and belongings must pass through a heat room before moving into accommodations. Detailed instructions regarding this process will be provided prior to the guests’ arrival. All bags must be “Heat Room ready” upon arrival.
Suggested Packing List: A suggested packing list will be provided to you prior to the retreat!
What to Expect: This document will be emailed to everyone who registers and will cover all the details for the Retreat, including directions, community guidelines, wifi access, cell service, etc.
Partners: We’re very thankful to be partnering with our friends at the Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) for this Retreat!
Are we missing anything? Please feel free to email us at info@takemeoutside.ca if you have any questions or requests for support!
Aura Lewis is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia and an Indigenous woman with roots in the Anishinaabe, Cree, Norwegian, and European peoples. She is honoured to guide others in connecting with the land and its teachings.
"I feel deeply connected to our plant relatives and the gifts they offer. My passion lies in guiding others to see plants through an Indigenous lens—understanding their many uses and honoring them with respect and gratitude in ways passed down through generations. It’s not just about the plants—it’s about reconnecting to the land and recognizing the peoples who have long cared for these spaces. This is one of my greatest joys."
Aura’s teachings emphasize the sophisticated food systems of the First Peoples of North America prior to colonial impact. She also shares knowledge on the ecological economics of traditional gift-giving societies, currently working with university-aged learners through partnerships with Ocean Wise and their Ocean Bridge Ambassadors.
In her role at the Cheakamus Centre, Aura weaves Indigenous knowledge into cultural and artistic programming, offering immersive experiences for both students and educators. Her offerings are rooted in deep respect, aiming to foster connection between people, plants, and place.
Mara Branscombe is a yoga and meditation teacher, author, artist, ceremonialist, and spiritual coach, who finds great joy in leading others along the path of self-transformation. Teaching for over twenty years, she runs international retreats, corporate leadership programs, and online spiritual guidance programs. She is the author of Ritual as Remedy, (Findhorn Press, 2022) and Sage, Huntress, Lover, Queen, (Findhorn Press, 2023) Mara lives with her husband and two daughters in Vancouver, Canada.
Learn more about Mara here: https://marabranscombe.com
The Sample Schedule below shows an example of what the Retreat schedule could look like. The exact Retreat schedule is currently being confirmed and will be shared with participants before the Retreat.
Session descriptions coming soon.
Registration will open Wednesday, June 17th at 8am PT. At that time, a button to register will appear here.
The registration rate for this retreat is $495. This registration fee includes accommodations, all meals, and all facilitated sessions.
We are committed to supporting educators from underserved or underrepresented communities to attend our retreats. If you face financial barriers and/or identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person Of Colour, have lived experience with a disability, are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community or a member of another marginalized group, please feel free to reach out to info@takemeoutside.ca for the potential of a subsidized registration or to request other types of support to attend this Retreat.
Cancellation Policy: Please notify us as soon as possible at info@takemeoutside.ca if you need to cancel your registration. Cancellations made at least 30 days before the date of the Retreat are fully refundable. In the case that Take Me Outside had to cancel an Educator Wellness Retreat, every effort would be made to notify participants at least 30 days before the event and all registration fees would be fully refunded.
