Our first BC Educator Wellness Retreat took place in Gibsons, BC October 24th-26th, 2025! You can read a recap below.
Please feel free to email us at info@takemeoutside.ca if you have any questions!
Our first ever Educator Wellness Retreat in BC, in partnership with the Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA), took place at lovely YMCA Camp Wenonah in Gibsons, British Columbia October 24-26th. Jack Billy, a Knowledge Keeper from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), opened and closed the Retreat. Aura Lewis from the Cheakamus Centre led beautiful ethnobotany and land as gift sessions, weaving Indigenous Knowledge throughout the whole Retreat. Irene Lo from Irene Yoga Flow led relaxing yin yoga and meditation sessions. Christine and Marianne from Reset Yoga and Massage provided massage therapy for participants throughout the weekend. Camp Elphinstone staff offered canoeing, high ropes, fire-building and archery sessions. Julie (TMO) led mindful birding and a session on educator wellness strategies and intention-setting. Michaela (TMO) led a brave group of folks into the ocean for a polar dip each morning. Nick from EEPSA generously shared his knowledge and offered support. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this Retreat so magical and restorative!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best Professional Development! It was a magical blend of Indigenous learning, time spent in nature, connecting with other educators, and recharging my batteries with personal care (yoga and journaling). Sign me up for the next educator wellness retreat!!
The retreat was one of the highlights of my year. I loved being able to slow down, live in the moment, and truly connect - with others, with nature, and with myself. It was such a beautiful and grounding experience!
Dates: Friday, October 24th to Sunday, October 26th, 2025 (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
Location: YMCA Camp Elphinstone, 1760 YMCA Rd, Gibsons, BC
Spots Available: 40
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
Suggested Packing List: Click here for our suggested packing list of what you might want to bring to the Retreat! If you would like support in acquiring or borrowing any of these items, please email us at info@takemeoutside.ca.
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.
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.
Note: There may be another group of adults on-site at YMCA Camp Elphinstone during this Retreat, gathering for a separate Wellness Retreat. Details will be updated here once confirmed.
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.
Please visit the Session Descriptions section for details about the sessions Aura will be facilitating!
Julie Read (she/her) is Take Me Outside’s Program Manager and an outdoor educator, primary/junior elementary teacher, Forest and Nature School practitioner and enthusiastic naturalist with over 15 years of leadership experience within non-profit organizations. Her relationship to the Land is central to her health and well-being and she continues to deepen her connection to her Celtic roots by spending time in Scotland and learning more about the knowledge of her ancestors, especially through her relationship to the more-than-human world, storytelling and music. Julie loves helping people of all ages connect to nature and has experience leading nature wellness sessions, creating and leading a naturalist club for adults, organizing and leading accessible birding events, and leading Birding with Pride walks and guided bird hikes in Point Pelee, home of the Caldwell First Nation. Julie is deeply passionate about social justice, removing barriers and increasing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in outdoor learning. Julie created the Fanshawe Nature School while working as the Community Education Supervisor for the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and has previously worked as Community Programs Coordinator at the High Park Nature Centre in Toronto and as Program Manager at The Guelph Outdoor School.Please visit the Session Descriptions section for details about the session Julie will be facilitating!
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.
This session will invite educators to assess the current levels of stress they are experiencing in their lives and teaching practices, along with reflect on how they respond to stress and the strategies they already utilize to support their wellness. Educators will then be invited to explore what new wellness practices they might want to try, before setting intentions for integrating nature connection and wellness into their daily life and teaching practice.
Registration is now full but you can join our waitlist here and we will contact you if a spot opens up!
The Retreat registration fee will be $425 (tax included). 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.