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The Mindfulness Retreat for Public Educators will be held June 18-20, 2019 at beautiful Indigo Nature Retreat in Old Fort, NC. This secular retreat is designed for participants to explore mindfulness practice, build community, and cultivate an atmosphere that facilitates personal renewal and reconnection. The retreat is intended for public school educators, administrators, school counselors, school psychologists, and college professors who prepare teachers. The retreat will be facilitated by Kara Foster-Lee and Todd Scholl.
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Book
All retreat participants will receive a copy of The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom, the latest title from Dr. Patricia Jennings. In her new book, Dr. Jennings―an internationally recognized leader in the field of social and emotional learning―shares research and experiential knowledge about the practices that support students' healing, build their resilience, and foster compassion in the classroom. In Part I, Jennings describes the effects of trauma on body and mind, and how to recognize them in students' behavior. In Part II, she introduces the trauma-sensitive practices she has implemented in her work with schools. And in Part III, she connects the dots between mindfulness, compassion, and resilience. Each chapter contains easy-to-use, practical activities to hone the skills needed to create a compassionate learning environment.
Tentative Agenda
Tuesday, June 18
- 3:00 - 5:00 pm - Check-in, unpack, socialize, set your intention for the retreat
- 5:00 - 6:30 pm - Dinner (Participants will bring and prepare their own meals. Two kitchens are available.)
- 6:30 - 8:00 pm - Welcome, orientation, introduction to mindfulness in education, and short mindfulness practice.
- 8:00 - 10:00 pm - Socialize, conversations, quiet time on your own
- 10:00 pm - Quiet hours begin
Wednesday, June 19
- 7:30 - 9:00 am - Prepare and eat your own breakfast
- 9:00 - 10:00 am - Intention Setting, Guided Breathing Practice, Debrief
- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Shinrin Yoku or "Forest Bathing" - Led by Lisa Garcia (Weather permitting)
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Prepare and eat your own lunch
- 1:00 - 2:00 pm - Why Do We Teach? Reconnecting to our Purpose
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Personal Time (Walk, meditate, journal, rest, read, socialize, or hold quiet conversations)
- 4:00 - 5:00 pm - Restorative Yoga (Bring your own mats. Limited mats available for $10 fee.)
- 5:00 - 7:00 pm - Prepare and eat your own dinner
- 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Fire Circle, Sharing, Daily Debrief
- 8:00 - 10:00 pm - Socialize, conversations, quiet time on your own
- 10:00pm - Quiet hours begin
Thursday, June 20
- 7:30 - 9:00 am - Prepare and eat your own breakfast
- 9:00 - 10:00 am - Walking Practice (Outdoors, weather permitting)
- 10:00 - 11:00 am - Sharing Session / How do we take this practice back to our schools? / Closing
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Pack up, clean up, departure
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Accommodations
Located in the heart of Pisgah National Forest with the Blue Ridge Mountains as its canvas, Indigo Nature Retreat is set on five acres near Old Fort, NC, with over 1,000 acres of undisturbed natural forest in its backyard. Indigo Nature retreat provides the perfect setting to get away and unwind. Dense foliage, rolling currents, and diverse trails make it a peaceful home away from home.
We will be the only people on the premises during our retreat. Each retreat participant will stay in one of the five cabins. Click here for details and photos. Each cabin features two twin beds, one of which is a loft twin, the other being a wrap around sofa that converts into a twin. Each cabin has two sitting areas, a mini fridge, coffee maker, heat and A/C, and fire pit. The cabins are tucked into the beautiful Pisgah Forest with Newberry Creek flowing on the property. If you are looking for a space to truly disconnect, and re-connect with all that matters, this is your place. We will place retreat participants with a cabin mate of the same sex unless you and a fellow participant request otherwise. Please note there is no running water or bathroom facilities in the units, however, the community barn with two full bathrooms is less then 100 ft. away.
All retreat participants will have access to the main lodge and community barn. Both of these
buildings feature two full bathrooms, community kitchen, and dining area. That means four full bathrooms for ten participants and the facilitators, which should be plenty.
You may extend your stay before or after the retreat, if cabins are available, for a courtesy rate of $100 per night. Guests should contact INDIGO Nature Retreat directly for availability and reservations at mommabear@indigoretreat.com. Asheville is only 30 miles away and has wonderful restaurants, breweries, and entertainment options. If you have the time, we encourage you to explore the area before and/or after the retreat.
We will be the only people on the premises during our retreat. Each retreat participant will stay in one of the five cabins. Click here for details and photos. Each cabin features two twin beds, one of which is a loft twin, the other being a wrap around sofa that converts into a twin. Each cabin has two sitting areas, a mini fridge, coffee maker, heat and A/C, and fire pit. The cabins are tucked into the beautiful Pisgah Forest with Newberry Creek flowing on the property. If you are looking for a space to truly disconnect, and re-connect with all that matters, this is your place. We will place retreat participants with a cabin mate of the same sex unless you and a fellow participant request otherwise. Please note there is no running water or bathroom facilities in the units, however, the community barn with two full bathrooms is less then 100 ft. away.
All retreat participants will have access to the main lodge and community barn. Both of these
buildings feature two full bathrooms, community kitchen, and dining area. That means four full bathrooms for ten participants and the facilitators, which should be plenty.
You may extend your stay before or after the retreat, if cabins are available, for a courtesy rate of $100 per night. Guests should contact INDIGO Nature Retreat directly for availability and reservations at mommabear@indigoretreat.com. Asheville is only 30 miles away and has wonderful restaurants, breweries, and entertainment options. If you have the time, we encourage you to explore the area before and/or after the retreat.
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Meals
To keep costs at a minimum, we ask all retreat participants to bring their own food and drinks. You will need to bring enough food and drinks for two dinners, two breakfasts, and one lunch. If you are a coffee drinker, please bring your coffee, creamer, sweeteners, etc.
The retreat center has two kitchens. Both have fridges, microwaves, stoves/ovens, dishwashers, cookware, and utensils. Kitchen equipment, including pots, pans, bowls, service ware, and glasses are provided. There is also an outdoor BBQ grill on site for your use. We highly recommend bringing meals that are healthy and easy to prepare. We also recommend that you label your containers and food before arrival. There is an Ingles Grocery Store in Black Mountain about 15 miles from the retreat center.
The retreat center has two kitchens. Both have fridges, microwaves, stoves/ovens, dishwashers, cookware, and utensils. Kitchen equipment, including pots, pans, bowls, service ware, and glasses are provided. There is also an outdoor BBQ grill on site for your use. We highly recommend bringing meals that are healthy and easy to prepare. We also recommend that you label your containers and food before arrival. There is an Ingles Grocery Store in Black Mountain about 15 miles from the retreat center.
Retreat Expectations
- Limited use of personal cell phones/technology in order to foster mindful awareness
- Secular teaching and practices to honor people of all faith backgrounds
- Content geared towards public school educators
- You may opt out of any activity
- A collegial, casual atmosphere - Wear comfortable clothes, no prior experience necessary, relax
- This is a retreat, not professional development or a workshop
- As much as we love animals, no pets are allowed at the retreat center
- There will be a maximum of ten retreat participants
- If you are currently struggling with physical and/or mental health issues, this retreat would not be appropriate for you.
What to Bring
- Food for your meals / Coffee / Drinks / Light Snacks
- Water Bottle
- Comfortable clothes including clothes and shoes for walking, yoga, and sitting outdoors. Please preview the weather forecast for Old Fort, NC and bring appropriate clothes for both day and night. Keep it simple and casual.
- Folding camp chair
- Light blanket
- Pillow (Pillows are provided, but sometimes it's nice to have your own.)
- Flashlight
- Umbrella
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries (Including shampoo, soap, etc.) / Meds
- Yoga mat (If you don't have one, we recommend purchasing one. We will have rental mats available for $10.)
- Meditation cushion (We will provide a cushion for those that do not have one.)
- Journal and pen
- Towel (I look forward to cooling off in the creek.)
- Phone and charger - WiFi will be available, but we strongly encourage you to limit cellphone use during the retreat. We do encourage you to take photos though.
Registration
All registration fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, we can try to transfer your registration to someone on the waiting list, but cannot guarantee we will be able to do so. The retreat will take place rain or shine.
If you have specific questions about the retreat, contact Todd Scholl at 843.999.6550 or toddscholl@gmail.com.
If you have specific questions about the retreat, contact Todd Scholl at 843.999.6550 or toddscholl@gmail.com.
Retreat Principles
Candles and Incense
Use of open flames, candles, incense, and other flammables is not permitted inside any of the facilities. Participants will be held liable for any costs and damages caused by fire.
No smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the facility and outdoors within twenty (20) feet of the facility, as well as at any other designated No Smoking areas. This includes all Vapor cigarettes and products.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are to be observed from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am daily.
Vehicles
Cars may be brought to the facility for loading and unloading then are to be parked at the designated parking lot. Mountain bikes are welcome.
Food and Garbage
The retreat center is located next to Pisgah National Forest. To keep both our guests and the wildlife safe it is important that all food be stored inside the facility.
Use of open flames, candles, incense, and other flammables is not permitted inside any of the facilities. Participants will be held liable for any costs and damages caused by fire.
No smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the facility and outdoors within twenty (20) feet of the facility, as well as at any other designated No Smoking areas. This includes all Vapor cigarettes and products.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are to be observed from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am daily.
Vehicles
Cars may be brought to the facility for loading and unloading then are to be parked at the designated parking lot. Mountain bikes are welcome.
Food and Garbage
The retreat center is located next to Pisgah National Forest. To keep both our guests and the wildlife safe it is important that all food be stored inside the facility.
Map to Indigo Retreat Center
