Essential Information for Women Attending the Return to zero Hope honoring your loss Retreat

April 30-may 4, 2025
 

Dear beautiful mamas,

We are so glad that you will be joining us for the Return to Zero California Women’s Healing Retreat at Whisper Tree Retreat Center. We are honored to spend this special time with you.

Our hope is that the openness and sacredness of the land supports us as we open up, dig deep, move our grief, and find ways to grow and heal. 

We have put together some important information regarding the retreat. After reading it, if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. 

We very much look forward to meeting and spending time with all of you!  

With love,
Kiley and Betsy

*We suggest printing out this page and reading it thoroughly.

Important Information

Phone/text number:
310-403-3856 (Kiley Hanish)
360-259-3469 (Betsy Winter)

Dates: April 30-May 4, 2025
Arrival Time: Please plan to arrive between 4:30pm - 6:30pm (PST) on Wednesday, April 30th.
Departure Time: Departure will be at 11:00am (PST) on Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

Important Documents

Venue Contact Information
Whisper Tree Retreat Center
12378 Boonville Rd.
Boonville, CA 95415
707.895.2572

Driving Directions - PRINT OUT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

Whisper Tree Retreat is located at 12378 Boonville Road, Boonville, CA 95415. Google Maps and other navigation apps often get confused in the country and cell reception can get lost en route, so we recommend having these directions accessible for the drive. *Note: Apple Maps/I-Phone navigation app will lead you to the wrong place!

Quickest Route: From the Bay Area, take Hwy 101 North to Ukiah, then Route 253 West to Boonville. The Toll House Inn is approximately 11 miles from Ukiah on Route 253 and will be on your right. The drive takes a little over 2 hours from San Francisco but can increase based on traffic density.

Alternative Route: For a differently scenic drive, take Hwy 101 North to Cloverdale. Take 128 West from Cloverdale and travel into Anderson Valley, turning right onto Route 253 just before entering Boonville. The Toll House is located approximately 5 miles up Route 253 from the turnoff at Route 128 and will be on your left. Although this is truly a beautiful drive, the road is quite curvy and takes 10-15 minutes longer. Also, please be aware that cell phone reception is limited on this route once you depart Hwy 101.

Sharing Your Story  

To prepare for our first night, we ask you to write a one-page overview of your loss experience which you will read aloud in our circle (3-5 minutes). You will have plenty of other opportunities to share more of your story throughout our time together.

Why we have you write an overview of your story:

  • Honors your broken heart, your baby/s, and your loss journey

  • Helps you feel heard and your experience validated

  • Minimizes potential for retraumatization

  • Ensures similar sharing times per individual

  • Connects you with a community that truly understands your experience

  • Reminds you that you are not alone on this journey

Honoring Our Losses

*On the first day, we will create a sacred memorial table in which to honor our losses. Please bring any memorabilia that has meaning to you and your story of loss, including pictures, ultrasound images, artwork, candles, blankets, and stuffed animals. 

There are many beautiful ways to remember your baby and affirm your loss experience. If you are struggling with what to bring, consider bringing something that holds personal meaning, like a smooth rock that symbolizes strength, a soft feather that represents the lightness of your baby’s spirit, or a meaningful piece of artwork or quote that expresses your journey. Only bring what you are comfortable sharing and traveling with—you will get to take your mementos home.

Items Recommended to Bring  

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Small flashlight or headlamp to get around at night

  • Toiletries (toothpaste, sunscreen, medications, etc.); shampoo/conditioner and body wash is provided

  • Rain jacket/umbrella

* You will be taking some extra items home with you, so leave a little extra space

Clothing Attire

  • Athleisure wear—we want you to feel comfortable while you are there

  • Weather varies—bring items that you can layer

  • Swimsuit for hot tub

  • Warm socks or indoor shoes (no shoes in indoor areas)

  • Shoes that slip easily on and off and sneakers (if you want to do any hiking)

Gifts for Others
This is completely optional, but in the past some women have brought small gifts to give to the other women. It doesn't have to be something you purchase - it can be a poem, card, something hand-made. Sometimes it represents the local culture or environment where you live. We anticipate having 22 women including facilitators. (We will update this as we get closer to the retreat start date.)

Other Important Reminders

  • Food : All meals are provided by our personal chef.  The menu will be guided by the seasonal vegetables and fruits that are available. Our goal is to create nourishing and comforting meals. We will eat 3 full meals a day and snacks are available, but if you feel the need to bring extra snacks, please do so (there is a refrigerator available). 

  • Alcohol and Drugs: There will be no alcohol or drugs allowed at the retreat. This is a time dedicated to deep emotional work, and use of these substances would be unhelpful in this process. In addition, smoking is not allowed at the retreat center. If you do need to smoke, they request that you do so in the parking lot, away from the main retreat center structures.

  • Possibility of pregnant women: Though the RTZ HOPE Healing Retreat is a retreat for women who have experienced the death of their babies, please understand there is a possibility that some women may be pregnant while at the retreat. We ask that you mentally prepare yourself for this if you feel like it may have an effect on you, and we also ask that these women be treated with non-judgment and compassion. 

Other Questions about Whisper Tree


1. What is the distance between bathhouse and tents? About a 2-5 minute walk, depending on the location of your tent.

  1. 2. Please confirm what the heat, cool, electrical, and wireless sources are for tents. Wifi is provided throughout the property. For cold weather: There are mattress warmers, little bedside heaters, and outlets for charging phones & laptops. For warm weather: All of the tents have fans and screened windows. During the day, if it’s hot outside, the tents will also be hot. Alternatives for nap or chilling space is the yurt, barn, or bunkhouse (which all have AC), and the Toll House stays pretty cool.

  2. 3. Are towels provided in all accommodations? Yes.

  3. 4. Are toiletries provided for all accommodations? Yes, both in the rooms and the Bath House (tents) there is shampoo, body wash & conditioner.

Payment Reminders:

Payment Policy: If you opted to pay only the deposit of $500.00 your final balance is due HERE on or before April 7th, 2025.

  • Cancellation Policy: If you have paid in full and cancel before April 1, 2025 you will receive a refund minus your $500.00 deposit. If you cancel after April 1, 2025, unfortunately, you will not receive a refund.

  • Travel Insurance: We encourage participants to purchase travel insurance in the event they are unable to attend.

Be sure to select the balance that matches your original registration (private platform tent, shared platform tent, private room tollhouse, shared room tollhouse, etc.) Remaining balances can be paid HERE.

If you have any questions or would like to set up a payment plan, please reach out to betsy@rtzhope.org

We look forward to holistically supporting you soon.

In love and loss,
Betsy and Kiley