Essential Information for Attending the Retreat
Dear beautiful people,
We are so glad that you will be joining us for the Return to Zero Finding Yourself After Loss Women’s Retreat at Whispertree Retreat Center (formerly Bell Valley). We are honored to spend this special time with you.
This compassionate gathering provides a nurturing space to reflect, heal, and connect with others who share similar experiences. Our hope is that the openness and sacredness of the land support you as you rediscover the strength within and reclaim your path forward from a place of self-compassion and love.
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,
Betsy and Kiley
*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: October 24-27, 2024
Arrival: 10am - 12pm on Thursday, October 24
Departure: 11:00 am on Sunday, October 27
Important Documents
Venue Contact Information
Whispertree Retreat Center (formerly Bell Valley)
12378 Boonville Rd.
Boonville, CA 95415
707.895.2572
Driving Directions - PRINT OUT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
Whispertree 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
To prepare for our first night, we ask you to reflect on the following question and to come prepared with a one-page response that you will share with the group.
What do you want the world to know about your story of love and loss?
Honoring Who You Were
Please bring a printed picture of yourself before any experience of loss occurred, this can include a picture in pregnancy or any time beforehand. If you would like assistance with printing, you can email a png or jpeg version of your picture to kiley@rtzhope.org. Please email by October 16th.
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
*hair dryers, robes, toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash, bedding, towels, umbrellas provided.
Clothing Attire
Athleisure wear—we want you to feel comfortable while you are there and yoga and Nia holistic movement practices will be offered in am and evening.
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 23 women + 2 facilitators. (We will update this as we get closer to the retreat start date.)
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 plus snacks, coffee, tea, toast are always available, but if you feel the need to bring extra snacks, please do so (there are multiple refrigerators available throughout grounds).
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 Finding Yourself After Loss Retreat is a retreat for women who have experienced the pregnancy and infant loss, 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
What is the distance between bathhouse and tents? About a 2-5 minute walk, depending on the location of your tent.
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.
Are towels provided in all accommodations? Yes and robes are also provided.
Are toiletries provided for all accommodations? Yes, both in the rooms and the Bath House (tents) there is shampoo, body wash & conditioner.
What is Nia? Nia is a holistic movement & wellness practice addressing each aspect of your life - body, mind, and soul. Nia’s purpose is to inspire and guide people to listen to the wisdom of the body, choose movement that feels good, and find connection in community. Nia welcomes everybody, whatever your age, body shape, fitness level, or ability.
Why is Nia helpful? Much of what we experience in relation to loss, grieving, trauma recovery, and self-healing occurs in parts of the brain body that do not understand verbal language. Therefor learning to speak the language of the body, driven by its’ sensations, emotions, imagination, and movements, becomes a critical piece of the healing journey. Participating in a Nia class will not only give you access to the language of your body, but it will help you connect with yourself more deeply.
What can I expect in a Nia class? Betsy brings levity and love to the movement experience. You will be guided through simple movements that are timed with inspirational music. Throughout the class, you’ll be invited to pay attention to sensations, move in certain ways, and make sounds, while noticing what feels supportive.
What if I have never done yoga, nia or any other movement practice? It’s natural to feel nervous or un-coordinated when you start something new. Betsy will provide guidance that is supportive and inspiring, without any push. After the first song or two, most women begin to let down their guard and move more freely-finding moments of joy, laughter, and healthy emotional release.