Our Programs

About Charlson Meadows Programming

Nature has much to teach us if we are only willing to observe, linger, and listen. Our programs are designed to connect our guests with nature in each glorious season. Following nature’s lead, we focus on different elements of self care throughout the year.

We offer two main types of programs: day events and weekend retreats.

*Due to the limited spaces for our weekend events, we kindly ask that you only register for one per year.  You are welcome to check back the week before the event to see if there is space available.  Thank you for helping us welcome more guests.

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Day for the Heart

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Writers Retreat

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View new cottage

Fill Your Cup

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Silence

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Self Guided
Reflective Walks

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Forest Bathing
and Life Journey

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If we want a wholehearted life, we have to be intentional about cultivating sleep, and play and letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth."

-Brene Brown

Day for the Heart

Above all guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverb

Your heart is an inner sanctuary—a place of comfort and safety. In some cultures, this private restorative place is called ‘The Cave of the Heart.’ People visit their heart caves to deeply rest and reconnect with their spirits.  After most people and families had a year of cultural and personal challenges, please invest in self-care. It will help you and those you care about. Take time to cultivate your inner sanctuary so your outer life reflects peace with self, peace with others, and peace with nature. Our activities include:

  • Gentle movement 
  • Time in nature
  • Art techniques
  • Self-directed time
  • Exploratory conversations

Please bring lunch and a beverage.  We do have a refrigerator for your use and a kitchenette with coffee and tea available. Dress comfortably.

If you want to bring something small with you to offer or symbolize the Cave of Your Heart, please bring it with you.

 A Charlson Meadows Certificate of Study is also available upon request.

Facilitated by Sharon Franquemont in October;

Nicole Rasmussen in November and December

 

I leave with precious memories of woods, nature and the awareness of God’s presence everywhere" 

-Previous guest

Upcoming Events

Day for the Heart

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $30

Register Now

Day for the Heart

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $30

Register Now

Writers Retreat

Our Writers Retreat offers time away for your personal writing project in the company of other writers.

This weekend is designed with wide-open space to make time for moving a project forward. Optional writing activities and time to share our work over dinner conversation add to the experience. This always proves to be a wonderful weekend for creativity, productivity, and connection.

Guests will spread throughout the Nancy Nelson Lake House for their writing and spend time enjoying the inspiration of nature.

Upcoming Events

Writers Retreat

December 10-12, 2021
Friday 4 pm-Sunday 12 pm

$150

Sold Out - Join the Waitlist below

Register Now

Writers Retreat

February 25th-27th, 2021
Friday 4 pm-Sunday 12 pm

$150

Register Now

Fill Your Cup

Self Care for Women

We invite you to come experience rest, reflection, recreation, and encouragement as you connect with your heart in a beautiful setting.  We provide space for you to come away to fill your cup and introduce practice research-driven tools you can use to nurture your heart all year long.

Facilitated  by Nicole Rasmussen

If we want a wholehearted life, we have to be intentional about cultivating sleep, and play and letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth."

                                                        -Brene` Brown

Upcoming Events

Fill Your Cup, Self-care for Women

March 25th-27th, 2022

Friday 4 pm-Sunday 12 pm

$150

Registration opening Winter 2021

Silence

How beautiful it is to do nothing and rest afterwards."

-Spanish Proverb

Nourish your brain, boost your vitality.

In the depth of silence, we hear the irresistible call of Life. Unknown

Silence sets us free.  Emotional upsets, to do lists, and worries melt under its calming gaze.  We remember who we are. We give up choosing productivity over ease, or judging ourselves daily by how much we have or have not accomplished.  Unplug from your daily habits and plug into silence—a silence that fosters the art of non-doing.  Silence and non-doing skills can nourish you for the remainder of your life. Activities are optional; commitments to silence are invited.

  • Explore different types of silence and their gifts.
  • Discover why silence nourishes your brain.
  • Cultivate non-doing skills. 
  • Boost your vitality.

Day Programs:

Please bring lunch and a beverage.  We do have a refrigerator for your use and a kitchenette with coffee and tea available. Dress comfortably.

Facilitated  by Nicole Rasmussen

“Today walking the labyrinth slowed my head down. I want to take time to be SILENT in such a way that I don’t have to schedule it—it becomes part of my life.” Guest

I am going home with skills, e.g. slowing down, observing, enjoying flowers, and knowing flowers have something to tell you. Guest

 

Upcoming Events

Day of Silence

Wednesday, January 19, 2021

Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $30

Register Now

Silence

January 28th - 30th, 2022

Friday 4 pm-Sunday 12 pm

$150

Register Now

Forest Bathing and Life Journey

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown for going out, I found, was really going in."

-John Muir

Nature heals. Nature restores. Time in nature automatically enhances contentment, balance, and aliveness. It effortlessly reduces stress, depression, or anxiety. You are restored. Together we will:

  • Relax surrounded by nature’s ease and vitality.
  • Explore nature and Forest Therapy to slow time down in order to open life up.
  • Discover your unique Life Journey.
  • Learn techniques that will serve you throughout your lifetime.

Today physicians can prescribe nature walks to combat depression and/or anxiety. Join us. Please take the nature activities and the things you learn home with you to share with your family and friends. It’s fun!

Days: Please bring lunch and a beverage.  We do have a refrigerator for your use and a kitchenette with coffee and tea available. Dress comfortably.

Facilitated by Sharon Franquemont

Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide

I am going home with skills, e.g. slowing down, observing, enjoying flowers, and knowing flowers have something to tell you. Guest

“I’m so grateful to be with loons, trees, clear waters, and stunningly beautiful people and conversations. This has opened a window into the next phase of work in the world.”                                            -Previous guest

Upcoming Events

Forest Bathing and Life Journey

Coming again in Summer 2022

 

Self Guided Reflected Walks

The gates to Charlson Meadows are opening for private time on the land.  Explore solo or bring a friend for a walk on the trails through the woods.

Meet at the chalet to collect a map with guided reflection questions and optional activities and finish up with beverages around the fire.

Dress for the outdoors.

Guided tours of the Lake House are available upon request.

Several bikes and golf carts are available. As the weather changes, we will add snow shoes and kick sleds the fun!

 

Allow nature's peace to flow into as sunshine flows into trees.

-John Muir

Upcoming Events

Reflective Walk in the Woods

Free

Each two-hour time slot is limited to 10 guests to offer space for more private reflection.

Select preferred date and time:

Monday, November 1, 2021

9:00 am

Register Now

Monday, November 1, 2021

11:30 am

Register Now

Monday, November 1, 2021

3:30 pm

Register Now

Thursday, December 16, 2021

9:00 am

Register Now

Thursday, December 16, 2021

11:30 am

Register Now

Thursday, December 16, 2021

3:30 pm

Register Now

Applied Intuition

Most people are living on the periphery of their lives. Intuition invites you into the center. Willis Harman

Welcome. This retreat is for everyone. It provides intuition skills for healing challenging issues and enhancing your experience of intimacy. Are you simply curious about intuition? Or, do you have a keen interest in improving your intuition? This Applied Intuition retreat will help you with both. Take the intuitive plunge. Begin discovering your best methods for intuitive development regardless of how experienced you are.

We will address skills that help you:

  • Strengthen your intuitive ‘muscle.’
  • Reduce anxiety when making a decision.
  • Discern when it is wise to act on intuition and when it is not.
  • Stay balanced when powerful intuitions occur.
  • Deepen your openness to yourself and others.
  • Work on repairing your relationships.

Please bring in books, poems, stories, music or other things that impacted you or helped you in your life journey.

Day Programs:

Please bring lunch and a beverage.  We do have a refrigerator for your use and a kitchenette with coffee and tea available. Dress comfortably.

Facilitated by Sharon Franquemont

Honor your heart’s To Do List and access the wisdom of your body. Guest

Upcoming Events

Applied Intuition

Coming again summer 2022

Bee Blitz

Join us as we document the variety of bees at Charlson Meadows.  We will be using the iNaturalist app found in your preferred app store. (Consider experimenting with it before you arrive.) During each session, we will walk through the land capturing pictures and details to send to a national registry for bees to be used for research.

This informal event lead by Renee, our Resident Caretaker.

Upcoming Events

Check back summer of 2022 for more special events.