Fall Invitational: Creativity and Resilience

Restoration, Rejuvenation & Peer Connection:
Exploring Resilience through Creativity and Play

(voluntary contribution-based pricing, pay at any amount)

Thursday November 21 – Saturday November 23 (lunch to lunch)
*we ask that everyone plan to attend the entire retreat

Please register by November 13 11:59PM Pacific

A retreat designed for connection, relaxation, and interactive discussions.

Join us this November for our Fall Invitational as we gather at Big Bear Retreat Center to connect with our local SOCAL community, embody rejuvenation through rest and wellbeing activities, and practice resiliency and creativity. This invitational is offered to guests free of charge with the option to offer a contribution to the center at registration.

What to expect? 

Fall’s theme will be focused on light-hearted connection, embodied practices, play, creativity, and reflection. We hope this time is spacious, healing, and supportive as we wind down in the fall season. Similar to past invitationals, we’ll host a variety of programming focused on connection, your restoration and respite, and facilitated workshops + discussions.  We will be serving healthy, delicious meals to nourish your body as the retreat nourishes your soul.

Who is invited? 

We’ll host leaders and team members in community based organizations and the philanthropic sectors.  Folks working in CBOs (community-based organizations) and in philanthropy in the SoCal region. For this retreat we are prioritizing invites to those that have not yet attended our gatherings at Big Bear Retreat Center. Invites will open up to return guests in early November. If you have attended before, we encourage you to let us know if you would like to recommend someone. 

Who else could we invite?

 We’d love your suggestions and recommendations on who to invite to this invitational and expand our reach. Please send a list of anyone you would recommend to programs@bigbearretreatcenter.org. 

Schedule:

(click here to see the full schedule)

Thursday, November 21st: 10am – 12pm Check-ins and Arrivals
*we ask everyone arrive by lunchtime, beforehand is preferred*
*lunch will be followed by a brief welcome walk, and an orientation session*

Saturday, November 23rd: 1pm Retreat Close and Lunch

“A truly inspirational gathering of people! There was so much intentionality and kindness. I feel truly grateful and rejuvenated. Thank you for opening this transformational experience up.”  – Winter Invitational 2024 Participant

Your Stay with us Includes:

• A private bedroom in a shared retreat cabin (up to 3-4 rooms), with wifi, a kitchen, living room, central heat, and a private deck in nature
• Three healthy freshly prepared meals
• Daily center guided wellness, mindfulness and dialogue activities
• Access to center amenities and natural environment and trails

“Coming to the BBRC retreat was one of the best things I could’ve done for myself. Everything from the space, grounds, exceptional staff, incredible food and activities. Made the experience special. This has definitely left an imprint and I am looking forward to coming back soon.”        -Arnali, Late Summer Invitational Aug 2023

Activities and what to expect:

• Workshops centered around creativity, arts and self-connection
• Additional activities hosted and organized by the center including morning meditations, hikes in nature,  and mindful movement.

“I can think of no better way to spend a week than to take in the breathtaking beauty of BBRC. This is the place to learn how to truly appreciate life. Everyone I have encountered there has been nothing but kind and helpful.” – Retreat Guest, May 2023

Accommodations:

The Center consists of several single-story buildings and cabins for dining, meditation and sleeping. Our residence cabins are large furnished and comfortable with 3-4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, living rooms, a full kitchen and decks outside in nature for shared use.

The Meeting Hall:

This beautiful multi-purpose space accommodates most workshop, meditation and movement retreats. We have meditation and movement supplies for most participants, but guests are always welcome to bring their own supplies (not required). Guests can typically expect to have access to a zabutan (large cushion), zafu (small cushion), yoga mat, blocks, a meditation chair, a blanket and a selection of other yoga and meditation props with limited supplies.

Meals:

The Center provides fresh, healthy meals made with seasonal and organic ingredients to support a nourishing time in retreat. Meals begin with dinner on arrival evening through to breakfast on departure morning.  We can accommodate most major dietary restrictions. Snacks will be available in the dining hall 24/7, including teas and coffees. The Center has refrigerators in the cabins and dining area for guests to store their own snacks – please bring any foods that might support your time here.

Planning your trip: If you are booking a flight for your trip our recommendation is to search for flights to the Ontario Airport (ONT) whenever possible. If your travel plans require you to land at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) we highly recommend arriving at least one day prior to your arrival at BBRC for retreat. Registration opens on Arrival day from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Most retreats close by noon or later on departure day so please allow yourself adequate time for travel to the airport.

Please visit our Getting to Big Bear page on our website for more detailed travel recommendations.

Ride-share: Ride-sharing / Carpooling is highly encouraged, and is one of the most convenient ways to travel to Big Bear Retreat Center. For this retreat we have set up a self-organized ride-share page that you can visit at anytime before, we will send email reminders closer to the retreat.  Visit the ride-share page

Covid Policies: We require everyone to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken on the day of arrival, preferably before travel. If you are unable to test before you travel, we will provide a rapid test on arrival.

For any questions please contact guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org or visit our website bigbearretreatcenter.org

Cancellation Policy: For this retreat, we ask that you do not cancel if you have booked. However, we understanding that unforeseen circumstances may arise. If that is the case, please notify us as soon as possible.

We look forward to hosting you soon!