Reverence for Nature

This week awakens the embodied dimension of the divine that is within each of us so that we might be strong again to serve the interrelationship of all things within us, between us, and among us in creation (John Philip Newell, 2021)

Program Offerings for This Week:

Moving Our Sacred Ground

Program Leader: Jennifer Herzog and Valerie Campbell
Ages: 18+
Time: Monday-Friday, 9:15 am – 12:15 pm
Program fee: $55

This program is suited for anyone with a genuine calling to self-reflection and personal growth, through somatic movement and embodiment practices. The program introduces two movement approaches: The Feldenkrais Method and the Discipline of Authentic Movement. Personal and group explorations create the container for considering larger themes of how we relate to our lives, each other, and the planet.

This program offers an opportunity to inhabit one’s embodied ‘sacred ground’ with the aim to restore and deepen connection to Source, the land, and our personal and collective communities. Both practices support a connection to the world of sensation and access to our inner landscape, thereby opening access to creativity, imagination, and physical ease. Enjoy dedicated time to unravel tension from daily life, and to enter the landscape of embodiment- where ease, spontaneity, and awareness can be found. No prior movement experience is required.

Creative Journaling: The Wonders of Nature

Program Leader: Kathie MacDuff
Ages: 18+
Time: Monday-Friday, 9:30 am – 11:45 am
Program fee: $55 + $20 material fee

When we allow ourselves to experience nature fully, we are enlightened, restored and invigorated. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost contact with this easily accessed source of healing, beauty and mystery. Join us in a written and visual exploration of our relationship to the wonders of nature…rain or shine!

Children at Play

Children’s Program Leader: Camp Spirit + Summer Staff
Ages: 5-11
Time: 9:15 am – 12:00 pm
Program fee: $55 (Full bursary funding is available to ensure all children & youth can participate in programming. Apply the Heartwood Bursary option upon checkout)

Our children’s program welcomes and celebrates children for exactly who they are. Program leaders nurture children’s spirits through creative and imaginative play, storytelling, songs, games, and more. Enroll your children to be together in community learning how to sow the seeds of lasting friendships.

Youth Connection

Youth Program Leader: Camp Spirit + Summer Staff
Ages: 12-17
Time: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Program fee: $55 (Full bursary funding is available to ensure all children & youth can participate in programming. Apply the Heartwood Bursary option upon checkout)

Build new friendships through Youth Connection during a week of outdoor activities, creative games, new discoveries and just hanging together. This is your week, so leave any negative pressures behind, bring your ideas and come have fun in an inclusive community that values all that you are.

Learning on the Land

Program Leader: Anona Kampe
Ages: 8+
Time: Tuesday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Program fee: $45

Studies have shown that when you engage your senses, you retain more knowledge. Join Okanagan Nation member, Anona sknir’mn (Buttercup), on a walk outside where you will learn indigenous perspectives about local plants, animals, and landforms. Anona will also share what is harvested where and when and what it is used for and may bring samples of the local harvest.

This program is held off-site in an area referred to as the Naramata Falls. A vehicle is required and carpooling is recommended.

Forest Bathing 

Program Leader: Joanne Scofield
Ages: 18+
Time: Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Program fee: $45

A Forest Bathing walk is a guided, slow walk in nature. It is a gentle practice of connecting to your senses and opening to nature’s healing properties. There are no goals to be attained and it is not a hike or an exercise activity, rather it is a time for deep nature connection. Through the deepening of one’s sensory intake of nature’s healing properties, a participant may come away with feeling relaxed and renewed. As we go on this journey together, Joanne will be your guide, but the forest will be the therapy. The location will be held off-site. Place TBD

Community Life Includes:

Interactive Connections

Spiritual Leader: Tim Scorer
Musician in Residence: Jim and Jean Strathdee
Campground Host: Gord Oaks, Liz Wood and John Pritchard 

The week begins with interactive fun activities for all to connect with others in our Sunday evening Welcome Circle. Wake up Monday morning and take a Meditative Walk in the Labyrinth, or set yourself up in a quiet space in the Sacred Garden, or join a morning yoga class. Get singing and dancing to daily morning music then set off on your day either in a program or exploring the area. If you feel a need to get some creative energy out, drop in for some afternoon art. In the evening, connect with the earth by digging, planting, and harvesting with volunteers of the Permaculture Farm Garden. Gather with the community by keeping a lookout for spontaneous activities throughout the week. 

Traditional Storytelling with Anona Kampe – Tuesday from 1:00-2:00 pm

Join Anona as she takes you on an entertaining and interactive journey by sharing traditional Okanagan stories called captikwł (chap-teek). The Okanagan people spread knowledge through an oral history spanning thousands of years. She will introduce you to the characters, explaining why they are significant and share traditional teachings within the story. Participants can expect an engaging session.

Community Yoga

Yoga Leader: Jennifer Kanazawa
Gentle Morning yoga Daily from 7:30-8:15 am – Morning Yoga is perfect for anyone looking to begin their day connecting breath and movement in a mindful way to help soften tight muscles, ease joint pain, connect the body and mind at a peaceful, slower pace.  This class is appropriate for beginners or anyone working with injury, limited mobility, or simply prefer a gentler approach to yoga. Practice every day or drop-in. Registration required.

Evening Unwind yoga Tuesday 7:00-8:30 pm – Prepare to let go, reflect, and settle your body and mind for a restful evening and a new day ahead in this 90-minute evening unwind yoga session.  Stretch out your body and release tension from the day, calm your mind, relax your breathing, boost your mood, and melt into the beauty of a Naramata summer’s eve. Registration required.

Community Art

Beaded Spiders with Anona Kampe – Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 pm

Cultural presenter, Anona sknir’mn – Buttercup from the Penticton Indian Band, will share the story of “Why Spider has Long Legs”. After this traditional story, participants will make a beaded spider with the materials provided. It is important to fix our minds and think good thoughts whenever we are making things with our hands. That good energy will go into our work. These beaded spiders make beautiful gifts and/or can be used as a hanging ornament in your home, office, or car. Each spider will look unique. Registration required.

Drop-in Afternoon Art with Sam Welsh – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 3:00-5:00 pm

Join Sam for a variety of easy art activities throughout the week. These are created for everyone to participate, all levels of experience welcome (especially for you if you just said “oh, I’m not an artist”). Each activity welcomes you to come by and make something unique, creative, and fun. These have been planned specifically as drop-in activities, come by anytime during the times noted (stay for ten minutes or the whole time) and you can complete an activity. No registration is required.

Community Permaculture Farm Garden

Farm Leaders: Tomas Oyarzun Montes and Catalina Polloni
Farm Tour – Monday from 7:00-8:00 pm

Permaculture (the word, coined by Bill Mollison, is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture and permanent culture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Join the farm tour on Monday evening and/or drop in to find fellow community gardeners to learn and grow with. Registration is required for the farm tour, no registration is required to drop-in. You can learn more about the garden by visiting the Naramata Permaculture Farm Garden Facebook page here.