Women in the Wild

May 1-3 and October 30-November 1, 2026

Mount Madonna Center
445 Summit Rd, Watsonville, CA

Facilitated by Ellen Grossman
COST: $600

Reserve your space for our first weekend (May 1-3) of this special series with a  $ 100 deposit today!

DISCOUNT IF YOU SIGN UP FOR BOTH WEEKENDS:

Cost is $500 per weekend if you sign up for both weekends (May 1-3 and Oct 30-Nov 1). In this case, please make your  $ 200 deposit to secure your space for both weekends.

Easily sign up for our Interest List HERE.

This retreat is for women who are longing for clarity, reconnection, and space to listen inwardly. At the heart of Women in the Wild is what Ellen calls a sacred conversation in nature — a living, two-way dialogue with the web of beings around us. Trees, streams, stones, wind, and soil become companions and mirrors, offering insight through metaphor, sensation, and wild imagination. This is not about hiking far or doing anything “right.” It is about curiosity, listening, and allowing nature to meet you exactly where you are.

Each weekend follows a simple, supportive rhythm. We begin by sitting in Council and from the stories and threads that arise, we each find a question or an intention, which we then take out into a solo wander — not to go far, but to listen closely. Profound moments often arise in stillness or nearby spaces. Participants then return to gather in community, where shared reflections deepen insight and foster connection. Ellen emphasizes that community is always present —in the web of nature during solo time and in the circle of women afterward.

The retreats are intentionally held at the cross-quarter points of the year, moments long associated with transition and wisdom traditions. The May retreat aligns with spring’s fullness and expansion, supporting growth and new beginnings. The October retreat invites inward reflection, integration, and harvest. Many women choose to attend both weekends, experiencing how insights unfold and deepen across seasons.

Why Attend Both Women in the Wild Weekends?

While each Women in the Wild retreat can be attended on its own, many women choose to participate in both the spring and fall weekends. Attending both allows the experience to unfold over time, offering continuity, deepening insight, and a sense of shared journey.

The May retreat aligns with the expansive energy of spring — a time for growth, intention-setting, and emergence. The October retreat corresponds with a more inward season, supporting reflection, integration, and harvest. Together, the two weekends mirror natural cycles of becoming and remembering.

Returning to the same container with the same group of women allows relationships to deepen and insights to mature. Many participants find that what begins as a spark in the spring becomes embodied wisdom by the fall.

 In the spirit of Nature Connection, we encourage you to consider camping or the cabins near the campground.  We will be meeting in a circle there before and after our wilderness wanders. Of course, most of all we want you to be comfortable--so please choose whichever accommodations you prefer.

All meals are vegetarian with vegan and gluten-free options available. The Mount Madonna kitchen staff prepares meals with fresh, high-quality ingredients in carefully prepared menus, incorporating organic and local products whenever possible. They can accommodate most special dietary needs and requests.

Please note that this is not a formal training course, and is not intended as a didactic training on how to apply this information in your work with other people. Retreats are designed to enhance your life, support your personal growth and promote well-being. That being said, engaging in experiential activities and getting more familiar with your own internal system is a wonderful way to learn the IFS model and continue to deepen your proficiency with it professionally.

Any and all deposits and/or payments for the workshop portion of our retreats / courses are non-refundable and non-transferable. Lodging payments are refundable according to the guidelines of each particular retreat center. Please note that there will be no refunds for any reason for the workshop portion, including illness. Thank you for your understanding

DISCOUNT IF YOU SIGN UP FOR BOTH WEEKENDS:
Cost is $500 per weekend if you sign up for both weekends (May 1-3 and Oct 30-Nov 1). In this case, please make your $200 deposit to secure your space for both weekends.