Where time moves slow

While ROAV is a camping retreat, it's just as much of an exploration within ourselves. Without the noise of modern life, we listen. Without the agenda of the world, we become present. Without the pressures of other people's needs, we grow.

As soon as we get to the campsite, I ask everyone to turn in their phones so they can truly be present during the retreat. While we can still be contacted in case of emergencies, this radical step is key to creating an inner environment of stillness so you can tune in to your thoughts and your heart.

Released from the pace of modern life the time immediately slows down. Each day has an outdoor adventure or activity planned, but the focus is really on the small things. Being able to enjoy your morning coffee with no rush. Time to journal, walk in the woods, or jump in the creek. Time to live like a kid again and rediscover yourself.

Around the campfire or during the day, I'll present some questions for us to talk about – questions that prompt us to dive deep and discover the movements of the soul we've been ignoring for too long. But this itsn't a lecture retreat. The beauty and simplicity of God's creation does the real work here.

You'll leave refreshed, renewed, and with reignited purpose for your life.

Location

Each retreat location is a bit different. We've camped offroad in the woods and we've rented out entire campgrounds to make sure we have nature to ourselves. Wherever we are, we'll be taking full advantage of our country's natural beauty.

Gear

Aside from your clothes and a journal, all your gear is taken care of. Everyone on the retreat gets their own tote packed with top-of-the-line equipment, including yours own tent, water bottle, sleeping bag, and much more.

Food

If you're not eating well when you're camping, you're not doing it right. From steak to pour-over coffee, I guarantee that we will feast like kings. My role is to facilitate your retreat experience, so I'll take care of all food prep. You're here to enjoy.

I partner with local businesses to source supplies for each retreat, including spring water, steak, and more.

Hiking. Swimming. Walking in the forest. Kayaking. We'll do plenty of outdoor activities during our time in the woods. It's your chance to experience life with fresh eyes again.

But the real adventure is the inner one. What gets revealed to you when you're sitting around the fire or out under the stars. You're guaranteed to hear that still, small voice out here. Whether it's calling you to change your habits or change your life, that's for you to receive.

Everyone leaves the retreat changed, with great memories, deeper friendships and new ones, and the desire to bring a little bit of living slow to to everyday life. Because if you're going too fast to enjoy the small things in life, you're going too fast. One thing a five-day retreat without technology will remind you is that life and this world are a beautiful gift, if you just stop to see it.

FAQ

How should I prepare for a retreat?

You don't need to do much. I'll provide you with a short list of everything you need to bring, but mostly, you'll be bringing yourself. Be ready to be present. Be ready to be open. Be ready to be free from the normal daily pressures and to have a truly unique experience.

Do I need a lot of outdoor experience to join?

Not at all! While we are doing outdoor activities, they only require a general level of fitness and won't be anything extreme. Besides that, I love teaching people how to navigate and enjoy the outdoors, so if it's your first time on a real camping trip, you're in good hands.

What does "all-inclusive" include?

You'll be bringing your clothes and a journal, but aside from that, I take care of everything else! Top-of-the-line gear, plenty of food and fresh water, transportation to the campsite where possible, and all activities are included with the retreat. Once you've set up your tent at camp, you're ready to be present, and I'll be your host for the next few days.

What's on the menu?

What isn't? We won't be running any marathons or sprinting up mountains, but we will spend most of the days outside and active, and you'll need fuel. We'll have three square meals and plenty of snacking food, so you won't be going hungry.

We are happy to accommodate any allergy/dietary restrictions you might have.

Is this a religious retreat?

This isn't a religious retreat. You don't have to be a member of any particular faith to experience the simple joys of God's creation. Around the campfire, I'll be sharing some prompting questions that have helped me and many others dive deeper and grow inwardly, but that's about it. The disconnected experience in nature does the real work. So no, this isn't a religious retreat, but I promise you will have a spiritual experience.

Do I really need to turn in my phone for five days?

Yes! Disconnection is an essential part of the retreat experience. What we lack so much in modern life is stillness and silence; there's always something demanding our attention. It may seem stressful to relinquish your phone, but I promise that the anxiety will fade quickly. You'll be surprised at how much you discover simply by being apart from the world for a few days. You'll come back having a new sense of what's truly important to you. No one who has been on a retreat has ever regretted their disconnected experience.

How do I explain the need to disconnect to the people in my life?

When you first sign up for a retreat, you might get some pushback from the important people in your life. That's ok. We've grown so used to being in constant communication that it's hard to imagine what life and communication were like less than 100 years ago.

Prior to the retreat, I'll give you my contact information for you to pass on to your people, and they will always be able to get in contact with us in case of an emergency.

You'll be coming back a refreshed, renewed version of yourself that I'm sure your loved ones will be happy to see.