Regenerate - a community care retreat for helping professionals - is a time of
respite for those who help and heal.
2025 Regenerate Retreat
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Shotgun Creek Recreation Site
Marcola, Oregon
Group & tiered pricing are available
Educators, non-profit staff, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, personal support workers, and others, Regenerate is your place to reconnect with the wider community of helpers, learn from each other, integrate our experiences, and rediscover the calling that drew you to this work.
The retreat features a morning plenary, workshops, lunch, and dinner prepared by our beloved Regenerate chef, Eli Munroe. You'll have time to enjoy the site's natural beauty and connect with your peers. However, rest, rejuvenation, and comfort are centered in the full-day experience.
Workshops
Morning Plenary
Building Communities of Resistance
River Aaland
In times of turbulence and upheaval, the communities that survive and instigate change are those rooted in relationship, belonging, and solidarity. Drawing on the work of thought leaders like bell hooks, we can commit to building loving and durable communities based on collective care.
Resilience & Communication for Helping Professionals
Brittany Banna
This warm and empowering workshop is designed for those in helping roles who often carry the emotional weight of others. Participants will learn practical, science-backed strategies to regulate their nervous system, manage stress in real time, and communicate clearly—even in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations. Through guided breathwork, movement, storytelling, and real-life scenarios, attendees will walk away with a personalized resilience plan and simple, actionable tools to stay grounded, confident, and connected in both their professional and personal lives.
Collaging for Our Hearts and Minds
Marika Banyakski
The act of creating art encourages us to focus on the present moment, which can calm the nervous system and create a quiet and meditative state of mind as we immerse ourselves in the creative process.
Using the relaxing art of collage, you will create a small window looking into a nurturing, beautiful place filled with images that make you feel connected and good. Some themes we’ll explore are community connection, the healing power of nature, and what makes us feel grounded.
Qigong for Renewal: The Art of Replenishment
Nate Guadagni
This Qigong session is an invitation to replenish yourself—to breathe deeply, move with intention, and rediscover the wellspring of energy within.
Through grounding footwork, flowing movements, and tranquil stillness, we’ll release tension, restore balance, and cultivate lasting resilience. Qigong is more than just relaxing—it also sparks your vitality so you can continue your best work with compassion, clarity and presence.
No experience necessary—come as you are, ready to receive and renew.
Additional workshops, activities and details coming soon.
What Past Attendees Say
“I have quite a few roles in life. Two of the most rewarding ones are "teacher" and "mentor". Through the pandemic and ensuing years, I've learned (and re-learned, again and again) that I need to take care of myself in order to do either of these two jobs - very simply, when I'm tired and isolated, then the people who depend upon me suffer for it. The 2023 Regenerate retreat marked one of those realizations - it was a perfectly-pitched weekend for folks in the helping professions, broadly construed, who want to bring their best to their lives and work. It really helped me understand the importance of rest, and of community, for the people-facing aspects of what I do. Indeed, it helped me understand that I was *in* a helping profession, and gave me a chance to meet many wonderful peers and colleagues. River Aaland has a unique genius for building such intentional, positive community spaces; she's done this work with Ophelia's Place for many years. I'm happy to hear that she and her team have put together another one, Regenerate 2024, to happen this spring - I'll be there.”
-Ben Young, 2023 & 2024 Regenerate Attendee
Kristen Hutchinson, 2023 Regenerate Attendee
2024 Regenerate Photo Gallery
