Willow Weaving Wisdom: A Forest Meditation Retreat
March 20-24th, 2025
Hostel in the Forest | Brunswick, GA
Discover the Art of Weaving Willow Baskets While Cultivating a Connection to Earth & Community
Dear Community,
In June of 2023, I ventured to Firefly Earthskills Gathering. The meditative art of basket weaving had been calling me since I started studying art therapy, and that was precisely my aim when I signed up—to immerse myself in the enchanting world of willow basket weaving.
I had the pleasure of meeting Tyler Lavenburg, our patient and kind-hearted willow basket weaving teacher. Over four immersive days, and under his gentle guidance, I surrendered to the craft of basket weaving.
As I delved into the creative flow, I sensed my mind's inner tapestry weaving itself together. Each day of weaving left me with a profound tranquility and a closer connection with my inner wisdom. The similarities between weaving baskets and weaving the complex threads of our minds became evident—a harmonious order seemed to emerge within my psyche. My thoughts intertwined, constructing structure, solving problems, and reshaping my perspective on the issues I was facing.
This graceful dance requires patience, focus, and a delicate balance—much like weaving together our thoughts, emotions, and experiences into a cohesive tapestry, aiding our navigation through life. It was evident—this art held something truly special, so naturally, I shared my conviction with Tyler: We simply had to collaborate on hosting a retreat to share this profound artistry!
We hosted our second sold out retreat in Oct of 2024, and we are excited to invite you to our third Willow Weaving Wisdom Retreat Mar 20th-24th, 2025 at Hostel in the Forest!
This is more than a crafting workshop; it's a transformative journey offering a respite from daily chaos, a chance to rediscover oneself, connect with your community, and Mother Earth.
Willow basket weaving transcends mere craftsmanship; it's a journey that breathes life into our cultural heritage and fosters a deeper communion with nature and inner harmony. These woven vessels, sturdy and steeped in functionality, carry the echoes of generations, each thread whispering stories of endurance and legacy.
Images from Willow Weaving Wisdom Retreat in Mars Hill, NC
Our Retreat Venue: Hostel in the Forest in Brunswick, GA
Nestled on 140 acres of lush forest and wetlands in Brunswick, Georgia, Hostel in the Forest offers a serene escape just a short drive from the famed "Golden Isles" of St. Simons and Jekyll Island. Surrounded by dense subtropical forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna, including majestic moss-draped live oaks and over three hundred species of birds, our venue is a haven for nature enthusiasts.
Established in 1975 as The Hostel in the Forest, our unique accommodations feature geodesic domes and tree houses, providing a minimalist yet enchanting experience. Our retreat also boasts beautiful gardens, a serene lake with a floating dock, a captivating glass house, and a meditative labyrinth. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit spiritual retreat center and educational facility, we are dedicated to fostering tranquility and self-discovery through sustainable living, organic gardening, and holistic practices such as yoga and meditation.
Embrace the simplicity of our eco-friendly amenities and let the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings revitalize your spirit.
The Experience
Weaving Willow Pack Baskets
Each day of the retreat will be spent under the gentle guidance of instructor Tyler Lavenburg, as you enter flow states of pure creation, meticulously crafting your own willow basket. Weaving these baskets not only a deeply meditative practice, but also imparts a deep understanding of cultural preservation, providing you with a highly durable, functional creation that can be cherished for generations. This empowering experience allows you to leave the retreat with a finished basket, highlighting the sustainable alternative to plastic backpacks and fostering a profound sense of self-sufficiency.
Fostering Connections
Art therapist Ella Dufrene will support you in fostering a deeper connection with the material and with one another through journaling, gentle movement practices, group sharing, and art therapy methods. Ella's expertise in art therapy and counseling will provide creative avenues for self-expression, enabling participants to explore their feelings and experiences in verbal and non-verbal ways. This holistic approach to self-discovery and personal growth will enhance the overall retreat experience, encouraging self-reflection, emotional expression, and a deeper connection with the teachings and the community.
Nature Immersion
Weaving willow baskets is a profound way to connect with the Earth, especially when nestled within a mystical forest. It involves using natural materials harvested from the environment, making you attuned to the cycles of nature. The act of crafting with your hands, coupled with an awareness of the plant's origin, fosters a deep connection with the Earth's resources, emphasizing sustainability and our interdependence with the natural world.
Meet Willow
Willow belongs to the genus Salix and is a member of the Salicaceae family. There are over 400 different species of willow, each with its unique characteristics. Willows can take the form of trees or shrubs, depending on the species. They are characterized by slender, flexible branches with narrow, elongated leaves.
History
Ancient Roots: Willow has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. It was revered by various ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who recognized its medicinal properties and used it in religious rituals.
Traditional Medicine: Willow bark contains natural compounds, such as salicin, which have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Native Americans used willow bark as a natural remedy for pain, and its active ingredient, salicylic acid, later served as the basis for developing aspirin.
Cultural Symbolism: In different cultures, willow has been a symbol of flexibility, resilience, and renewal. Its ability to thrive in various environments and its rapid growth have made it a symbol of adaptation and growth.
What’s Included?
4 nights accommodation in a hut, treehouse or dorm room at Hostel in the Forest.
Three delectable, healthy, and nourishing meals prepared each day by our own personal chef. Vegan and vegetarian options available. We will accommodate any and all dietary needs
Drinking water, tea, & coffee
All materials, instruction, and gentle guidance to create your own willow basket pack
Daily movement practices, meditation, journaling and integration circles led by Ella
Access to trails, outdoor showers and hot tub, glasshouse, library dome, labyrinth and more!
Meet Your Guides
Ella Dufrene MPS,ATR
Registered Art Therapist, YTT 200
Ella is a registered art therapist with a Masters in Art Therapy & Creativity Development from the Pratt Institute. Ella's expertise spans from presenting her work in the esteemed Wynwood galleries in Miami to assisting individuals in rediscovering their happiness and overcoming life's obstacles. She has worked with a broad spectrum of individuals, including those with autism, at-risk youth and hospice to those grappling with deeply rooted trauma, life transitions and addictions. Her methodology emphasizes a holistic perspective on wellness, underscoring the healing power of art therapy.
Deeply connected to the restorative flow and wisdom fostered by Mother Earth, Ella began exploring eco-art therapy techniques, and moving toward an ecological artistic context that emphasizes ritual, ceremony and connection to our Mother Earth. This led her to facilitate her first Eco-Art Therapy Retreat in 2016 in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Since then, Ella has organized and hosted 8 successful retreats in 3 different countries.
All of those that know and work with Ella can feel her passion for the healing properties of nature, art and dance/movement. She approaches her day to day and work-life with a zest for life, a playful spirit and a contagiously open mind.
Tyler Lavenberg
Tyler and his family align their life with the cycles of the seasons and the bounty of the wild. They harvest and utilize as much as they can from the gardens and forests around them.
Tyler first fell in love with Southern Appalachian ecology as a student at Warren Wilson College, where he received a degree in Environmental Education. The children’s novel My Side of the Mountain sparked Tyler’s passion for traditional skills and wild foods. Since then, he’s been blessed with teachers and mentors who continue to draw his attention into deeper layers of mystery and the possibilities around crafting a handmade, wild life.
Over the years, Tyler has studied, apprenticed and taught at many traditional skills schools and events, including Wild Abundance, The Roots School, Living Earth School, Earthskills Rendezvous, The Firefly Gathering, Florida Earthskills, Whippoorwill, and others. He’s worked with hundreds of children and adults through public and private schools, homeschool cooperatives, and special events.
Tyler has experience in all many traditional crafts and skills, with a special passion for willow basketry. He tends around 30 species of European basket willow and plans to provide basket material and live cuttings to the Asheville community in the near future.
Early Bird Prices
*There are only 13 spots available.
*Make your deposit before Feb 1st , 2025 and save $200!
Single $1,545 per person
Double $1,245 per person
Tiple $1,145 per person
Dorm $945 per person
After February 1st
Single $1,745 per person
Double $1,445 per person
Triple $1,345 per person
Dorm $1,145 per person
Dorm Occupancy: Shared space for up to 4 people in a geodesic dome called Narnia, equipped with four twin-size beds.
Triple Occupancy: Shared space in the Honeymoon treehouse, featuring one queen-size bed and two twin-size beds.
Double Occupancy: Shared space in a treehouse with either two twin-size beds or one full-size bed.
Single Occupancy: Private hut or treehouse.
How do I sign up?
Schedule a 15 minute introductory phone call to meet & determine if this retreat is right for you! If you are a returning retreat guest, or are a past or current art therapy client, you can skip this step!
Make a $500 deposit. You may also pay through Venmo @Ella-Dufrene. Please include the type of occupancy you would like and dietary restrictions in the notes.
Fill out a health questionnaire that will be sent to you upon receipt of deposit.
Pay the remaining balance on or before Feb 20th, 2025.
Cancellation Policy
$500 deposit refundable up to 48 hours after reserving your spot and is non-refundable thereafter. Your deposit can however be used as a credit toward 5 individual art therapy sessions or the online Fundamentals of Therapeutic Arts Training.
The remaining balance is due February 20th, 2025. Cancellations made before February 20th, 2025 are fully refundable minus the $500 deposit. Any cancellations made after February 20th, 2025 are non-refundable however can be used as a credit toward 10 individual art therapy sessions and Fundamentals of Therapeutic Arts Training. If you have to cancel for any reason, your spot, including the deposit, is fully transferable to another person.
In the event that we are unable to arrive to the retreat due to border closure or any other natural disaster sometime before April 1st, 2026, after one or more unsuccessful attempts to secure a change of date due to ongoing travel restrictions/border closure, all guests will receive a full refund of the monies paid to attend the retreat minus the $500 deposit, which can still be used as a credit toward 5 individual art therapy sessions.
I (Ella Dufrene) reserve the right to cancel the trip, if I need to cancel the trip for any reason, all monies paid, including the deposit are refunded in full. I reserve the right to determine if you are not a good fit for this trip (if so your deposit will be refunded in full).
Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans.
We hope to weave lasting memories with you!
Testimonials & Images from Past Retreats
Faye Ibars
“I have now been to 5 different retreats with Ella and that's just the beginning. These experiences have been transformative for me, and I will continue to attend as many retreats as I can. I've benefitted immensely from the varied workshops and especially meeting from the fellow attendees. What a beautiful way to connect with like-minded people. Madre Tierra retreats combine nature and art with a focus on personal growth. It's spiritual summer camp! Personally, I was so inspired by the last retreat that I've continued to pursue art, painting, collage, and try all kinds forms of self-expression. Can't wait for the next time I can reconnect with myself and Mother Earth!"
Xochi
“I’ve been actively working for the last year towards acknowledging and confronting my demons such as anger, irrationality, self-pity, resentment, immaturity, etc… A few months ago at Ella’s retreat, I moved from acknowledgement to acceptance. Since then I have felt freed from the burden of these traits. I discovered that I am fully empowered and in control and I was taught some strategies to work on. It’s not easy for me to say I’m no angel, but at least now I no longer feel helpless towards.”
Steph Blanco
“Words can’t even begin to describe the beautiful experience I had at Ella’s retreat. I was able to connect with my community on a deeper level. The environment that was created was so unique and special that people including myself were able to release their inhibitions and truly be themselves. The tears, laughter, openness and appreciation that joined us all as one is something I’ll never forget. The Madre Tierra retreat came together in such a harmonious way that it left all of us who started as strangers - feeling connected, peaceful and as if we had known each other forever. I truly believe everyone found a little piece of themselves that they didn’t know they were searching for.”
