Creative Wilderness
A Healing Arts Retreat
Join us this Labor Day Weekend for a transformative experience of creative healing and self expression.
August 30 - September 2
Mendocino, California
Drop into the creative wilderness! Spend three beautiful nights during Labor Day Weekend among the Redwood trees. Immerse yourself in daily creative workshops, yoga and meditation classes, time in nature, delicious vegan meals, and so much more…
Your Soul Is Calling.
In our busy lives, we often keep going, sticking with what's working. But deep down, we long for something more. We crave an invitation to heal parts of ourselves, to express our creativity, and to listen to the whisper of our soul.
About the experience…
✅ Let Your Creativity Flow
Our daily creative workshops will be your chance to play, create, and express your heart. Messy, honest, and imperfect art is always encouraged 😌. All art materials will be provided. No prior experience is required!
✅ Delicious Vegan Meals
Healing begins with our food! I’m so grateful to have this retreat catered by my dear friend, Estefania Perez del Solar. She is a certified Ayurvedic Chef from New York and specializes in cooking delicious loved-filled meals for retreats and gatherings. 🥗
✅ Time in Nature
Spirit Camp is tucked into an oasis of redwoods in Mendocino and about five minutes from the coast. Enjoy hikes, nature baths, stargazing, sunshine, campfires and more in this beautiful setting. Nature is healing medicine.
✅ Creative Care Package
In addition to your retreat, you’ll be receiving a special gift! I’ve designed large custom block-printed cloth bags for you to take home with you. You will also receive your very own watercolor set and sketchbook 🎨.
✅ 3 Nights Accommodation
Spend the weekend among the Redwoods! Rustic and cozy accommodations range from shared spaces to private cabins. Cabins do not have attached bathrooms. Instead, guests have access to newly renovated communal bathrooms just a short walk away. ⛺️
✅ Daily Meditation & Yoga
Start your day by nourishing your body and mind! Our co-facilitators (Rasa Sindhu and Leela) will host a guided yoga and meditation class each morning before breakfast. 🧘🏽♀️
Prioritize Your Healing.
Creative expression is an essential part of healing. It isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity and allows us to share what is real, honest, and true.
Let go of any self-limiting beliefs, and experience the transformative effects of creating art within nature!
Feeling is Healing
What would your life feel like if you made space for creativity?
Meet your host
Hi! My name is Rukmini Poddar and I’m the author and artist of Draw Your Feelings.
I’ve been drawing my own emotions since 2016 and teaching others to do the same. I work with teachers, therapists, corporate teams, and more.
I’m passionate about community building and so I’m absolutely thrilled to offer this retreat. It’s been a dream of mine to create an experience where we can come together in-person and create honest, meaningful art together.
I can’t imagine a more beautiful setting to make art, find community, and connect to our hearts. I hope to see you and meet you at the retreat!
Our creativity is an invitation for rebirth: to look at the world in a new way.
What to expect
Connect to your heart
Drop into your heart and truly meet yourself. Your emotions, your grief, your joy, your hope. Learn to visualize your feelings as lines, shapes, colors, and more. 💗
Connect with Each Other
Meet other like-minded people and connect within a community of friends who are supporting and encouraging you to simply be you! ✨
Connect with Nature
Enjoy hikes, nature baths, stargazing, sunshine, campfires and more in this beautiful setting. Nature is truly a healing medicine. 🌳
Full Body Nourishment
Delicious vegan meals catered three times a day
Delight in delicious health vegan meals, snacks, and a variety of beverages prepared with love and intention. All meals will be provided from dinner Friday evening through brunch on Monday, made by our chef, Estefania Perez.
She is a certified Ayurvedic chef and specializes in cooking for large groups and retreats. Not only is Estefania a talented cook, but she’s been a dear friend of mine for over 10 years. She will be flying in all the way from New York to be with us over the weekend!
Let’s PAINT! 🎨
Come home with your very own creative care package - custom designed bag, watercolor sketchbook, and watercolor paint set 🌟
Our daily creative workshops will be your chance to play, create, and express your heart. Messy, honest, and imperfect art is always encouraged!
I will teach the basic principles of how to draw your feelings, and you will engage in different techniques and practices to fill your sketchbooks, create artwork that mirrors your inner life, and have a chance to re-ignite your creativity.
All art materials will be provided. No prior experience is required!
Choose Your Retreat Package
Each cabin features oakwood floors, redwood furnishings, and is equipped with high-quality linens, soft cotton sheets, and space heaters for your comfort. Please note, cabins do not have attached bathrooms. Instead, guests have access to newly renovated communal bathrooms — complete with ample sinks, toilets, and hot showers — just a short 1-2 minute walk away.
Private Room
Opt for a private cabin with a single or queen-sized bed, offering the perfect sanctuary for reflection and solitude.
Packages starting at $1,500
All meals, snacks, activities, and art materials included
Shared Room
Share a beautifully appointed cabin with a cozy bed (single or queen-sized). It's the perfect choice for making new friends and deepening connections.
Packages starting at $1,250
All meals, snacks, activities, and art materials included
Glamping
The luxury glamping options includes: organic cotton sheets, linen comforters, rug, pillows, bedside table, and lantern. Each tent is private with a single bed.
The tent will already be set up when you arrive, and will be taken down after you leave. You simply get to show up and enjoy 😌
Packages starting at $1,200
All meals, snacks, activities, and art materials included
Bunk Room
Choose to stay with 7 other wonderful humans in this beautiful bunk house. Newly renovated with oakwood floors and redwood furnishings.
Packages starting at $950
All meals, snacks, activities, and art materials included
A comprehensive list of accommodation and pricing options can be found on our application page below.
A $500 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot.
Retreat Schedule
Friday, August 30
4-6 PM Welcome & Check-in
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Opening Circle
Saturday, August 31
7:00 AM Journaling and Silent Time in the Sanctuary
7:30 AM Meditation in the Sanctuary
8:00 AM Yoga class
9:00 Breakfast & Coffee/Tea
10:30 Creative Workshop #1
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 Break
3:00 Nature Art Journaling and Mindfulness Hike (Redwood forest)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Closing Session
Sunday, September 1
7:00 AM Journaling and Silent Time in the Sanctuary
7:30 AM Meditation in the Sanctuary
8:00 Yoga class
9:00 Breakfast & Coffee/Tea
10:30 Creative Workshop #2
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 Break
3:00 Nature Art Journaling and Mindfulness Hike (Ocean)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Closing session, bon fire & s’mores
Monday, September 2
7:00 AM Journaling and Silent Time in the Sanctuary
7:30 AM Meditation in The Sanctuary
8:00 Yoga class with Leela
9:00 Breakfast & Coffee/Tea
10:30 Closing Circle + Group Photo
12:00 PM Pack up and Goodbyes
Book a free call to see if this retreat is right for you!
Can’t find the right call time?
Retreat starts: Friday, August 30th @ 6:00pm
Retreat ends: Monday, September 2nd @ 12:00pm
Location — Spirit Camp is in Little River, CA, which is 12-minutes South of the coastal town of Mendocino, CA. You’ll receive the address upon booking.
From the SF Bay Area, the drive to camp is 3 hours North of the Golden Gate Bridge (without traffic) through coastal farmland and redwood forest.
Transportation — Since there aren’t any busses or trains to the Mendocino coast, we’ll connect folks coming from the Bay Area ahead of time for those who need and can offer a carpool.
Air Travel — For flights, we recommend arriving at San Francisco Int’l (SFO), Oakland Airport (OAK) or Santa Rosa Airport (STS) and renting a car (or carpooling). Pro Tip: Direct flights to SFO are recommended over flights to STS that require a layover.
Travel Timing — Please arrive with ample time for driving and settling in by 6:00pm on Friday and being able to leave camp on Monday no earlier than 12:00pm.
Travel Information
About Spirit Camp
Spirit Camp is nestled in the enchanting redwoods on the Mendocino coast of Northern California, unceded territory of the Pomo people.
We’re a beautiful 2-3 hour drive North of the San Francisco Bay Area, and 12 minutes to the town of Mendocino with organic grocery stores, shops, and restaurants.
Only a mile inland from the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy bluff-lined beaches, hike through redwood state parks, river canoe, and ocean kayak within minutes from camp.
Address: 4640 Albion Little River Rd Little River, CA 95456
Learn more about camp customs, things to do in the surrounding area and what to pack: www.spirit.camp
Ready to book your space?
FAQs
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There is a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. We do understand that unforeseen circumstances can occur, but because of our pre-retreat financial obligations to the center, deposits cannot not be refunded. Before you sign up, please make sure this is a retreat you can the make time and space to attend. Full payment is due 90 days before the start of the retreat and is non-refundable.
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Absolutely! 💖 If you feel intimidated or even afraid of creating art..you are in the right place. This retreat will open you up and stretch the creative muscles you didn even know you had!
And if you are a veteran artist, this retreat is also for you. You may not learn specific painting and drawing techniques here. But you will be given an opportunity to draw and create what is REAL for you and draw meaningful connections out of your artwork. -
Sadly, we can't allow pets. Children under 16 who are not participating in the retreat as students unfortunately can't join either.
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Honestly, I’m the same way! But I find being in small, intentional gatherings of like-minded souls incredibly energizing. If you don’t mind shared accommodations, shared bathroom, and plenty of time connecting with people and making new friends - this may be a good stretch for you. However, you know yourself best. If this feels like too much for you, then trust that. You can always e-mail or set up a call with me to talk more about your needs.
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Feel free to e-mail me at dearruksi@gmail.com