Cameron's Staff Pick
Beloved Community Bootcamp: A Training for Bridge-Builders
Cortes Island, Strathcona, BC, Canada
October 6 - 11, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- New ways of being that enable powerful new choices and actions to enact clarity, compassion and love
- Real-time coaching and feedback
- Increased capacity to navigate uncertainty, difference and conflict
- Tools and frameworks to work transformationally with individuals, teams and communities
- Embodiment exercises for wellbeing
- Group practices to grow capabilities interpersonally, emotionally, and cognitively
- Zen meditation and teachings on compassion and love
- Opportunities to connect to nature
About this Retreat
Lisa Gibson is a transformative facilitator, coach, educator and systems change consultant. With over 25 years experience in local and international work at multiple scales, she supports individuals, teams and organizations to bring their whole hearts forward in creating a more just, caring and sustainable world. Lisa’s work with diverse clients focuses on a range of issues, with a particular focus on supporting the inner and outer leadership capacities required to affect change in a world with increasingly complex political, economic, environmental and cultural challenges.
Lisa is a certified Integral Facilitator, and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria, and a Masters in Gender and Development from the University of Sussex. She is also a founding instructor and curriculum designer in a wide variety of social innovation, systems change, facilitation, mindfulness programs and more globally, including the Social Innovation Certificate at Simon Fraser University. Lisa is a transmitted Zen teacher in the Soto Zen lineage. She is grateful to be based in Vancouver, Canada on the unceded Coast Salish lands and waters of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Wauthuth Nations with her two children and partner.
lisagibson.co
Gabe Wilson, founder of Freedom & Fairness, is helping us unlock the power of radical collaboration in service of enacting greater freedom, fairness and compassion. He is a facilitator, advisor, and co-author of
Compassionate Conversations: How to Speak and Listen from the Heart and
Waking Up and Growing Up: Spiritual Cross Training for an Evolving World (forthcoming, summer 2025). His work takes us to the intersection of social justice and purpose driven enterprises, mindfulness, design thinking, human psychology and group dynamics.
Gabe studied adult developmental psychology and leadership through Stanford’s Masters program in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies (POLS). He was a lecturer at Stanford University for the innovative program, Designing Your Life, where he taught undergraduate and graduate students the principles of design thinking as applied to personal and professional development. He is a certified Integral Facilitator. He is a practitioner of meditation in the Zen lineage at the Two Arrows Zen Center.
https://www.freedomandfairness.co
Details of this retreat
Today we find ourselves living in unprecedented transitions. The global scope of crises we face are disrupting how we live, work, and love, and the changes only continue to escalate.
Under this pressure, we are growing increasingly fragmented, drifting into greater polarization and feeding energies like fear, anxiety, and resentment. In attempts to find certainty and security, our minds are increasingly entrenched in us-them logic patterns, dimming our imagination to the beautiful and inspiring possibilities of who we might be to one another and what future we might create together.
Beloved Community is the antidote to our fractured politics and unbridled ethnocentrism. Beloved Community is a framework, a vision and an unrelenting commitment to everyone and our shared humanity. It is a practice of standing in the liminal, as a bridge between the world as it is and the world as it ought to be, honing hearts and minds to embody and enact respect, care and equity in the spaces that we work, live and play.
Why “Bootcamp”?
We mean for bootcamp to convey a rigorous practice space, like a dojo. This means we are designing a practice space committed to discovering the Beloved Community, discovering who we can be to one another so that we can enact a future of mutual thriving for all.
This training space is informed by adaptive leadership, Zen meditation and a holistic approach to human development, specifically focused on your interpersonal skills, emotional agility, and perspective taking ability.
This training is for you:
If you are clear that ethnocentric, rivalrous dynamics are an evolutionary dead-end. And, that we need to discover real and enlivened ways to embody Beloved Community.
If you are a leader working at two levels - the job you were hired to do & humanizing the workplace. You desire to grow your skills in working with difference in service of creating more coherence and wholeness.
If you are a coach, facilitator or consultant who is looking for novel ways of sensing, feeling, and thinking about us-them dynamics.
If you are interested in reacting less from ego and more from your innate wholeness.
If you have a learner-mindset: you are open, humble, and yearn to learn.
What you will receive:
New ways of being that enable powerful new choices and actions to enact clarity, compassion and love
Real-time coaching and feedback
Increased capacity to navigate uncertainty, difference and conflict
Tools and frameworks to work transformationally with individuals, teams and communities
Daily practice will include:
Embodiment exercises for wellbeing
Group practices to grow capabilities interpersonally, emotionally, and cognitively
Zen meditation and teachings on compassion and love
Opportunities to connect to nature
Testimonials
"I would recommend this training to people because it truly delivers on its promise of altering your perspective. The possibility of reaching across the barrier that divides us had not been possible in my lifetime before this training." -Ahmad Wright, Assistant Dean of Career Education, Stanford University
"This training was unlike any training around equality I've ever had... it had the power to encourage everyone in the room to be an agent of new resolutions, while being courageous enough to help the room get real about their growth edges, in the spirit of mutual support." -Roshanda Cummings, Community Catalyst, Impact Hub Oakland
“This workshop was the most powerful equity, diversity, inclusion experience I have ever had. Gabe, Lisa and team did a terrific job holding and cultivating an unpredictable space and created the conditions for a truly remarkable outcome. It deeply touched my heart and expanded my perspectives. I highly recommend this workshop for those who authentically care about diversity and want to dive deep into the conversations that matter most.” -Adam Leonard, Executive Development, Google
Daily Schedule
A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodations are located throughout our lush campus, ranging in price to suit most budgets. Choose from private, beachfront or ocean facing rooms, dorm-style lodging or cabins that nestle in the quiet seclusion of the forest. Our beautiful campsites are also available, with a cedar bath house conveniently located for your use.
Room fees include all Hollyhock basics, like stimulating presenter evenings, delicious, organic meals, morning yoga/meditation classes, guided naturalist walks and tours of the garden, as well as luxurious soaks in our ocean-view hot-tubs. Telephones and wireless Internet are centrally located.
Room Options Include:
Single: 1 Person
Twin: Couple or Friends, 2 beds.
Couple: Couples or Friends sharing 1 bed.
Family/Friends: 3 or more adult friends or family /2 beds
Dorm: Up to 6 people/bunk beds
Tenting with full-service bath house (bring your own tent and bedding)
Roommates can be assigned, upon request, in twin and dorm rooms only.
Private Cabin Oceanfront
This prized cabin includes one queen bedroom, a common area with fireplace and couch, mini-kitchen, private bathroom, and deck overlooking the ocean. Located on our water's edge with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding Desolation Sound.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi.
Single w/ensuite Oceanfront
Located on our water's edge with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding Desolation Sound. These rooms include a queen bed and your own private bathroom. The building has a shared kitchen and living space, with a large deck on the ocean side.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Single w/ensuite
Spacious rooms with a queen bed and private bathroom. Enjoy your own space immersed in nature and the surrounding views.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Single w/shared bathroom
These cozy private rooms have a shared bathroom, and some rooms have a small desk.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Couple w/ensuite Oceanfront
Located on our water’s edge with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding Desolation Sound. These luxurious rooms include your own private bathroom. The building has a shared kitchen and living space, with a large deck on the ocean side.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
*For couples attending separate programs, please advise in the comment section. Your reservation will be adjusted and you will receive an updated confirmation.
Couple w/ensuite
These spacious rooms have a queen bed with a private bathroom. Enjoy your own space immersed in nature and the surrounding views.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
*For couples attending separate programs, please advise in the comment section. Your reservation will be adjusted and you will receive an updated confirmation.
Couple w/shared bathroom
These cozy private rooms have a queen or double bed and a shared bathroom. Some rooms have a small desk.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
*For couples attending separate programs, please advise in the comment section. Your reservation will be adjusted and you will receive an updated confirmation.
Twin w/ensuite oceanfront
This room has two double beds and will be shared by two people. Your room mate will be chosen at random based on gender, or you can request to share with someone you know. The room is located on our water’s edge with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding Desolation Sound, and includes a private bathroom. The building has access to a kitchen and living space with a large deck on the ocean side.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Twin w/ensuite
These rooms have two beds and will be shared by two people. You can share with someone you know or your room mate will be chosen at random based on gender. They are spacious and modern with a queen bed, twin bed, or sofa pull out, and include a private bathroom.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Twin w/shared bathroom
These rooms have two beds and will be shared by two people. You can share with someone you know or your room mate will be chosen at random based on gender. Nested in ferns and blackberry bushes, these cozy and rustic rooms have a shared bathroom. Please be advised some have an external bathhouse.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Three-share w/shared bathroom
These rooms have three beds and will be shared by three people. Your room mates will be chosen at random based on gender, or you can request to share with someone you know.
This comfortable room surrounded by lush green forest has one double bed and two twin beds. A small kitchenette with a small fridge is available. The bathroom is shared with another room.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
Women Dorm
Rustic and cozy, our dorms are our most economical room option. This dorm can accommodate up to 6 people and has its own washroom. This option is for female-identified people only.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
All dorm beds are assigned, please ask the reception desk first if you would like to switch beds.
In consideration of other participants in your dorm, if you require an alarm clock, please bring a battery-powered one with no audible noise.
If sound may keep you awake, we recommend bringing ear-plugs with you to ensure a good-night’s rest. If you are a loud snorer, the dorms may not be suitable for you.
Men's Dorm
Rustic and cozy, our dorms are our most economical room option. This dorm can accommodate up to 4 people and has its own washroom. This option is for male-identified people only.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
All dorm beds are assigned, please ask the reception desk first if you would like to switch beds.
In consideration of other participants in your dorm, if you require an alarm clock, please bring a battery-powered one with no audible noise.
If sound may keep you awake, we recommend bringing ear-plugs with you to ensure a good-night’s rest. If you are a loud snorer, the dorms may not be suitable for you.
Mixed Dorm
Open to all! Rustic and cozy, our dorms are our most economical room option. This dorm can accommodate up to 6 people and has its own washroom.
We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.
All dorm beds are assigned, please ask the reception desk first if you would like to switch beds.
In consideration of other participants in your dorm, if you require an alarm clock, please bring a battery-powered one with no audible noise.
If sound may keep you awake, we recommend bringing ear-plugs with you to ensure a good-night’s rest. If you are a loud snorer, the dorms may not be suitable for you.
Tent Site Single
For nature lovers, set up your tent near cedars and reconnect with nature.
Bathhouse nearby with showers and toilets. Bring your own tent, towels, and all appropriate camping gear. Due to fire safety, cooking on campsites is not permitted. Three meals a day from the Hollyhock kitchen are included in your total cost.
Please be aware that this area is accessed by walking paths only. There may be uneven terrain in the forest.
Stoves, campfires, and recreational vehicles are not allowed on campus.
Tent Site Couple
For nature lovers, set up your tent near cedars and reconnect with nature.
Bathhouse nearby with showers and toilets. Bring your own tent, towels, and all appropriate camping gear. Due to fire safety, cooking on campsites is not permitted. Three meals a day from the Hollyhock kitchen are included in your total cost.
Please be aware that this area is accessed by walking paths only. There may be uneven terrain in the forest.
Stoves, campfires, and recreational vehicles are not allowed on campus.
*For couples attending separate programs, please advise in the comment section. Your reservation will be adjusted and you will receive an updated confirmation.
Commuter
Staying off-site. Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and unlimited use of the property’s facilities. If you prefer to have no breakfast or only lunch, please check the appropriate box in your registration form under the commuter question. Lunch is $31 and Dinner is $63 per day, plus tax. Your package and pricing will be updated manually and you will get a second confirmation when we have updated your package. Please call us if you have any questions or would like a different meal arrangement: 1.800.933.6339
Cameron's Staff Pick
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Verified
Plant Medicine
Relationship & Community
Leadership & Social Change
Spirituality
Health & Wellness
