Reconnect. Recharge. Rediscover.
The Great Escape
Shift’s Summer Camp for Women
Early Bird
opens Feb 15, 2026
$1195
8 spots available at this rate
Save $200
(Full Price $1395)
Plan Your Escape
Choose Your Retreat Experience
A Retreat for Women Seeking Adventure, Connection, and Play
Escape the Ordinary
Step into the beauty of nature and experience the joy of connection, playfulness, and personal growth. The Great Escape is your chance to rediscover the carefree spirit of summer camp, reimagined for women.
Imagine yourself here...
Arriving
You arrive at The Great Escape a little nervous, a little excited. As you step into the rustic beauty of Powell Lake, something softens. Sunlight filters through the trees. Nearby, women laugh as they unload their gear. For the first time in a long while, you feel free — away from responsibility, on the edge of a sisterhood waiting to form.
Gathering
That first night, you gather to share stories around the fire. You sit together at long tables, eating delicious, home-cooked meals, laughing and settling into the rhythm of camp. The quiet spark of connection begins to glow.
Waking Up
Mornings arrive gently. No alarms — just birdsong and the pull of the lake. You slip into cool water, surprising yourself with courage and laughter, starting the day feeling awake, alive, and present.
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Playing & Exploring
The rhythm of the retreat sweeps you up. You find yourself trying things you haven’t done in years—or ever. Canoeing, hiking forest trails, and playing games. Later, you dive into a creative workshop, hands deep in art supplies, your imagination flowing like it did when you were a kid.
Coming Home
By nightfall, you’re dancing under the stars, self-consciousness left behind. Strangers feel like friends. You realize you’re exactly where you’re meant to be — immersed in nature, unapologetically playful, and deeply connected.
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The Great Escape isn’t just a retreat.
It’s a return — to joy, to strength, to your wild heart.
What to Expect
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Polar Bear Swims: Start your mornings with a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters.
Yoga & Meditation: Ground yourself with daily mindfulness practices.
Ecstatic Dance: Move freely and joyfully under the stars during our guided dance session.
Adventure Race: Test your skills and teamwork in a fun, lighthearted outdoor challenge.
Creative Workshops: Explore your imagination through photography and art activities inspired by the natural world.
Campfire Evenings: Reflect, laugh, and connect with like-minded women around the fire.
Diverse workshops/ activities: Explore local area, learn new outdoor skills, and find some quiet time to go inwards.
Private sessions: Book a 60-minute massage and/or a private 20-minute photography session with professionals.
A WEEKEND OF ADVENTURE & CONNECTION
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Day 1: Arrival & Connection
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Welcome and settle into your accommodations.
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Create personalized name tags and explore the surroundings.
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Join the group for dinner and orientation.
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Gather around the campfire for storytelling, intention-setting, and connection.
Day 2: Play, Explore & Express
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Optional morning activities like a polar bear swim or yoga to start the day.
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Choose from a variety of workshops, including water adventures, creative arts, or wellness discussions.
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Enjoy time for self-reflection, relaxation, or exploring nature during free time.
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End the day with a vibrant evening of ecstatic dance under the stars.
Day 3: The Big Adventure
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Start the morning with optional wellness activities.
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Take part in an exciting team-based adventure race with challenges that draw on the skills you've learned.
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Spend the afternoon with optional activities like guided hikes, paddling, or creative workshops.
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Celebrate the weekend with an evening of laughter, stories, and reflections around the fire.
Day 4: Farewell & Reflection
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Begin with optional activities like yoga or a final polar bear swim.
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Engage in closing workshops or free time to savor the last moments of the retreat.
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Share a final meal together.
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Conclude with a heartfelt closing circle, expressing gratitude and saying goodbyes.
NATURE'S PLAYGROUND
Powell Lake Outdoor Centre
The Powell Lake Outdoor Learning Centre provides a stunning and tranquil setting for The Great Escape, making it the perfect venue for a transformative retreat. Nestled in the lush forests of British Columbia’s qathet Region, this off-grid facility blends eco-friendly practices with rustic charm, offering an ideal balance of adventure and serenity.
VENUE HIGHLIGHTS
RUSTIC CHARM & COMFORT:
The Centre offers 5 Bunk House cabins designed to accommodate groups. Each cabin can sleep up to 12 guests, featuring a mix of bunk beds, single beds, and queen-sized beds. All cabins are fully accessible. Some cabins come with ensuite washrooms, while others provide convenient access to shared washrooms located in the nearby Main Lodge.
Alternatively, if you prefer to camp, there are 6 tent platforms available as well as a provincial campground a 5-minute walking distance away.
BREATHTAKING NATURAL BEAUTY:
Surrounded by towering cedar and Douglas fir trees, the Centre boasts serene waters, diverse activity locations, and pristine trails. The tranquil setting invites participants to reconnect with nature and find peace amidst the lush greenery.
ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES:
Operating entirely off-grid, the Centre is a model of sustainability. It generates its own power, purifies its water, and manages waste with minimal environmental impact, ensuring a retreat experience that respects the natural world.
ACCESSIBLE ADVENTURE:
With its serene lakefront location, guests can explore activities like canoeing, paddleboarding, and hiking. The climbing wall and nature connection workshops provide opportunities for both physical challenge and reflection
CULTURAL CONNECTION:
Located on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation, the Centre honors the rich heritage and culture of the Coast Salish people. Participants can experience the region’s history and deep-rooted connection to the land.
Meet Your Facilitators
Renee Baron
Camp Directoress
Renée , owner of Shift Adventure & Wellness, is passionate about empowering women through outdoor exploration and wellness. A certified yoga and meditation teacher, she designs transformative programs that blend mindfulness, adventure, and connection. Renée’s retreats celebrate sisterhood, nature, and playfulness, offering women a chance to recharge and rediscover their wild, adventurous selves.
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Christine Hollmann
Assistant Camp Directoress
Christine, owner of Terracentric Wilderness Adventures, brings a rare blend of experience, heart, and grounded leadership to the Great Escape. With decades of work in outdoor education, adventure tourism, and youth development, she has a deep understanding of what it takes to create spaces where people feel safe, supported, and free to grow. With a background in psychology and education, Christine is highly attuned to group dynamics and human connection. Her work is thoughtful, inclusive, and rooted in respect — for individuals, for community, and for the land itself. She holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid, sea kayak instruction, and adventure-based learning, alongside strong organizational and program leadership skills. Christine grew up in Powell River, spending her early years immersed in outdoor life — exploring, learning, and building a relationship with this place that continues today. She brings a deep appreciation for the Indigenous history of the region and a strong sense of place into everything she does. At the Great Escape, Christine’s steady presence supports both facilitators and participants, helping the camp unfold with care, intention, and ease. Her leadership helps create the conditions for playfulness, connection, and meaningful experiences to naturally emerge.
Jamie Dobbs
Teacher, owner of Art Lab & Northwest by Nature and creative extraordinaire
Jamie loves learning, brain science, nature, and art. She also loves sharing the benefits of creativity for the mind and body with children and adults through Art Lab. She weaves somatic and mindfulness practices into her workshops to help people tap into creativity and calm of the right brain using hands on therapeutic arts
If you are interested in facilitating or providing a one-on-one service like massage & accupuncture, please contact us at
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
Early Bird
opens Feb 15, 2026
$1195
8 spots available at this rate
Save $200
(Full Price $1395)
WHAT WOMEN ARE SAYING
Sarah says
She's Wild, a women's group that meets outdoors monthly, is a fantastic way to meet women who appreciate meaningful connections with nature and each other. Great conversation, forest time, meditation, and play. Renee is a vibrant and passionate leader with an abundance of outdoor knowledge and a natural talent for bringing people together. I've come home from each session with a much desired sense of calm and connection.
ARE YOU READY TO ESCAPE?
