The Great Escape
Shift’s Summer Camp for Women
July 24th - 27th, 2025
Reconnect. Recharge. Rediscover yourself in the heart of nature.
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.
Embrace the Wild
Imagine yourself here...
You arrive at The Great Escape, nervous but excited. As you step into the rustic beauty of Powell Lake, a wave of calm washes over you. The sun filters through the trees, and you spot a group of women laughing as they unload their gear. It’s been a long time since you’ve felt this free—away from responsibilities, surrounded by a sisterhood waiting to form.
The first night is a blend of warmth and wonder. You sit by the campfire under a blanket of stars, sharing stories with women who, like you, are ready to rediscover parts of themselves that daily life has tucked away. You listen, laugh, and feel a spark of connection as the fire crackles.
The next morning, you wake up early, not to an alarm, but to the gentle sounds of nature. You feel the lake calling, and before you know it, you’re stepping into its cool, invigorating embrace. The polar bear swim wasn’t something you ever thought you’d try—but here, it feels like a perfect way to start the day.​​​.
The rhythm of the retreat sweeps you up. You find yourself trying things you haven’t done in years—or ever. Canoeing on the glassy water, you laugh at your clumsy paddling, but you feel strong and alive. Later, you dive into a creative workshop, hands deep in art supplies, your imagination flowing like it did when you were a kid.
By the time the sun sets, you’ve danced under the stars, feeling every beat of the music as you let go of self-consciousness. You’ve forged bonds with women who once were strangers but now feel like lifelong friends.​​
You’re exactly where you’re meant to be: immersed in nature, unapologetically playful, and fully connected to yourself and others. This isn’t just a retreat; it’s a rediscovery of joy, strength, and the beauty of being wild at heart.
What to Expect
Polar Bear Swims: Start your mornings with a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters.
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Yoga & Meditation: Ground yourself with daily mindfulness practices.
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Ecstatic Dance: Move freely and joyfully under the stars during our guided dance session.
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Adventure Race: Test your skills and teamwork in a fun, lighthearted outdoor challenge.
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Creative Workshops: Explore your imagination through photography and art activities inspired by the natural world.
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Campfire Evenings: Reflect, laugh, and connect with like-minded women around the fire.
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Diverse workshops/ activities: Explore local area, learn new outdoor skills, and find some quiet time to go inwards.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Meet Your Facilitators
Renee Baron
Founder & Lead Facilitator
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.
Elizabeth Grady
Registered Massage Therapist
Elizabeth is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) with over a decade of experience, having earned her certification in 2013. Specializing in holistic wellness, Elizabeth is trained in Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Jin Shin Do acupressure, and myofascial release. She brings a client-centered approach to her practice, believing that the stories of our lives are held in our tissues and often manifest as physical pain, discomfort, or dis-ease. Her work focuses on creating a safe and supportive space where clients can release old patterns, fostering healing and self-discovery.
Lyndsey Nabata
Facilitator & Naturopathic Doc
Lyndsey is a Naturopathic Doctor specializing in women’s health, burnout recovery, and digestive wellness. With a focus on empowering women, she integrates the healing power of nature, active living, and compassionate care into her practice, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. During The Great Escape, Dr. Nabata will lead a specialized workshop designed to explore key elements of women’s health, offering tools and insights to help participants embrace balance and vitality.
Ally Greer
CrossFit coach
Ally is a Level 2 CrossFit coach and a proud graduate of the Fitness & Lifestyle Management program. When she’s not cheering on her clients or perfecting their form, you’ll find her out exploring the great outdoors with her trusty sidekicks—her dogs! With a passion for functional fitness, Ally is all about helping people build strong bodies and minds that can handle anything life throws their way. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned athlete, or somewhere in between, Ally’s got you covered with energizing training and classes for youth, adults, and seniors alike.
Jenn Dykstra
Professional Photographer
Jenn is an accomplished photographer and graduate of the Western Academy of Photography (Victoria, BC). She views life as a series of memorable moments and creatively and professionally captures those moments for her valued clients. Jenn’s philosophy is to beautifully compose her images and provide her clients with both the expected and unexpected. In turn, she thrills and inspires her clients and other photographers by showcasing people, places and relationships in a stunning way and precisely for who they are. Jenn finds sanctuary adventuring in the great outdoors. The Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains are her favourite playgrounds and she is also inspired by locations further afield. With her passport stamped on every page, she loves to travel and appreciates culture and diversity. Her life, relationships and work are all shaped by making the most out of life.
River (Helen Pattinson)
Dance & Somatic Yoga Facilitator & Shamanic Guide.
River is a Dance and Somatic Yoga Facilitator and Shamanic Guide. She fell in love with classical ballet at 5 years old, studying for 10 years in London, UK. Rock climbing in her early twenties opened up a new kind of 'dancing on rock, weaving together her love for movement and Nature. River became a Certified Dancing Freedom Facilitator in 2012 and has been guiding deep soul-dive dance journeys and rituals on Vancouver Island for over a decade. She has been immersed in shamanic ritual and practices for 20 years, participating in Vision Quests on Vancouver Island, Arizona and Wales, UK. ​River holds a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art and a Masters Degree in Arts & Ecology, and one of her favourite things is drawing with a stick of charcoal. Born and raised in the UK, she fell in love with the wildness of West coast BC and followed her dream to make Vancouver Island her home. She loves meandering barefoot through the forest with her pup, and swimming underwater in the river by her house.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
EARLY-EARLY BIRD
AVAILABLE NOW
EARLY-EARLY BIRD @$797 + GST
Only 8 spots at this price. Closes Feb 15th.
EARLY BIRD @ $947 + GST
Closes April 15th.
REGULAR @ $1197 + GST
Closes June 25th.
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.
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ARE YOU READY TO ESCAPE?
