fbpx
Menu Close

Whidbey Adventure Retreat

Whidbey Island, WA
Cost: $2500
August 3-7th, 2022

We have combined physical movement with inward movement, from hiking along the coastline, exploring the forests, to yoga, art, and meditation. Plus, we will enjoy cooking classes, inspirational lectures, and more for our afternoon activities.

One of our hikes will take us to ebeys’s bluff hike, where the rocky cliffs and swirling water allows the passage of salmon, sealions, and whales. We might even get the chance to swim in a beautiful lake, giving us a moment to reflect, slow down, and enjoy the magnificent gifts of nature.

We will also enjoy daily yoga, meditation, massage, cooking school, kayaking, crab or salmon bakes, and a philanthropic project. This retreat is as much an adventure for your body as it is your soul, and both will be at their best during our five inspired days together. Join us on this well-deserved reward for your senses and we will send you home revitalized with a new zest for life.

Highlights:

  • Staying at the historic Aldermarsh Retreat Center
  • Daily morning yoga practice in the Marsh House
  • Optional cycling to the beach and along winding roads
  •  Kayaking and SUP followed by cook out on the beach at Kaarina’s house
  • 1 full day of hiking Deception Pass, along with many other amazing hikes
  • Local produce and meats at the farm-to-table restaurant
  • Sunset whale watching tour with Beach dinner
  • Boutique shopping in the quaint island villages of Langley and Coupeville
  • Amazing sculpture garden 
  • Half day of giving back – Whidbey Island Nourishes 
  • Farm to table cooking school
  • Immersion into nature and the opportunity to re-sync with her natural rhythms
  • Expert health, wellness, and training tips from the pros on staff
  • Lots of laughter, friendship, and adventure

Included in the Price: 

  • Four nights, five full days accommodations at the Aldermarsh Retreat Center
  • Guided kayaking, SUPing or swimming 
  • Optional bike tour – price TBA
  • Guided hiking tours
  • Sunset whale watching tour
  • Delicious, healthy breakfast and dinners
  • Professional guidance for all activities

Not Included in the Price:

  • Shuttle to and from the airport – Use Whidbey Island Shuttle
  • Two lunches and one dinner
  • Bike Rental 
  • Tips for guides (Kaarina, Jodi and Ja)

We can organize single rooms for the retreat. They are $800 so email: mail@jacquelinestanford.com 

What are the accommodations?

We will be staying at the serene Aldermarsh Retreat Center. Aldermarsh is situated on the edge of a beautiful marshland in the Maxwelton Valley at the south end of Whidbey Island. The wooded 5 acre facility is a human-created space integrated within its natural setting where community, collaboration and sustainability thrive.

You can see the site map and accommodations here – www.aldermarsh.net/new-page-1

The Main House is a beautiful space bordered by gardens and framed by bamboo groves and a small pond . A Japanese soaking tub can be enjoyed after an active day. All the rooms are unique ( as their name implies – the Queen’s Room,  the moon room, the spirit house, the owl house for example) and they all have a view of the marsh, bamboo grove or the forest.  There is also an incredible yoga studio – a sacred gathering space that opens out into a beautiful meadow.  

Single rooms are available at an additional cost of $800 for the week.

What will the food be like?
Our meals will consist of delicious, fresh, organic food. Most meals will be cooked by our own chef or we will enjoy great farm to table dinners and lunches. We are able to provide for any allergies, food sensitivities, or diet preferences with prior notice.

Women’s Quest will include all breakfasts and dinners, except for two lunches and one dinner that will be on your own to give you a chance to try some of the amazing food and restaurants on the island.

Am I in good enough shape for this retreat?
Most likely! We adapt to all levels of fitness. If necessary, we will break into hiking and biking groups so that we can accommodate just about any skill and fitness level. We teach you practical skills for biking – useful for both beginners and experienced riders. We have a variety of route options for hiking and biking. The best thing is that now there are E-Bikes, so everyone is a champion! Groups are formed according to each woman’s level of fitness, experience, and desire to challenge herself. We do suggest that you start a training or workout program before you come so that you can get the most out of the retreat. Your training does not need to be a hard-core program…just get out, play, and be active several days a week.

What weather can I expect?

Early August is the PERFECT time to visit the Pacific Northwest. Sunshine, blackberries, cool breezes off the water and perfect riding temperature. Average temperatures for this time of year is just about 75 degrees. Mornings can be a little brisk so it is best to have a light jacket to wear at the beginning of rides and also something to snuggle into in the evenings. But just in case – bring a WATERPROOF rain jacket.

Do I need to be an athlete to attend this retreat?
No. We consider everyone an athlete, and we welcome all ability levels. A variety of options are available for our walks and runs depending on each person’s comfort level. If you can, we suggest you start a training or workout program at least a few months before you come so you can get the most out of the weekend. It does not need to be a hard-core program, just get out, play and be active a few days a week. If you just can’t find the time, don’t worry, there will always be others in the same situation and the supportive staff will help you along.

What is the average age on this retreat?
We have a wide range of people who attend our retreats, from 15-78 years young. Each retreat will vary. Please contact us if you have questions about the ages on a specific retreat.

What if I come alone?
The majority who attend our retreats come by themselves. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!

Payment Policy
A deposit is required to hold your reservation at a retreat. Deposits are $500 for domestic and $1,000 for international retreats. Additional deposits may be required to reserve a single room. All deposits are non-refundable.

We cannot hold your reservation until we have received your deposit. If you would like to reserve an available spot in a retreat 90 or fewer days prior to the retreat date, we require payment in full for the retreat to hold the spot. This is in accordance with our payment policy below.

Payment in full for all retreats is due 90 days prior to the retreat date. If you do not provide payment in full by 90 days prior to the retreat you risk losing your reservation.

A 4% payment processing fee will be added to all payments made using PayPal, Stripe or Venmo. 

You are welcome to send in a check or pay by Zelle to avoid this fee.

Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel a reservation, a full refund, less your deposit which is non-refundable, will be provided for any cancellation we receive in writing at least 91 days prior to the commencement date of the retreat. We are sorry but we cannot refund any payments for cancellations made 90 or fewer days prior to the commencement of the retreat.

We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest. Women’s Quest IS NOT responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in schedules or tour cancellations.

Covid-19 Policy
Cancellations by Women’s Quest: Women’s Quest reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel or reschedule any retreat due to concerns over Covid-19. As a small company Women’s Quest is unfortunately not able to provide refunds of payments for retreats cancelled by Women’s Quest due to the Covid pandemic. This is primarily due to our financial commitments with the various retreat venues. As a result, in the event Women’s Quest cancels or reschedules a retreat due to Covid-19 Women’s Quest will apply all payments to the rescheduled or following year’s retreat, or to any other Women’s Quest retreat of your choosing through the end of the next year after the year in which the retreat was cancelled by Women’s Quest.  Because of the unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances of the outbreak, this policy supersedes earlier policies.

Cancellations by You: If you need or desire to cancel your reservation due to Covid-19, or failure to comply with the requirements of a negative test and being symptom free, this cancellation is subject to the Cancellation Policy above.  This is why we urge everyone to purchase travel insurance when signing up. 

Covid Waiver and Release
This waiver, release and acknowledgement of responsibilities is unfortunately necessary during this unique time of the Covid 19 pandemic. By signing up for and or attending any Women’s Quest retreat you agree to be bound by the terms of this document. We understand these times are challenging, however, these provisions are necessary to protect all attendees and staff members of Women’s Quest.

Testing For and Symptoms of Covid 19.  Irrespective of vaccination status you are required to provide a negative test for Covid 19 taken within 3 days of the commencement of the retreat. This test can be either a PCR test or a home antigen test. Also, irrespective of your vaccination status, you agree you will not attend the retreat if you have any symptoms of Covid 19 immediately prior to the beginning of the trip. These symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea (these, along with symptoms outline in the following link and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control shall be collectively referred to as the “Symptoms”.) More information on symptoms of Covid 19 can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Symptoms During the Retreat. In the event you develop any Symptoms during the retreat you must immediately leave the retreat and follow protocols outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and all local regulations. We understand this may result in you incurring significant expenses associated with separate accommodation and travel, however, you understand these expenses are not the responsibility of Women’s Quest and must be incurred by you. You agree to be fully honest with Women’s Quest staff in regard to any Symptoms you may develop and agree to comply with a request by Women’s Quest staff to depart as determined by Women’s Quest staff in their sole discretion. As provided below, this is why we strongly urge everyone to get travel insurance covering these and other expenses prior to departure.

Procedures During the Retreat. During the retreat Women’s Quest may, but need not, endeavor to practice social distancing and wearing of masks when traveling in close proximity. You agree to comply with all requests of Women’s Quest staff during the retreat related to these procedures. Any such procedures implemented by Women’s Quest are not a guaranty you will not be exposed to Covid 19 and you understand you are responsible for taking any precautions you deem necessary and providing your own personal protective equipment during the retreat. You also agree to comply with any reasonable requests by other attendees to respect their social distancing and other protective measures (“Participant Requests”.) Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are responsible to comply with all laws and regulations of the locality visited relating to protections against Covid 19.

Waiver of Coronavirus Related Illness; Indemnification. You understand that irrespective of protective measures that Women’s Quest or you may or may not take, you may be exposed to Covid 19 by another retreat attendee, a Women’s Quest staff member and or an individual to whom you may be exposed during, or traveling to or from the retreat. You agree to waive and release Women’s Quest, its officers, directors, staff, employees, contractors, and partners from any claims, liabilities or damages you may incur in the event you contract Covid 19 at any time during travel to, attending or after attending the retreat. You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Women’s Quest, its officers, directors, staff, employees, contractors, and partners from any loss, liability or damages it or they may incur as a result of your failure to receive a negative test for Covid 19 prior to the retreat as provided above, attending the retreat with any Symptoms, not respecting Participant Requests, and not immediately departing the retreat if you develop any Symptoms.

Cancellation. In the unfortunate event you need to cancel your trip, cannot attend due to contracting Covid 19 or developing Symptoms prior to the retreat, or must leave the retreat due to contracting Covid 19 or developing Symptoms, Women’s Quest cannot provide any refund of any amounts you paid.

Travel Insurance. As provided in this document you could incur significant personal expense in the event you contract Covid 19 or develop any Symptoms during the retreat. As such, you are strongly urged to obtain travel insurance that provides adequate protections against these risks.

Additional Waiver. This waiver is incorporated into and made a part of other waivers you agreed to in connection with signing up for the retreat. In the event of a conflict between these terms and the terms of any other waiver, this waiver shall govern.

Purchasing Travel Insurance
We highly, highly recommend you get travel insurance to cover your expenses and losses in the event you test positive or come down with Symptoms prior to the retreat, develop Symptoms during the retreat, or cannot return home due to Covid related issues.  We recommend getting insurance that covers the cost of your trip, medical care while at the retreat, and coverage to pay for the necessary quarantine period if you test positive or come down with Covid.  Please remember, if you have to cancel your trip in the unfortunate event you come down with Covid, test positive, or suffer Symptoms prior to or during the retreat and need to leave, Women’s Quest cannot provide a refund since we have to pay your trip expenses well ahead of time.

If you are concerned about travel and the changing environment in which we are living irrespective of your Covid status, we recommend getting travel insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason. This coverage is more expensive, however, may provide you with the coverage and flexibility you desire.

We spoke with Allianz Travel Insurance about travel insurance primarily for Covid issues – trip cancellation, medical treatment and delay in coming home due to catching Covid. From our understanding, Allianz does offer policies providing for trip cancellation due to Covid and extended trip interruption coverage for Covid quarantine periods, however, you should talk to them via the phone to ensure you have the coverage you need. Irrespective of the travel insurance you get, please make sure you talk to a travel insurance agent prior to buying any insurance and make sure you have the coverage you desire and that the policy will cover trip cancellation, medical expenses and trip interruption due to Covid. We are providing this only as our understanding after talking to Allianz and not as a representation of what Allianz will cover.  You should do your own investigation including directly calling Allianz or any insurance provider you choose, and not rely on this overview to ensure you get the coverage that is right for you.