Upcoming Retreats

Create & Renew

May 15-18, 2025

Maple, WI on Lake Superior

Tap into spring’s renewing energy to inspire personal growth through the healing power of art, nature, and intuition.

Hosted by: Madelyn Steen and Maddie Johnson

Create & Renew

Are you a busy, working woman or nonbinary person in your mid-20s to mid-60s, feeling stuck in a cycle of anxious self-talk and limiting beliefs? Do you crave a deeper connection with yourself, nature, and something greater? If you love art, nature, and are open to exploring your highest self, the Create and Renew retreat is for you. This is your chance to break free from the mental clutter, embrace the renewing energy of spring, and step into your full potential with clarity and confidence. Join us for a transformative weekend that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to grow.

This 3 night retreat will include guided nature experiences on the shores of Lake Superior, creative exploration with process art workshops, intuitive movement, open studio sessions, guided meditation, and so much more.

You do not have to identify as an artist to engage and appreciate the art part of this retreat.

All experience levels welcome.

What’s Included?

• Cozy lakeside accommodations

• Chef-prepared nourishing meals

• Guided nature experiences

• Guided meditation and mindfulness practices

• Art Process Workshop + materials

• Open Studio opportunities

• Intuitive movement

• Reflective writing opportunities

• Aromatherapy

• Sauna and hot tub

• Bonfires and maybe a cold plunge if you’re feeling up for it!

• Great music, great company, connection and fun!

Meet your retreat hosts:

We (Maddie on the right, Madelyn on the left) met years ago while working at an outpatient clinic, and quickly bonded over our love of nature, creativity, and wellness. Since then, we’ve continued to collaborate and consult, always dreaming of hosting a retreat together. Last year, we thought, why not make it happen?

As therapists with diverse training, we’ve designed "Create & Renew" as a safe, inclusive, and open space where women & nonbinary folks can show up just as they are and feel deeply supported. With a focus on cultural sensitivity and therapeutic practices, hosting this retreat isn’t just work for us—it’s our passion, and we’re excited to share it with you!

Check out this video of Maddie and Madelyn discussing all things retreat.

Accommodations

Lake Superior Barn: Maple, WI

This 6 bedroom barn on the shores of Lake Superior and surrounded by the Brule River State Forest will become our home base. This barn has two living rooms, although one will turn into an art studio. We will be able to spread out, enjoy meals but also take space with beautiful outdoor spaces to sit and listen to nature. Right on the water, retreat goers also have the option to join Maddie and Madelyn in a cold plunge if you’re feeling brave enough!

There will be single bed in shared rooms available as well as private rooms (you have the option to share a bed in a private room, if you would like to bring a friend). Please indicate your room preference - room types are on a first come, first serve basis and are not guaranteed. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Pricing

This is an all-inclusive weekend, except for your travel to get to the north shore! That means the pricing includes lodging, chef-prepared meals, workshops, art materials, and all guided experiences. There will be a $500 deposit to reserve your spot. This will go towards your final payment. In the form please indicate what room preference you have. Sign up before December 31st for Early Bird pricing of $100 off!

• 9 spots available - Shared Room - $1200 Early Bird Pricing ($1300 after Dec 31)

• Please email madelynsteen@hushmail.com if you are interested learning about pricing for sharing a private room with a friend

Create & Renew is excited to share about a partial scholarship opportunity made available by private donation for any BIPOC community members interested in joining the retreat. This partial scholarship is available on a first come first serve basis. The privilege that affords some of us to attend or host this retreat was built upon trauma and inequity to BIPOC people and this scholarship is meant to be one small step towards acknowledging the harm.  

The Create & Renew BIPOC partial scholarship for May 2025 is $500 off! 

If you would like to donate to the BIPOC Fund for future retreat scholarships, please click on the DONATE button at the bottom of this page or contact Madelyn Steen at madelynsteen@hushmail.com or Maddie Johnson at maddie@heartspacetherapy.org. We appreciate any and all donations!

Sample Schedule

6:30-7:00am - (for the fiercest) Polar plunge

7:00-8:00am - Gengle yoga flow

8:00-9:00am - Locally sourced breakfast

9:00-12:00pm - Process art workshop

12:00-1:30pm - Chef-prepared lunch

1:30-4:00pm - Guided nature walk

4:00-6:00pm - Free time (open studio, hiking, rest, connect, etc.)

6:00-6:45pm - Aromatherapy and guided meditation

7:00-8:30pm - Chef-prepared dinner

8:30pm onward - Bonfire and connection after dark

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final and non-refundable.*

A non-refundable registration fee of $500 is needed to secure your spot by February 3, 2025. This $500 deposit goes towards the final payment. The full retreat booking fee is due by April 1, 2025 (price varies by room selection). If you register by December 31st, you can receive Early Bird registration pricing.

Should you need to cancel your booking, please contact Madelyn via email madelynsteen@hushmail.com. We regret we cannot pay for any expenses, costs, or losses incurred by you as a result of you canceling your booking. 

We allow guests a 72-hour grace period to cancel after initial booking with a full refund. After the 72-hour grace period, the cancellation policy of no refunds goes into effect.

*If the minimum number of participants for a retreat is not reached by February 3rd, we may have to cancel it. In such circumstances, we will fully refund your retreat booking deposit of $500 and/or the full booking fee.*

We also allow guests to transfer their booking to another person with no transfer fees. If you are unable to attend the retreat and would like to transfer your booking, please contact Madelyn as soon as possible madelynsteen@hushmail.com. Your replacement will need to sign an agreement to take on booking and payment responsibilities. Until they do so, you will be responsible for any fees incurred.  

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule retreats due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (e.g., extreme weather, natural disasters, or venue issues). In such cases:

• If we cancel, participants will have the option to transfer their booking to a future retreat or receive a full refund.

• If we reschedule, participants may transfer to the new date or request a refund if unable to attend.

We partner with third-party providers for accommodations. In the rare event that these providers cannot fulfill their commitments, we will make every effort to secure suitable alternatives. If no alternatives can be found, participants will have the option to move their booking to a future retreat.

We HIGHLY encourage travel insurance! We cannot accept liability if your transportation plans are disrupted or canceled. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate documentation such as visas and passports to travel.