WELCOME TO CAMP CHICKADEE

Nestled in a little town in northern Indiana, you’ll find a magical place called Three Bird Layne. It’s a shop + studio filled with art and crafty things and books and gifts and inspiration. For a few days this June, it will be turned into Camp Chickadee - a dream come true that friends Kelly Barton and Liz Lamoreux have had for years.

At Camp Chickadee, days are filled with making, writing, storytelling, photo walks, getting messy with paint and glue and paper, and nurturing our bodies with colorful food.

If you walk around, you'll notice people gathered in circles creating handmade goods and telling stories, campers pausing to take self-portraits, laughter bubbling out of the Art Studio, and bowls of blueberries and raspberries just waiting for you on a table near a stack of vintage quilts.

There’s time to wander, explore the special town of Culver, Indiana, walk along Lake Maxinkuckee, head for a treat at the Root Beer Stand, or stop by our local coffee shop. There will be free time to enjoy the Saturday Farmer’s Market along the lake, attend a local yoga class, or just take a nap if you need one. We can’t wait to see you at camp! Read on for more details.

From June 18 - 22, we will gather in Culver, Indiana in Liz’s new retreat/shop space Three Bird Layne and play and make and connect. Our time together will begin with an opening reception and ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, June 18 and continue through a closing brunch on Sunday, June 22. During our time together we will play with art supplies, write a poem or two, take time to be still and notice the world within and around us, share stories, and so many other good things. There will be 15 spots at this retreat.

Some of you may remember when Kelly and I hosted an online version of Camp Chickadee via our Chickadee Road collaboration years ago. Inspired by that virtual camp + past Be Present Retreats we taught at together + other Chickadee Road adventures, we are so excited to circle with you in person again this summer.

RETREAT DATES: June 18 - 22, 2024

COST: $1400

YOUR RETREAT TUITION INCLUDES:

• A heart-opening experience that begins with a welcome dinner and opening ceremony on Wednesday evening and ends with a closing ceremony Saturday + good-bye breakfast Sunday morning.

• Three full days (+ one evening + one morning) of group gatherings/workshops led by Kelly and Liz.

• A special Camp Chickadee kit of art supplies, camper necessities, and treats and surprises. You will want some room in your suitcase to take these goodies home with you.

• All the supplies you need for camp. (We will include an optional supplies list for those of you who already have some favorite art supplies.)

• Meals* and snacks that will nourish you throughout the retreat.

• Time in community to explore mindful ways to be more present in your daily life + the chance to share pieces of your story.

• Space away from your day-to-day roles where you can just show up as you, and the opportunity to connect with kindred spirits who might just become life-long friends.

• A chance to practice creative + mindful self-care so you can begin to truly implement your own self-care practices when you go home.

• Snacks, hot tea/coffee, water + fizzy water provided daily.

• A peek at Liz’s world here in Culver and some ideas from Liz and Kelly on how to invite creativity into daily life.

Please note:

Travel to and from the airport or other locations is on your own. Culver is a very walkable town. Lodging is in addition to the camp tuition. More information below.

Also, this is a camp for adults. You’ll learn fun things to take home to the kids in your life, but this is an adults-only environment.

*Meals will include 3 continental breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and an opening reception of charcuterie board goodness with snacks always available.

Location:

Culver is in northern Indiana, about 40 minutes from South Bend. It is one of my favorite places in the world, and I can’t wait to show you everything. It rests on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee and is named after the founder of the boarding school in town. (Culver Academies is the school I went to for high school and where my husband teaches.) We are a small but mighty town. We may not have a stop light, but we do have delicious food, good coffee, awesome shops, and friendly people.

The nearest airports are South Bend, Indianapolis, and Chicago. This is a very small town, so renting a car or carpooling with other participants is suggested (we will help people connect to make this happen).

Lodging options:

A note from Liz: We are excited to offer a handful of lodging options in walking distance to Three Bird Layne. These will vary from private apartments above the shops on Main Street to a shared condo right along the lake. How many spots we have (currently around 7-10) depends on who signs up and the configuration of beds we need (for example, two friends might want to share a private room with queen bed, while someone else might want a private room alone). I am happy to email you more information about these lodging options, and we will be in touch about them when you sign up. This cost will be in addition to Camp Chickadee tuition and will begin around $500-$800 per person for four nights.

If these spots all fill and there is enough interest, I will help facilitate an additional rental or two for our group. Meaning, if several attendees (whether they know each other or not) are interested in renting a house together, we can help you make that happen.

Other options:

• Culver Cottage B&B

• Inn by the Lake

• Several VRBO and AirBnB listings walking and driving distance to Main Street. You will want to search in Culver, Indiana.

• Plymouth, Indiana is the nearest larger town and does have hotel options. It is a 15-20 min drive.

From Liz: Over the years, I’ve learned that the following two lists help answer questions some people have + questions you might not realize you have.

This retreat is for you if:

• You're longing for some time with others who are drawn to this kind of experience.

• You’ve been longing to play in a journal or start/continue an art journal practice, and you want to learn some tips and get inspired.

• You want to be with people as you turn inward to nourish your creative soul.

• You enjoy writing, making, tapping into the creative soul inside you (or you've been longing to).

• You miss summer camp or wished you’d experienced it as a kid. While we are not really at a camp during our time together, we will be reaching toward that nostalgia through our activities, snacks, and group gatherings.

• You want to breathe deeply, laugh widely, and open your heart to the magic that arrives in a circle of kindreds.

This retreat is probably not for you if:

• You're looking for a spa-like or solitary experience. This retreat includes a lot of time in community in shared spaces. However, INTROVERTS - we've got you! There will be time to rest and recharge away from the group.

• It will be hard to be away from Door Dash or other big city comforts. Culver is a small town and while we have a local grocery store, it is not open all night.

• You're experiencing something in your personal life that needs more support than can be given in this environment. Liz and Kelly are not a certified therapists. While the activities we will do might feel therapeutic, they are not in place of therapy or other professional support. Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about this.

• You're hoping for a business retreat about how to run a retreat, online business, or opening up your own shop. Liz will be available for some conversation on these topics, but they will not be covered in our group experiences or workshops.