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SUMMER RETREAT
FOR FAMILIES & EVERYONE ELSE
22-29 July 2024
Alta Garrotxa, Spain
With SUMMER IN THE VALLEY we invite families, couples and individuals alike, to join us in a deeply nourishing summer experience. Our time together will water the seeds of understanding, nature connection, inspiration and joy in us. The idea is to let our days unfold playfully, and unforced in the valleys magical embrace.
Summer in the Valley is based at the Easy Day Center in the heart of the Sant Aniol valley nature park, 1 hour north of Girona, Spain.
The Sant Aniol Valley invites us to play and adventure, to sunbathe and swim. It’s silence, beauty and harmony is contagious. It draws you in and reminds you of your own true nature. It is a powerful being and a great teacher.
Come, explore, laugh and listen!
The Easy Day Center is designed to beautifully host groups of up to 50 people. People often share how they feel a sense of being at home here. The house is literally a stone-throw away from the river with it’s crystal clear rock pools.
We will enjoy a super-tasty, rich and healthy vegetarian kitchen.
You can choose your preferred accommodation option: bring your own tent, rent a tent, treat yourself to a glamping experience or book an apartment (limited spaces).
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACCOMMODATION
You will be choosing from a variety of activities, for young and old, creating a flow that suits your needs. We will be weaving together play, adventure sports, arts with moments stillness, and relaxation.
We will also enjoy moments to explore and share with each other in community through creative expression, music and in conversation.
You will leave recharged, inspired and with new insights and perspectives. Come and receive the Valley’s gifts.
DIAGRAM: The facilitated process can be described as a weaving together of nature and adventure activities with art and play, sharing in community and contemplative sessions. You will choose if, how much and where you wish to participate – and of course there is plenty of free-time for the fun and magic in-between to emerge spontaneously. The valleys great natural beauty will hold and support us gracefully.
Children from 4 to 12 years of age can participate every day in art & play sessions. They will be painting, exploring the river, making pottery, singing songs and other activities, beautifully lead by our facilitators.
Children from the age of 9+ can already participate in many of the activities offered in the regular programme. From outdoor activities such as a water trekking or a climbing trail, movement, music and other activities. We’ll enjoy fun yoga sessions for everyone, conscious body movement and dance sessions. Activities will nourish us individually and as a family.
And, of course there’s lots of magic in all the free time, from playing table tennis to hanging out at the river with new friends.
If enough teenagers are participating we will form a special ‘teens group’ catering for their needs of autonomy, fun and exploration.
Friday is ‘lazy day’, totally free of facilitated activities.
An important aim of the Summer in the Valley Retreat is to nurture a down-to-earth spirituality. In subtle ways we do this through all that is offered. We also invite you to contemplative practices such as guided meditations in the mornings or deep relaxation sessions.
These aim to bring our attention back to the natural sense of being within ourselves. Through direct experience and understanding we can confirm that this is what we are essentially. The fragrance of being is peace, a sense of presence and a stable sense of satisfaction.
Our personal identity on the other hand, it’s psychological conditioning and roles are part of our changeful aspect. The practices of listening deeply and kind loving speech, experiences in nature, good healthy food, play, movement and dance, reconciliation practices, … are all here to help us learn to live skilfully.
| 8.00-8.45 | Dynamic Wake Up in the Dome Alternative option: Silent Walk and Guided Meditation |
| 8.00 – 10.00 | Breakfast Buffet |
| 10.30 | Morning Check-In & Introduction to days Activity Options |
| 11.00 – 14.00 | Morning Activities:
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| 14.00 -15.00 | Lunch Buffet |
| 15.00 – 18.00 | Siesta / Free time |
| 18.00 – 19.30 | Evening Activities
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| 20.00 | Dinner followed by music or optional guided silent meditation |
| 23.00 | Noble Silence* |
* Noble Silence is a practice to asks participants to observe silence from 23.00 onwards, to find rest, conserve our energy, to digest the days experiences and to enjoy nature at night.
** Friday is ‘Lazy Day’ entirely free of facilitated activities.
As qualified guide and group facilitator I draw on over 25 years of experience and have safely led thousands of people through transformative learning adventures. I am passionate about creating atmospheres and spaces in which people feel at ease, at home and inspired to explore what truly matters to their hearts.
These days I feel most satisfied in my work, if the facilitated process can help participants to become inwardly silent, empty and open. It is here, that we really begin to feel, understand and appreciate the completeness and contentment of our natural state of being. I feel that the significance of this experience cannot be overestimated as it reaches into all aspects of our life. During Summer in the Valley I will guide a silent walk and meditation each morning, as well as some outdoor adventure activities.
I am founder and director of Easy Day and live with my family in our beloved Sant Aniol valley in Catalunya, Spain.
Emanuela Deyanova (44) is a remarkable figure in the world of relationships and personal growth. As a relationship therapist and psychotherapist, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of love and relationships. Emanuela is not only a practitioner but also an accomplished author, best known for her bestselling book, “Never Ending Love,” which has touched the hearts of countless readers.
Emanuela’s expertise in matters of the heart extends beyond the written word. She is an internationally recognized speaker on love and relationships, with a significant presence on platforms such as Mindvalley. Her insightful and compassionate teachings have resonated with audiences worldwide, making her a sought-after authority in the field.
Furthermore, Emanuela is the visionary founder and owner of “The School of Love,” a platform dedicated to nurturing the emotional and relational well-being of individuals and couples. Through her school, she continues to empower people to build deeper, more meaningful connections with themselves and others.
David de Kock (47) is a multi-talented individual known for his diverse roles in the world of personal development and spirituality. As the co-founder and author of the “365 Days method,” he has empowered ten thousands of individuals on their journey to inner peace and happiness for more than a decade. David is not only a writer and coach but also a meditation teacher, guiding people toward inner peace and self-discovery. Additionally, he serves as a dedicated teacher of “A Course in Miracles,” sharing profound wisdom and insights with those seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment.
In addition to his teaching and coaching, David is a prolific author, having written several books on personal growth, relationships, and non-duality. His written works serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for individuals looking to transform their lives and deepen their understanding of these important topics. With his passion for personal and spiritual development, David de Kock continues to inspire and transform lives worldwide.
“ And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. “
Roald Dahl
* 10% Early bird discount until 31st January
Promotion code: cachingtheworm
** 20% Early Bird + Large Family discount – promotion code: allofus
Until 31st January 2024 for families of 5 or more people
*** If you really can’t afford your ticket, please speak with us, perhaps there is money in our bursary fund, or we find another way.
Start of the Retreat:
Monday 22nd July by 15.00 h at the house. At 15.00 we will do an orientation tour to show you around, followed by time to settle in and arrive. Important: The midday meal on Monday 14th is not included in the programme so we ask everyone to arrive after lunch or to bring food for that day. Dinner will be our first meal together.
End of the Retreat:
Monday 29th July at 12.00h.
Luggage Pick-up Service:
If you come by car and park in Sadernes (Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ENrz3bvno1M2umig8), we offer a luggage pick-up service at the Sadernes car park on Monday 22nd at 13h and at 14h. And the same service will be offered for the end of the programme on the 29th at 12.00 noon, with the transfer of luggage from home to the car park.
Online registration for the programme:
Please note that we ask all programme participants, including children, to be registered for the Summer in the Valley programme before coming, so that we have all the information we need.
https://www.easy-day.com/registration.
How to get there:
If you come by car, you can drive until the public car park in Sadernes (Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ENrz3bvno1M2umig8). From here you have to walk 3 km (approx 30 minutes) to the Easy Day • Masía Pont Valentí .
By bus: : www.teias-bus.com from Barcelona. It takes you in 2 hours to the roundabout at Montagut. We offer a pick-up service at the bus stop, with a cost of 16€/person round trip.
By train you best come to Girona train station. We offer pick-up service for 50€/person round trip.
By plane. If you arrive in BCN by plane you can reach us by rental car, or by bus to Montagut or train to Girona.
Be sure to let us know in advance if you need us to pick you up at any of these points – write to us on WHATSAPP 660 09 23 23 43 to do so! Thank you.
Meeting point: We will meet at 16:15 h in the public car park of Sadernes on Tuesday 1st of October 2024.
Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ENrz3bvno1M2umig8
After leaving our luggage in a transfer vehicle that will take our things to where we will be staying, we will start walking into the valley on foot (3 km). Along the way we will start the programme together.
Accommodation: You can bring your own tent or choose one of the above accommodation options from camping to glamping. If you rent a camping tent for 1-4 people the tents come with a mattresses. You need to bring your own bedding, sleeping bag, cushion. Glamping tents are fully equipped with clean bedding.
The campsite has ecological dry toilets and showers with hot water for shared use. There is no electricity nor electric lights on the campsite, so bring your flashlight or head lamp.
Food: Provided by the organisation based on fresh, organic, vegetarian and local food whenever possible. We ask you to abstain from meat while at the house, for animal welfare.
Digital disconnection: There is no mobile phone or wifi coverage in and around the house in the nature park. So come prepared and communicate with the people you need before you arrive. We have wifi and the phone for emergencies only: the contact number for WhatsApp is +34 660 09 23 23 43.
Noble Silence: Every night we will ask participants to observe silence from 23.00 onwards. It is an ancient practice that helps us to rest, to conserve our energy, to digest the experiences of the day and to enjoy nature at night.
Language of the programme: Spanish and English.
Safety: During your stay, we would like to ask you to take good care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. Our educational methodology thrives on adventure and nature experiences, including time for yourself. Feelings of discomfort, inner resistances, doubts or harsh judgements are phenomena that can appear in transformative learning processes. They are not a bad sign, but something to be expected. In no way do we intend to create extreme situations or strong emotional states, but the aim is to co-create a caring atmosphere based on trust, openness and authenticity. If you have any doubts or questions regarding any aspect of your safety or well-being, please do not hesitate to talk to us.
Sometimes we will be moving off the beaten track, climbing, swimming, perhaps abseiling. These are activities that require a general physical fitness but no previous experience. Although the risk levels in these outdoor activities are very low, as we manage safety rigorously, it is important to recognise that we are not exempt from potential accidents.
We employ a comprehensive risk management and safety policy and are covered by professional indemnity insurance. We are backed by safely guiding and facilitating transformative learning adventures with thousands of participants since 25 years.
Items to bring:
– 2 pairs of trainers or trekking shoes (one of which will get wet!)
– Sandals, Crocs etc ( comfortable shoes) to wear around the Centre
– Swim wear
– Towel
– Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
– Several layers of clothing for both warmth and rainy or cold weather conditions.
– A good waterproof jacket (it can rain here even in summer)
- Head torch, a head torch is better than a normal torch, make sure the batteries are charged.
– A fitted sheet (mattress cover) if you rent a camping tent
- Sleeping bag (around 15 degrees Celsius at night)
- carrier mat or thermarest if you bring your own tent
– Small waterproof tent, for camping
- Pillow
- Washbag and towel.
– Reusable water bottle 1.5 litres
- Small day backpack (10-25l)
- Personal medication, if necessary
– Notebook
Optional extras
:
– Camera
- Books if you like to read
- Musical instrument – if you have one and can carry it easily.
Thank you!
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