What We Offer

The Refuge has its own activities, and is also available for use by appropriate external organisations. Preference is given to charitable groups, faith groups, people working with those in serious need, groups working with families. Priority is given to women, children and men who are in financial or other difficulty. Special rates for groups which serve the needy.

Hospitality Weekends

During the first full weekend of every month, individuals, couples or small groups are welcome to spend the weekend with us. We ask $100 per person (negotiable), and will ask you to share in the work and life of the Refuge; you may choose whether to spend free time alone or with others. Participation is by referral for those who have not yet been at the Refuge.

Retreats

See our calendar (under the "Events" menu) for upcoming retreats.

A retreat is a time set aside from regular life to "come away and rest awhile." Tuition varies with the retreat; subsidies are available.

Retreats are open to people from all walks of life; no one is excluded because of gender, economics, religion. We have worked with city after-school programs, church groups, single mothers, adults with developmental disabilities, and art therapy groups, among others. Emphasis is on welcoming those who come from a socially disadvantaged position, and for whom this kind of opportunity has mostly been denied.

The goal is to bring people to a deeper sense of connection with themselves and the environment, and possibly healing. For city people, it means time with nature, silence and simplicity. For rural people, it provides a resource for people who are isolated, and may not have access to social services. We provide a place for people to gather and to have for their difficulties a larger community of support, with a circle of care that may be harder to get for some.

Family Time

Families may wish to spend time at the Refuge, on their own or with other families. The opportunity to be in a beautiful, quiet place, away from regular activities and distractions, can bring rejuvenation and healing. If you have never been at the Refuge before, we ask for a personal reference. Subsidies are available.

From David Ellis:

"We’ve been given the wonderful opportunity to spend eight days at St Mary of Egypt Refuge. This was a blessing we needed to be just with one another. My wife, Rezna, and our six children needed time away from work, the city, the internet and TV, and even from friends for a short while. Here we can re-acquaint ourselves with a lot of nature both as a family and in quiet times alone or to take time with a son or daughter or sibling that we may not have had much time to be with because of the business of our lives, at campfires, fishing, swimming, cycling, walking and catching frogs. I have had a chance to fillet a small bass that didn’t survive the hook and to hang my first door (on the hermitage). The chapel provided an atmosphere to pray the rosary and the rapids a contemplative place to pray. WE are very grateful to what the Refuge could offer us in this young year of our family."

From Joe Ellis, 13:

"This is what I imagine my future home to be."

Youth Camps

Kids quickly find many things to love at the Refuge. Lying under the stars tracing constellations; chasing frogs and chipmunks; fishing or playing in the river; exploring the woods; learning to cook and care for one another; discovering more about themselves. All these and more have come from our youth camps. We offer a March break camp and summer camps. Watch for the dates on our "events" page and in our newsletters.

We keep numbers small for the camps, with emphasis on personal interaction and community. Subsidies are available.

Change "Grieving Hearts"

Often in daily life we carry our burden with us as we attend to our duties. Sometimes the grieving heart needs to be attended to as well. A weekend or a few days at the Refuge can be a time to put down the duties so as to allow some healing for the grief--whether from a recent loss, a long-term difficulty, or an unknown cause.

Focused Theme Retreats

• Father/son
• Mother/daughter
• Singles
• Couples
• Families
• Grieving Hearts
• Overcoming Addiction
• Children (girls, boys)
• Youth
• Art Therapy

Family and individual counselling are available.