2023 Sacred Surrender: Celebrating Gratitude & Vulnerability

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ―  Melody Beattie, self help author

In the crisp embrace of autumn, as the leaves change their hues and the air carries a hint of transformation, we invite you once more to gather in our radical space. This time, we come together to explore the profound and transformative power of sacred surrender and celebrate the beauty of gratitude and vulnerability, weaving a tapestry of connection and authenticity. 

At the heart of our gathering lies the acknowledgment of gratitude as a transformative force. Gratitude opens our hearts, allowing us to recognize and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. It is a radical act to shift our focus from scarcity and lack to the blessings that grace our lives. Gratitude serves as a pathway to a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the natural world. It encourages us to recognize the interdependence and reciprocity inherent in all things. By embracing gratitude, we honour the countless gifts bestowed upon us by the universe, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and profound appreciation.

In a world that often encourages emotional armour and a facade of strength, vulnerability emerges as an act of courage and authenticity. To be vulnerable is to remove the layers of protection and allow ourselves to be seen, heard, and felt in our rawness. It is an invitation to explore the depths of our emotions and experiences, embracing the fullness of our humanity. Through vulnerability, we forge meaningful relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and shared understanding.

We celebrate the power of sacred surrender where we relinquish our attachment to outcomes, embracing the wisdom of uncertainty and the beauty of the present moment. In surrendering to the divine flow, we open ourselves to transformation, allowing the alchemy of gratitude and vulnerability to weave its magic.

As we gather beneath the vibrant canopy of nature’s artistry, join us on a radical journey of deep introspection, shared wisdom, and communal celebration.


Registration

Please fill out the registration form here.

Registrations will not be completed until both payment and registration form are received. 

The registration fee is $410.00 in Canadian funds. Payments will be made with Square. If you are paying by credit card you will receive an invoice. If you are paying by debit, you will be directed to a volunteer near you who can process your debit card. 

We are not accepting cheques or bank transfers for this gathering. 


Registration Deadline

You can register up until September 30, 2023. If you register after September 23, 2023 you may not get in the directory.


Waiting List

We will keep a first-come, first-served wait list in the event we exceed capacity. If we do have a waitlist, we encourage you to submit a registration application online but do not send in payment until you have been notified by the registrar that a spot has opened up. 


Confirmation

A letter of confirmation will be emailed to registrants with additional details needed to prepare for camp. Confirmations may not be sent out immediately, so please be patient. 


Cancellations 

Cancellations received prior to Wednesday, September 6, 2023 will be partially refunded, less the fees charged by square (These are no longer refunded to our organisation). After that date, the numbers are reported to Evans Lake and we will have to pay for each reserved spot – therefore registration fees may be forfeited for any cancellations received after Sept 6, 2023. If you must cancel after that date, please notify the planning circle immediately so we can find someone on the waitlist to take your spot. 


Faerie Fee Funds 

We have a limited Faerie Fee Fund (FFF). We will subsidise up to half the cost to applicants on a low or fixed income on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to availability). Please request subsidy only if you need it, and request only as much as you need.

We encourage those who have the means to do so to sponsor someone who might be unable to attend for lack of funds. If you are able to donate to our fund, please do so as well. Having said all that, if you are not able to pay, contact us. We will see what we can do. 

Registrations are not complete until paid in full. Ensure that  the registrant portion is paid immediately in order for the requested FFF support to be released. In the event the funds are exhausted, the registrant will be invited to pay the full cost; and if unwilling, their partial fee will be refunded.


Location 

The venue where this magic manifests is the Evans Lake Forest Sanctuary. Located in the Squamish River Valley, on the unceded territory of the Skwxwu7mesh people, Evans Lake is an hour and a half drive from Vancouver, located 15 kilometres north of Squamish, BC. The secluded lake is surrounded by forested hills, overseen by the mammoth peaks of the Coast Range, and glacier-fed rivers. 


Covid Guidelines

We look to the British Columbia Ministry of Health and Evans Lake for current health guidelines, and we are expected to comply with them. Please keep in mind that these guidelines are fluid and can change at a moment’s notice. Some guidelines (or restrictions) we can work with, some we cannot so decisions will be made as best as we can. 

We do ask that we all be mindful and keep our community safe, so please be up to date on your vaccinations and be sure to test for Covid before you arrive.  


Accessibility 

The camp is on a rather hilly terrain that may be a concern for those with mobility issues. We will try and accommodate you as best as we can, and find solutions together. 


Transportation 

Parking is very limited, so carpooling is strongly encouraged. You can let us know on your registration form if you need a ride or if you can offer a ride. We are able to coordinate rides to Faerie Camp and a planning circle member will start arrangements in April. There are also several bus services available to take you from Vancouver to Squamish and we can arrange pick-up there.


Facilities 

Besides a kitchen/dining hall and sleeping cabins, there is a large recreation hall for heart circles, complete with comfy chesterfields and wood burning fireplace. We also have use of a large log cabin as a meditation, bodywork, and quiet space during the day and as the Love Lounge during the evenings. Then, there is the pristine mountain lake itself – ideal for canoeing and swimming. Bathing suits are allowed but not necessary. The lake comes with all amenities, including canoes and paddle boards. The site has a 10km (6 miles) network of hiking trails. We will include additional details in your confirmation letter. 


Accommodations 

There are ten heated, “rustic” cabins, each having 11 single beds and communal washrooms, as well as additional limited sleeping rooms in the Recreation Hall for those with mobility issues (please indicate this on your registration form). Sleeping arrangements are not assigned unless you have made special arrangements for sleeping in the Recreation Hall. You must bring all your own bedding. 

There is space behind the cabins for those inclined to sleep in tents. Space is assigned on a first come, first served basis. October weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for rain and sudden drops in temperature. The registration fee is the same regardless of whether you choose to sleep in a cabin, tent, or vehicle. Due to limited parking space, the use of campers or RVs is discouraged. If you wish to bring one, please discuss it with the planning circle first to ensure space. 


Meals 

There will be three meals per full day (dinner will be served on the Friday after arrival and on the Monday of departure breakfast and lunch will be served). The talented kitchen staff produces appetising, well-balanced, and nutritious meals, always including fresh vegetables and salad. They also prepare evening snacks for us to munch on by the campfire. They can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and many other specialised diets on a limited basis. Please indicate your dietary needs on your registration form as they will only prepare special diets based on those registrations. 


Mobile Phones 

Signal reception is very erratic, spotty, and unreliable at camp. It is best to put your mobile phone away and fully interact with your Faerie Family face-to-face. There is a phone with the staff at Evans Lake available in case of emergencies.


Safety, Respect and Faerie Ethos 

We can all ensure the quality of the gathering by adhering to the sacred principles of Faeriedom: safety, confidentiality, and love and respect for one another, including the caring staff of Evans Lake. Please only take, post or share photos and videos with permission of the subjects. Our ethos calls on each of us to be responsible for our own experiences while respecting the dignity and enjoyment of others, Subject/Subject consciousness. Ask for what you need or want. Speak your truth with compassion. Be direct, be honest. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. But above all, be kind and patient with one another. Remember, consent is sexy and mandatory!