The experience is designed to:
The Location
"The Camp" in Carmel features 115 acres including a pool, grassy lawns, tennis courts, great hall, dining terrace and glamping cabins with separate bathhouse.
This retreat is focused on wellness with activities to support 8-13 year olds and their mothers with mental health, emotional awareness and community.
Schedule
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Friday night dinner + opening ceremony
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Fire and s'mores 1
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Saturday morning breakfast + wellness workshop
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Saturday afternoon lunch + tie dye art activity
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Saturday night dinner + free time
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Closing ceremony
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Fire and s'mores 2
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Sunday morning breakfast​
Wellness & Mental Health
Danielle has developed a series of programs and products in collaboration with mental health professionals and drama/art therapists. The activities stem from traditional theater games that develop confidence, communication and community. In addition, they are layered with elements that explore inner emotional landscapes and offer an avenue to express outwardly.
Cacao Ceremony
There will be an offering of pure, ceremonial grade cacao to drink. This ceremony will include discussion around the knowledge/background of Cacao, how its made and its health benefits . We will also discuss the connection to the women's sacred menstrual cycle and how this can be used as medicine. This will be a time for girls to connect to their cycles in a social setting. This is a moment to gather in a modern-day re-envisioning of the "red tent or moon lodge" so that girls may find a ceremonial honoring of this rite of passage, learn from women and support one another.
Health Benefits of Cacao for Adolescents
Cacao is most beneficial in its raw, unprocessed form. Processed chocolate products, which often contain additives and go through heavy heating, may not provide the same health advantages. For this ceremony, we will be using a ceremonial grade cacao which means it is pure, raw and unprocessed.
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Nutrient Dense
Cacao is rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, fiber, and vitamins B6 and E, which are important for the growth and development of adolescents.
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Brain Health
The flavonoids and other compounds found in cacao may support cognitive function, memory, and focus, which can be particularly beneficial for girls in their teenage years as they navigate academic challenges and cognitive development.
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Menstrual Support
Cacao is a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that plays a crucial role in muscle relaxation and can help alleviate menstrual cramps, which are often caused by uterine contractions. Iron is important for maintaining healthy blood levels, and menstruating individuals may experience iron loss during their periods. Consuming iron-rich foods like cacao can help replenish iron stores and prevent iron deficiency anemia
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Mood Enhancement & Stabilization
Adolescence is often a time of emotional ups and downs, and the compounds in cacao, such as phenylethylamine (PEA) and anandamide, help promote feelings of happiness and well-being by stimulating the release of endorphins. Cacao can help regulate serotonin levels, which may contribute to mood stabilization.
Meet Danielle
Hi! I started mother-daughter experiences because I saw a fundamental need that was missing from our education system and our modern day culture. I've been working in the education industry building programs for schools for over 15 years and it was apparent that the anxiety, sadness and stress that children are currently experiencing need to be at the forefront of our focus. In addition, I was working with women's circles and one day I heard someone say "My daughter wanted to come so badly today!" and... I thought, "Well let's create something new then!"
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So I combined my experience in social-emotional learning, wellness, games, events, theater and ancient women's wisdom to build experiences that connect mothers, daughters and families overall.
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My hope is that our time together will bridge a new, deeper connection to family, but also to our ancestors, and the many women before us so that we may walk into a new world of equality, intuition, strength, and emotional resiliency. ​
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Oh and have some fun while we're at it!