Our Programs

About Charlson Meadows Programming

Nature has much to teach us if we are only willing to observe, linger, and listen. Our programs are designed to connect our guests with nature in each glorious season. Following nature’s lead, we focus on different elements of self care throughout the year.

We offer two main types of programs: day events and weekend retreats.

*Due to the limited spaces and long waitlists for our weekend retreats, we kindly ask that you only register for one every three years.  You are welcome to check back two weeks before the event to see if space is available.  Thank you for helping us welcome more guests.

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Day for the Heart

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Writers Retreat

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Fill Your Cup Retreat

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Wellness Day Retreat

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Self Guided
Reflective Walks

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Charlson-Drive_0086

Nature Based Retreat

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If we want a wholehearted life, we have to be intentional about cultivating sleep, and play and letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth."

-Brene Brown

Day for the Heart

Above all guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverb

Come away to spend time focusing on self-care through brief facilitated conversations, and self care practices in the morning. After lunch optional activities inside and out.
We will use reflective writing, gentle physical movement, and stillness to tend to our physical and emotional heart.
Bring a nourishing lunch, and clothing for outdoor exploration.

I leave with precious memories of woods, nature and the awareness of God’s presence everywhere" 

-Previous guest

Day for Caregivers

Caregivers are invited to come rest with us for the day.  We are preparing a day with time to connect with your own heart and other caregivers. Spend time out on the land and enjoy some nourishing for your own heart.

Upcoming Events

Thursday,  September 10th, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$30

Full. Add your name to the waitlist

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$30

Register

Future Date:

January 13th, 2027

 

Day for Caregivers

Wednesday,  September 16th, 2026

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$30

Register

Writing Retreats

Writers Retreat
In November, our Writer's Retreat features guest writer Allison McGhee. This weekend we also offer workshop for more guests to join for a class on Saturday morning.

How to Write for Children When You’re a Grownup

Children’s literature is one of our most beloved and valued genres –just ask an adult what their favorite book was as a child and watch their face light up—and it also presents a conundrum of sorts. How do you write a book for a child when you yourself are no longer a child? How do you avoid an adult attitude or voice? Tricking yourself into forgetting you’re an adult is one way to do it, and that means traveling to the invisible place within that holds all the experiences and all the ages you ever were, all the selves you’ve grown out of and into, worlds both new and old at the same time.

In this workshop, we’ll discuss a few short passages from wonderful works of children’s literature (from picture books to middle-grade and young adult novels) and experiment with a few writing prompts designed to unlock the child who lives within us all. Our goals: surprise, delight and insights from whatever comes shimmering up on the page.

Alison McGhee is the New York Times bestselling writer of novels, novellas, poems, and picture books for all ages, including the internationally loved Someday and the Pulitzer Prize nominee Shadow Baby, along with its followup Never Coming Back. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. She also loves live storytelling and is a Moth Grand Slam winner and a frequent storyteller elsewhere and in comedy clubs. Alison founded the creative writing program at Metropolitan State University and taught there for many years. She is the recipient of five Minnesota Book Awards, a McKnight fellowships, two State Arts Board grants, and many other awards. For more information about her books, her online teaching, her podcast, and her Poem of the Week, please check out alisonmcghee.com(opens in new tab).

Day of Writing
New in 2026, we are offering a day set aside for writers to come enjoy the Nancy Nelson Lake House and the time on the land while they work on their own writing projects. This event has been requested for years. This is your chance to come create at Charlson Meadows.
Faciltated by Nicole Rasmussen

Upcoming Events

Weekend Retreat

November 13th - 15th

Friday at 4 pm - Sunday at 12 pm

$150

Registration Opens September 1st at 8 am.

Writers Workshop with Alison McGhee

Saturday, November 14th

9 am - 4 pm

$30

Registration opens on September 1st at 8 am

Day of Writing

Thursday, November 5th

9 am - 4 pm

$30

Register

Fill Your Cup

Self Care for Women

We invite you to come experience rest, reflection, recreation, and encouragement as you connect with your heart in a beautiful setting.  We provide space for you to come away to fill your cup and introduce research-driven tools you can use to nurture your heart all year long.

Facilitated by Nicole Rasmussen

If we want a wholehearted life, we have to be intentional about cultivating sleep, and play and letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth."

                                                        -Brene` Brown

Upcoming Events

Fill Your Cup Retreat

October 23rd - 25th, 2026

Friday after 4 pm - Sunday at 12 pm

$150

Full. Add your name to the waitlist.

Future Dates:

January 22nd -24th, 2027

Wellness Day Retreat

Our Art of Living Well Fall Event:

Nurturing and Nourishing Balance: How to best enjoy the holiday season while keeping your health in check. Immerse yourself in a rejuvenating day crafted to nourish your mind, body and spirit.

Facilitator Wendie Pett has a Doctor of Naturopathy and has worked with patients and groups from across the country for over two decades. She has a nationally syndicated television program, two award-winning podcasts and is an author of a variety of books motivating and encouraging people to make fitness and whole foods plant-based nutrition part of their daily lifestyle routine.

Upcoming Events

Wellness Day Retreat

Tuesday, November 17th

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$30

 

Register

Nature Based Retreats

Weekend with Nature
Are you longing for time spent in partnership with nature?  Seeking to remember what it feels like to be with the trees, meadows, water and the more-than-human world?   The weekend will be a balance of gently guided opportunities for relaxation, meditation, sound healing and tuning in to the senses as a means to deeper connection with nature.  Tap into your heightened sensory awareness and curiosity while practicing the art of creating nature mandalas to leave behind on the land.  There will be plenty of unstructured time to explore the land for play and rest between shared meals and conversation.  Facilitated by Renee Levesque and guest practitioners.
"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."    ~ Henry David Thoreau
Day with Nature
Did you know that experiencing wonder in the natural world creates a deeper connection to the earth and one another? Join Sarah Palm, Program Specialist from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Renee Levesque, Facilities Operations Manager at Charlson Meadows, to learn and experience the science behind the healing power of nature. Spark your sense of wonder while learning to calm your mind, open your heart and relax your body. In the morning we will gather for a discussion on biophilia to understand how a connection with nature is essential for our health and wellbeing, after which we will:
  • Enjoy a guided sensory stroll to restore a connection to the sights, smells, and sounds in our surroundings
  • Learn techniques to connect to your senses and nourish your relationship to the earth
  • Create a take-home memento to document your experience and learn ways to continue to practice the healing power of nature beyond our time together
The afternoon is set aside for an introduction to the art and practice of creating nature mandalas and a deepening of relationship with nature through the senses and curiosity. Guests will enjoy independent time on the land to discover natural treasures from which you will create your own impermanent mandala to leave behind in nature.This event will happen rain or shine.

Upcoming Events

Weekend Event: September 25th -27th

Friday after 4 pm - Sunday at 12 pm

$150

Register

Day with Nature

Tuesday, September 29th

9 am - 4 pm

Register

Self Guided Reflective Walks

The gates to Charlson Meadows are opening for self-guided time on the land.  Explore solo or bring a friend for a walk on the trails through the woods. The Life Journey was designed for you to connect with nature in meaningful ways.

A map and guided reflection prompts will be provided. Beverages and treats are available in the Chalet.

Dress for the outdoors.

Guided tours of the Lake House are available.

Allow nature's peace to flow into as sunshine flows into trees.

-John Muir

Upcoming Events

Reflective Walk

Free

If a time slot fills, we will add another session. Check back at a later date.

Select your preferred date and time.

Monday, September 14th

10 am - 12 pm

Register

Monday, September 14th

2 pm - 4 pm

Register

Monday, September 14th

5 pm - 7 pm

Register

Monday, October 12th

10 am - 12 pm

Register

Monday, October 12th

2 pm - 4 pm

Register

Monday, October 12th

5 pm - 7 pm

Register

Monday, November 9th

10 am - 12 pm

Register

Monday, November 9th

2 pm - 4 pm

Register

Volunteer Opportunites

Join us in the garden as we grow food for area food shelves.

To Volunteer in the Giving Garden, email Renee@Cmeadows.org