Franciscan Mountain Nature Retreats 2024

Day and Weekend Retreats Coal Creek Canyon

Golden, CO

One Day Retreats

(Can arrive as early as 9AM. Starts at 10 AM. Leave at 3PM)

(Select One of 3 dates)

Tuesday – June 18

or

Monday – July 22

or

Saturday – July 27

Weekend Retreat

(Friday early arrivals by 4 PM. Starts at 5PM or when can arrive.

Ends 1:30 PM Sunday.)

Friday, August 16 – Sunday, August 18

Backpacking: Indian Peak Wilderness

(Leave 7AM Monday. Return 4 PM Friday)

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2

**Please register two weeks prior to a retreat or contact Sr. Liz ASAP!**

Theme of Retreat – Be a “Creative Beaver” and Balance Our Ecosystem:

“River segments in Colorado hosting beaver-created dams fared far better during and after megafires than riverscapes without beaver activity, leaving pockets of intact habitat crucial for wildlife, and protecting waterways from runway erosion.”
-Colorado Sun, April, 2020, Geological Society of America, Emily Fairfax

The retreat includes:

  • History of beavers in N. Amer. from 100 million(s) to almost extinct to now about 15 million.
  • Beavers’ role: a “keystone species,” effect on water erosion, and biodiversity.
  • Building analog dams – replacing work of beaver.  Planting opportunities.
  • Co-Creation with Christ.
  • Contemplative stillness.
  • Sharing

Preparation for Retreat (Backpacking has its own list)

Items to bring:

  • Dress to work in soil (optional)
  • Gloves and Jacket
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water jug (not a one-use plastic water bottle, please)
  • Rain gear (umbrella and/or poncho – Liz has a few extra ponchos.)
  • Walking shoes necessary. Please bring a light lawn chair if you have one, and a walking stick and walker as needed.
  • Notebook and pen

Cost: Help keep things affordable for all.

Be God’s providence by donating finances for others.

The costs need not deter anyone from attending.

God bless you and thank you.

Suggested donations

One day: $15 per person per day, $20 for two people from the same family. Accepted on the day at retreat.

Weekend: $25 per person, $40 for two people from the same family. Pay early as reservation. Space limited but can bring sleeping bags and futons or tents to extend space.

Backpacking: $35 per person, $45 for two people from the same family. Pay early as reservation. Very Limited.

Check or money order: Sister Elizabeth Fuhr

[Bring food for sharing: One day retreat; bring your own sack lunch or something to be shared. For weekend and backpacking we should bring our own noon snacks but we assign meals for individuals to supply food. Thank you.]

Carpooling is encouraged. Some transportation is available.

Preparation for retreat, if you wish: Beaver Lodge Construction Squad | Attenborough | BBC Earth (10 min). Wyoming The Beavers are back – Busy river monsters at work (50 min).  Europe.  Books in Dener Public Library. Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America, 2022, Leila Philip: Eager, The surprising life of beavers and why they matter, 2019 Ben Goldfarb.

Suggested application dates:

By June 1st for June Retreats

By July 1st for July Retreats

By August 1st for August Retreats