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Retreat Guide, Gary Paul
Gary is a long-time resident of Santa Cruz. He is a tenured professor and an accomplished naturalist. Through his work with nonprofits, retreat venues, and adventure outfitters, Gary teaches people how to heal and nourish their minds, bodies, and spirits through time spent in nature.
Gary's Website
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Hallow: Prayer & Meditation Playlist
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Sacred Paths: Nature, Beauty and Gratitude
A Guided Hiking Retreat
A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows
― St. Francis of Assisi -
Join us for a free guided group hike with naturalist Gary Paul and hike the majestic trails at St. Clare's Retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The May 4 and August 17 hikes are currently full. Register below for the waitlist. Please contact the office if you would like a tour of the retreat center. You can also subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates on our retreat programs: www.stclaresretreat.org/newsletterDescriptionThe dynamic relationship between humankind and Nature is an unbreakable bond that sustains, nurtures and heals us. When you walk in a forest, turn your face toward the sun and interact with the plant kingdom, you connect with Nature's life-giving energy. We invite you to come slow down with us, quiet your mind, let nature nurture your soul, pique your curiosity and have gratitude become your script. During both our hike and our time on the beautiful St. Clare’s grounds, we’ll spend time in silence, reminding ourselves that we’re in the presence of the Divine. We will also learn how to bring our time spent in nature to a place of cleansing, inspiration, meditation, rest, and sanctuary all while integrating the approaches, mindsets, warmups, and mindful practices that will allow us to discover our deep connection to the Earth.Schedule
Meet at 12:45p in the parking lot of St. Clare's Retreat, located at 2381 Laurel Glen Road, Soquel, CA 95073. We will gather in the parking lot and begin the hike at 1p. The hike will last approximately 2 hours. Following the hike, participants will be greeted by the Sisters, and enjoy snacks and beverages in the dining room as well as a tour of the retreat center.
Additional Information
Registration closes one day prior to the hike and is for the guided hike only. Lodging is not available at St. Clare's Retreat. The hiking trails are located on the property of St. Clare's Retreat. The hike is roughly 3 miles total and will be a leisurely saunter, not an aerobic hike. The first mile is a steady incline, followed by a steep descent for 1/2 mile, then the remainder is relatively flat with a minor incline. We request that minors be accompanied by their parents. If you are interested in attending with children younger than 16 years old, please contact St. Clare's Retreat ahead of the retreat. Office hours are Tuesday to Friday 9a-5p.
Questions
For registration and questions about St. Clare's Retreat, contact us at