• 14 - 16 Aug 2026
  • Hiawatha, Iowa

Becoming the Elder Tree: Purpose in the Second Half of Life

Learn to be like the elder trees in the forest that nurture, support, and pass wisdom to others for the well-being of the community.

Join a weekend Circle of Trust® retreat that invites you to envision a second half of life that calls forth your truest self and unique purpose and to consider what it means to be an elder in the deepest sense: when our lived years contribute to a special wisdom, vision and wholeness of self that are shared for the benefit of the community and society. We will place the development of elderhood in the context of our interdependent relationships with the more-than-human world, from nature outside our window all the way out through our entire solar system, the world soul and the greater universe story. Inspired by ecologist Suzanne Simard’s revelations about how forests are communities that are cooperative, collaborative, communicative and reciprocal, we will consider how we can be the elder trees that nurture, support and pass wisdom to others for the health and well-being of the entire community. Prairiewoods’ revered Grandmother Oak will thus be our touchstone and inspiration for the weekend.

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center is a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationships with the Source of all Being, Earth, Self and Others, with an increasing awareness of the story of the Universe. Prairiewoods’ 67 acres of woods and prairie offer a haven for those in search of solitude and a connection with the natural world. Guests have opportunities to enjoy the woods and prairie with its network of trails and meditation areas. The grounds also include a cosmic walk, a food forest and edible landscaping, and a labyrinth.

Prairiewoods’ Guest House provides clean, simple air-conditioned rooms for guests who wish to stay overnight. While each of the guest rooms has its own sink, a bathroom with shower is shared between two double rooms. Prairiewoods also has two Hermitages, or small cottages on the edge of the woods, for people who want more quiet and solitude. Each of these simple one-room buildings is a self-contained living space for one person, equipped with a stove, refrigerator, bathroom, and other amenities. A ceiling fan and portable fan are provided for warm weather. There is no air conditioning in the hermitages.

Healthy, fresh meals are cooked on-site. Many ingredients are sourced from Prairiewoods’ gardens and local farmers, honoring the rhythms of the land. Prairiewoods is happy to accommodate a range of special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options with advance notice.

For more information about Prairiewoods, visit www.prairiewoods.org.

 

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