CELEBRATE WHAT’S RIGHT WITH YOUR WORLD
October 16 - 18, 2026
Lakeside, Ohio
For women who are ready to . . .
take a weekend for themselves
develop new habits of celebration
see the world in ways that fill them with joy
feel energy in their outlook
and celebrate what’s right with their world!
We often celebrate the big milestones in life—graduations, anniversaries, new babies. But how often do we pause to celebrate the small moments, the everyday joys?
When we choose to celebrate the ordinary, we begin to see life differently. We cultivate gratitude, strengthen our belief in ourselves, and open up to the possibilities that surround us.
What lens are you using to view your world? Do you seek out possibility?
When change comes, do you embrace it?
Are you celebrating what’s right in front of you?
“This retreat is a keeper - from the groundedness of DeWitt Jones to the lightheartedness of CELEBRATING!”
“The walks were so amazing for me. I was able to be alone with myself & remember who I was.”
“Lakeside was magical.”
What’s Included
An intimate retreat experience with a small group of four women
A stay at Park House, a newly restored, year-round cottage in the heart of Lakeside, just one block from Lake Erie
Your own private bedroom for a two-night stay
Delicious, home-cooked meals, including two dinners, two breakfasts, and one lunch
All retreat programming and materials, including a personalized journal, guided meditations, and a thoughtfully curated gift bag
Access to scenic walking paths and peaceful nature trails
Leisurely stroll along The Beautiful Mile on the shores of Lake Erie
Time on the 700-foot pier extending over the open waters of Lake Erie
Full access to Lakeside’s amenities
Exclusive access to the alumni community at www.stretchingforwardspirit.com
Each element of the retreat is thoughtfully chosen to help you slow down, reconnect, and celebrate what’s right in your life.
Delicious home cooked meals - dietary restrictions honored
What’s Not Included:
Transportation to and from the retreat venue
Personal preference snacks & drinks
Fellowship
”I feel I have learned I can accept where I am, accept I have power to enhance my life, and most importantly, I can care for myself.”
Details
All-inclusive retreat fee: $675
Deposit: $300 to reserve your room
Final payment due by September 30, 2026
Early Bird Bonus Options
(Register by September 1, 2026)
$575 for previous overnight Stretching Forward retreaters
(Save $100)$625 for previous one-day Stretching Forward retreaters
(Save $50)$625 when you refer a friend who is new to the Stretching Forward retreat experience
(You and your friend will each receive $50 off your registration)We invite you to claim your space early and join us in celebrating what’s right.
Scheduling Details:
Check in Friday between 10:30 - 11:30 am
Retreat begins at 12:30 pm Friday (after lunch on your own)
Retreat ends around 1:30 pm Sunday.
Cancellation Policy
A full refund minus a $50 service fee will be provided with written notice of cancellation prior to 45 days of the retreat. A refund of 50% will be provided with written notice between 30 - 45 days prior to retreat.
No refunds will be provided within 30 days of retreat.
“Soul searching and Soul stretching.”
A bit about Lakeside:
Founded in 1873, Lakeside is one of the few remaining Chautauquas in the United States, where charming Victorian cottages, some more than a century old, line quiet, tree-shaded streets. Summers are filled with laughter, family gatherings, and the hum of community life, but in the spring and fall, a gentle calm settles in, perfect for rest, reflection, and renewal.
During October, we invite you to Celebrate What’s Right With the World—a time to slow down, notice the small joys, and embrace the beauty and goodness that surround us. Here at Lakeside, you can savor quiet mornings, lingering conversations, and the simple pleasures of life, allowing your spirit to breathe and your heart to fill.
“I truly enjoyed this whole weekend and appreciated different parts for different reasons. A good balance of connecting with the other women and connecting with myself.“
What to Expect:
Meaningful time together to connect, learn, and share
Quiet moments to savor, reflect, and simply be
Guided journaling and meditation sessions to nourish your inner self
Solitary walks to reconnect with nature and find clarity
Laughter, lighthearted fun, and wholesome, nourishing meals
Opportunities to explore and express your creativity
“This was an amazing weekend. I learned so many lessons to take with me in my life. I am discovering how much I like me.”
A note from Diane
Having been a caregiver for most of my life, I am deeply passionate about both education and the journey of self-discovery. Over the years, attending retreats has shown me the incredible value of taking intentional time for yourself. I’ve learned that I am so much more than a first-born daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, registered nurse, and educator—and I have come to honor the importance of pausing, reflecting, and nurturing my own spirit.
Sharing insights with other women during dedicated time away from the busyness of daily life brings me as much joy as the light I see shining in their eyes. Celebrating what’s right in your world opens the door to noticing that, even in small moments, there is always something to cherish each day.
I invite you to join me in this serene lakeside setting, where we will stretch into our truest selves, embrace moments of reflection, and cultivate new habits of celebration, gratitude, and self-appreciation.
“And I learned yes, a weekend can be enough time to remind me
how important I am to myself and the world.”