Summer - Adult & Intergenerational Programs

Whether a seasoned gardener or novice, this is a chance to work together to create a beautiful sustainable garden for the Centre while learning how to maintain and enhance your own garden. Working from a basic plan, the garden’s shape will grow and evolve over the week, with your input. We’ll touch on water conservation, composting, chemical-free gardening, ecological design and answer your gardening questions. Be outside, listen to the birds, feel the soil on your hands, work at your own pace, contribute to making a garden for Naramata Centre. Be prepared to grow, create, have fun and make a difference!

Come and make new creations from an ancient medium. “Encaustic” is derived from the Greek “enkaien” meaning “to burn into”. The ancient Greeks used this procedure of applying molten, coloured wax to various surfaces more than 3000 years ago. Basic techniques are very easy to learn — no drawing or painting skills required. Beginners are able to create beautiful images right from the start and will have fun interpreting their creations. Encaustic art is fluid and non-restricting — it is wonderful to see how things evolve as the wax moves around creating unplanned little bits of wow!

Are you perplexed about the future? Do you get discouraged about climate change, ecological integrity, related issues? Bill believes we live in exciting times. His book, Cause for Hope: Humanity at the Crossroads, provides encouragement as we seek to be “rooted in Creation”. Bill will lead us in sharing how we are part of a world-wide movement of hope — how we can bring our experience, wisdom (ancient and new), and faith to live more sustainably. This program provides an open and free-wheeling opportunity to learn, share insights and encourage each other in facing “humanity’s crossroads”. (No prior reading is required.)

Experience the healing power of giving and receiving massage. This course covers several Swedish massage techniques, proper massage body dynamics and guided relaxation techniques for massage sessions. By the end of the week, you will be able to give and receive a 90 minute relaxation massage. Come and learn about the power of touch and create a stronger connection between your mind and body. Please register with another person who will be your partner in this course.

Knitting is a simple act of two stitches: knitting and purling. Once you’ve mastered these, you can become a mindful knitter, focusing on creativity and the Spirit within. Like meditation, knitting calms the mind with its gentle, repetitive rhythms. Feed your soul by creating something beautiful — a shawl to give comfort and pleasure. There will be time to knit contemplatively and quietly, and time to knit together in a circle of community. More experienced knitters will be supported in designing a shawl with either cable or lace design. Bring knitting needles and yarn — a supply list with options for the shawl will be sent to you prior to the program. For knitters of all levels.

Feeling rooted in creation is natural when working with clay. This week you will create projects that are inspired by “green and growing things.” The program will offer inspiration whether you are a beginner or a more advanced student. Projects will be designed to bring a sense of satisfaction with the results of your efforts. The program will focus on oxidation firing and unique glaze effects.

Come and spend time in a supportive, stimulating atmosphere — no previous dance experience is required! All you need is a love for music and movement, and a sense of adventure. During the week, we will work to create personal and group dances. Experience meditation, prayerful movement and the healing sounds of music. Please bring a blanket or mat to rest on, and one spiritual piece of music (CD) that is meaningful to you, to share with the group. 

In this program, we will traverse the Okanagan Hills listening for what the land is sharing with us. We’ll make time to reflect on our personal relationships to the land, and on creation stories and poetry that have grown out of the many religions of our world. Join us for an active week of hiking that will bring on a relaxed stress-free state of mind.

The Enneagram is a dynamic tool for self-understanding, change and transformation. It combines the insights of modern psychology with the wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions. Learn about the Enneagram, and look in a new way at how you relate to yourself, to others and to the universe. This introductory workshop explores the Enneagram symbol and the nine types. 

Have you ever noticed how a round of golf can juxtapose moments of transcendent joy, beauty, and grace, with frustration, anger, and humiliation? You are not alone. Many spiritual writers have come to view golf as a discipline that can reveal our character, and our character flaws. Not intended as a “how to” course or even a chance to practice your game, this program invites participants to explore golf from a different perspective. We will use literature, film, meditation, story-telling, and humour to examine the spirituality of golf. Come find your Authentic Swing.

(Note: although golf outings are not part of the program, participants may opt to take part in optional golf outings in the afternoon, facilitated by the leader, at their own expense.)

Here’s an opportunity to mix two passions: wine and spirituality. We’ll take time to reflect on what spirituality is and how wine connects both theologically and biblically. We’ll also visit some local vineyards and taste the fruit of the vine to understand the art of wine making. Finally, a “Blasted Church” tour will lead us to explore how our religious experience can connect us or disconnect us from the Spirit. We are also hoping to spend time with a local baker who will connect us to our roots in the art of bread making.

Here is your chance to make good on your intention to get in shape this summer! With carefully tailored activities, including instruction on basic bike repair, this program offers fitness opportunities in biking, running and swimming. By the end of the week, you will develop and customize your own mini-triathlon! Amidst the physical exertion, time to “smell the roses” will invite you to reflect, to admire nature’s beauty and to share life’s awesome moments with others. Please bring a ride-worthy mountain bike or off-road hybrid, water bottle clip, helmet, running gear, swimsuit and goggles.

Come have fun and discover your own creative ability to transform clay into vessels or sculpture for use or reflection, day or night. Experience the basics of pottery slab-building in the Centres’ studio to create your own lantern houses. You will use molds to make a mug, plate or bowl. Raku glaze and fire your lantern houses, as well as use the studio kilns to glaze fire the functional pieces you create.

Our days are frequently filled with obligations, responsibilities and activities, moving from one point to another. At the end of the day, we often wonder where the time has gone, what has been meaningful? Our time is so precious; it is one of our greatest gifts. How do we stay in awareness of this gift throughout the day and even throughout the night? Together, we will reflect upon time and develop practices such as silence, meditation, ritual and prayer that will help us to remain mindful of time.

No form of travel connects you more intimately with the water than a kayak. Learn to paddle your boat safely and efficiently in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Learn basic strokes, safety and on-water rescues, as well as take a look at clothing, simple navigation, knots and anything else you can think of that will make kayaking more enjoyable for you. Participants may bring their own sea kayak, paddle and personal floatation device, or have everything provided for a fee of $200.

Do you love to sing? Do you enjoy harmonizing? If you do, please join us for five joyful and inspiring mornings of song. Together we will share hymns of praise and prayer, compassion and justice. We will also join our voices in harmony to form a choir. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary and international music, we will sing the rhythms of our days and the seasons of our spirit. Our group will offer song to the whole community on Thursday evening.

We are blessed to see, feel and touch colour. Drawing with oil pastels is fun and colour-vibrant. Creating your own interpretation of what you see is an exciting added bonus. There are no rules! You can be part of the joy of placing oil pastels to paper and seeing images emerge from your page before your eyes. 

This course is for those who have experienced yoga basics and want to take their practice to another level. Yoga helps us to bring balance into our lives, and in our world of opposites (like day and night, light and dark, pleasure and pain), this balance results in a peaceful evenness of mind. We will expand on the yoga asanas, flowing postures together, deepen our pranayama (breathing) techniques, and enjoy beautiful meditations using mantra and hand mudras. Please bring a yoga mat and any preferred props. 

Are you a young adult (18-22) interested in connecting with others? This program is for you! We’ll meet each morning, and for some time most evenings. We’ll get to know one another, be creative, and explore how we can live as active young adults in the world. We’ll work together to create a week that connects and builds upon the interests of the group. Come and join us: there’ll be room for faithful questioning, and flexibility to make this an inspiring week of rest and rejuvenation.

From rich Celtic imagery to our own daily experience, we’ll share the wonder and wisdom of tales of Creatures of the Sea and Sky. Together we’ll explore First Nations stories of salmon and orca, Biblical stories of Jonah and Jesus, Irish traditional lore about the Salmon of Wisdom, and more. From ancient words and powerful pictures we will move to our own stories. Please bring your favourite traditional story or image to share with our group, and a statistic, image, or question about our current relationship with the Creatures of Sea and Sky. 

Lift up your voice! Join us for an inspiring and fun-filled week of singing. Experience the passion and the power of gospel and world music — and the joy of singing with others. Music has a fundamental role in
community-building, spiritual development, holistic health and cross-cultural communication. All voices are welcome — no music reading ability necessary. There will be opportunities for aspiring soloists and a fun, encouraging atmosphere.

Explore the art of design and batik through the simple process of creating Ukrainian Easter eggs. Alternate between drawing designs with beeswax and immersing the eggs in a series of dye baths. Preparing the pysanka is considered a spiritual task, and the person who receives the egg is endowed with the message of the egg maker. Learn about this traditional art form — and create beautiful, personalized “messages” for your friends.

No form of travel connects you more intimately with the water than a kayak. Learn to paddle your boat safely and efficiently in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Learn basic strokes, safety and on-water rescues, clothing considerations, simple navigation and knots. Participants may bring their own sea kayak, paddle and personal floatation device, or have everything provided for a fee of $200.

Qi is the Chinese name for the mysterious, animating Life Energy. Qi Gong is the practice of mindfully cultivating health, harmony and vitality within our body, mind and spirit. A relative of Tai Chi and Yoga, Qi Gong uses stillness, movement and stretching to bring awareness and peace into the whole self and our connection to life around us. Learn simple, practical exercises for self-healing — it will be a time of rest, slowing down, powering up, play and prayerfulness.

Would you like to nourish your creativity and revitalize your spirit at the same time? Through fun and inspiring writing exercises, walking meditations, journaling and a supportive group atmosphere, you will discover the ways that writing what you already know brings gifts of new insight, healing and joy. Our focus will be stories and ideas that emerge from daily life — no previous writing experience needed.

Walking in nature provides a simple opportunity to remove ourselves from daily patterns and to feast our senses on the colours, sounds and scents that restore calm in our heads and peace in our hearts. Inspirational natural settings are also fertile for personal contemplation, and help reconnect us to our earthly roots. We’ll experience these moments through active games, thoughtful conversation and daily hiking excursions to diverse natural treasures in the Naramata area.

Pottery is the experience of being grounded in creation. In this program, you will have an opportunity to learn how to shape, mould and create bowls, cups, plates and delightful imaginary creatures of earth and sky from your imagination. For those wishing to explore slip (wet clay) decoration of flat pieces, tiles and masks, special instruction will be available. Glazing and firing will support each person’s artistic endeavour. 

Are you a young adult (18-22) interested in connecting with others? This program is for you! We’ll meet each morning, and for some time most evenings. We’ll get to know one another, be creative, and explore how we can live as active young adults in the world. We’ll work together to create a week that connects and builds upon the interests of the group. Come and join us: there’ll be room for faithful questioning, and flexibility to make this an inspiring week of rest and rejuvenation. 

Not a singer? Come and make a different kind of music with a great group of potters. Explore what you can do with clay! You’ll have a chance to create simple forms, try molding, rolling, coiling, and pinching, and experience the joys and excitement of wheel-throwing. We’ll work together to gas-fire Raku pieces and produce glazed and fired stoneware. No previous experience required! 

A deepening tradition since first offered at Naramata Centre in 2002, this choir rehearses each morning and evening. All voices are welcome. Join us for an inspiring and fun-filled week where you can feel safe, take risks, expand your voice and self-awareness and sing out!

For young adults age 18 - 25.
Registration limit: 50 singers.

All God’s creatures got a place in the choir! The Green Choir offers an introduction to choral singing. Tailored to adult beginning singers, the Green Choir rehearses each morning and early evening. Focus is on learning to use your voice, learning to join your voice with others, understanding some basic music concepts and enjoyment!

For people 18 and older.
Registration limit: 25 singers.

The Grand Choir meets every morning and early evening in a gently challenging, encouraging atmosphere, with attention to vocal technique, and developing a sense of caring Christian community through music. This week offers a rare chance to participate in a large adult chorus!

For people 18 and older.
Registration limit: 175 singers.

Come savour and delight in the gifts of the earth and one another. We’ll prepare food each day from the bounty of a Naramata harvest, engage creativity and spiritual practices, tell stories and get to know one another, and explore the reality, blessing and responsibility of food in a world where many go hungry. We’ll share food during the week and a have special meal together, Friday lunch.

Can’t draw? No problem! If you can write your name you can be a cartoonist. Story ideas come from your own life. Graphic memoirs have caused a sensation in the literary world, telling vivid life stories. Our time together will include exercises to stimulate creativity, cartooning basics, generating stories and transforming your stories into a graphic memoir. At the end of the week we will print a booklet of selections of everyone’s work. Discover this great way to tell stories and record memories - all ages welcome.

Have you ever thought, “I’ve always wanted to play the guitar?” This basic get-started program is for adults and young people 12 or older with little or no guitar experience. Bring an acoustic guitar in good operating condition. Come ready to play, sing and be amazed by great results! As you get rooted in the rhythms of musical accompaniment, you’ll also have an opportunity to write your own song. Playing guitar can help to create a time of personal rest and may propel you to discover your own Sabbath practice.

This is a fun introductory class to learn simple basics in Jive, Tango, Foxtrot, Salsa and more. Partner dances and a few solo line dances will be included. Enjoy learning about music and movement in a relaxed setting. Be prepared for a week of variety and fun. All are welcome!

(Most suitable for those ten years old and older; please sign up with a partner of any gender.)

Join with us as we design, build and decorate, using basic tools to create restful housing for our feathered friends. We’ll provide some simple designs that you can build or use as a base to design and craft your one-of-a-kind creation. All materials will be supplied. Bring your imagination, enthusiasm and basic tools (hammer, saw, tape measure, screwdrivers).

Please note: children must register together with adults for this program.

Relax and renew with a creative and youthful exploration of gentle yoga, soothing breath work, guided meditation and journaling. Experience the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of breath and stillness, an opportunity for the body, mind and soul to simply be. Create an oasis of healing and rejuvenation for your whole self amidst the buzz and business of life. Feel the earth under foot, heaven above and all that you are, filling the space in between.

Come, play and find out why golf is one of the fastest growing sports. You’ll learn all the basic skills necessary to bring out the “Tiger” in you. Experience the fun of golf and the thrill of a well-hit shot. Discover a sport that can be played throughout your life with friends and family. Learn in a relaxed, restful environment, which is what golf is all about!

“Once everyone was sad, but no one knows why. It was because there was no …?” Join us as we explore story for young and old. Reclaiming imagination and creativity, participants will see, hear, experience and become the story. There will be hints, helps and how-to’s for honing storytelling skills for the seasoned teller as well as the novice

Have you ever found yourself in a bead shop gazing at beautiful beads, but not knowing where to start? Or have you seen stunning bead jewellery at craft fairs and wished you could create some yourself? Here is your opportunity to explore the possibilities! Bring your own broken jewellery and remake it as well as create new pieces using gorgeous beads from around the world. 

In this workshop you will experience play as a means of rest, exploration, connection, spiritual learning, renewal and fun. Each morning we’ll start with a “wide” game for everyone. Participants will then have the opportunity to choose from a number of shorter games, both active and quiet. Come and enjoy mornings in the best way possible … play, play, play!

What do we experience when we are at rest, how might we translate this quiet moment into a visual interpretation? While learning about the camera we’ll explore the theme of rest. Sharing and talking about the photographs we’ve taken are also a part of this program. All levels of photographers are welcome.

We will have five morning walks in the landscape surrounding Naramata to explore our relationship within the natural world. Attentive walking can take many forms. Throughout the week we’ll draw on a variety of exercises that hone our senses, help us to look closely at the world around us, and prepare our souls for wonder. Bring good walking footwear, a water bottle and all-weather gear.

Experience the ebb and flow of rhythmic bliss. You’ll be guided through a percussive journey that allows for both rigorous play and contemplative listening. This process has the power to stop time, bring silence, allow the mind to be led by the body, and open the individual self into group oneness. You’ll learn proper technique on the djembe drum, how to create complimentary patterns, and how to play as an ensemble. Bring your favourite percussion toy; drums will be supplied.

Knitting is a way to feed your spirit and stimulate your imagination. Knitting used to be something we did out of necessity, to clothe and keep our families warm. The art of knitting is being rediscovered and recognized as so much more! This will be a week of interactive hands-on learning where you’ll experience the excitement and the relaxation of knitting. Develop skills to create your own works of art, and to venture out on your own to knit just about anything you want! 

Whether you are experienced or beginner, potter or artist, we’ll provide opportunities to have fun learning to create with clay. We’ll learn various methods from hand building to wheel throwing, using forms to using stamps. Bring your imagination and a willingness to try something new. You may be surprised to see what you can create!