Thinking About a Women's Retreat?

You've been thinking about going on a women's retreat. Maybe you need a weekend away. Maybe you're craving some time to yourself. Maybe you want to meet new people. Maybe a friend keeps telling you that you should come with her.

And maybe you're also thinking:

• What if I don't know anyone?
• What if I'm not a yoga person?
• What do I actually do all weekend?
• Do I have to participate in everything?

Committing to a retreat somewhere unfamiliar with a bunch of people you've never met can feel like a pretty big leap. So let's make the whole thing a little less mysterious.

Can I go to a women's retreat alone?

Absolutely. In fact, plenty of women do. At Rise, some women arrive with their best friends, sisters, coworkers, mothers, daughters, or neighbors. Others arrive completely on their own. Coming alone does NOT mean spending the weekend alone. There are plenty of opportunities to meet people naturally through meals, workshops, activities, and shared spaces. If you choose shared accommodations, you'll also be paired with other women who are traveling solo.

But there's an important distinction:

You can be around people without having to be around people every second. You might spend an afternoon in a workshop making something with a group of women you've just met, then sit quietly by the lake by yourself afterward. The weekend isn't designed to keep you busy every minute. It's intentionally designed to give you choices.

What actually happens at a women's retreat?

This is probably the hardest thing to explain to someone who hasn't been to one. At Rise, there isn't one prescribed way to spend your weekend. You'll have access to more than 40 workshops and classes, with options ranging from movement and meditation to creative arts, nature, personal growth, body-based practices, and more.

You can preregister for the workshops that interest you, try something new, drop into activities that appeal to you in the moment, book an optional private session, or simply take some time for yourself.

A typical day might look something like this:

Quiet sunrise yoga on the lake

Have breakfast

Take a walk solo 

Go to a workshop

Have lunch with women you've just met

Spend some time by the lake

Try something you've never done before (Stand-Up Paddleboarding, anyone?)

Take another workshop

Have dinner

Gather around the fire

Dance

Talk

Laugh

Or go to bed early because you have no where to be 

There isn't a right way to do it

What are the workshops actually like?

We won't be sitting in a conference room while someone gives a two-hour lecture. Rise workshops are facilitated experiences. Depending on the workshop, you might move, create, talk, reflect, learn, laugh, or connect with other women. Some experiences are deeply introspective. Some are playful. Some might challenge you. Some might teach you something completely new. And some might simply make you think, 'Wow, that was fun.' Workshops are intentionally kept relatively small so there's room for actual participation and connection rather than sitting anonymously in the back of a giant room.

Do I have to participate in everything?

Definitely not. This might be one of the most important things to understand about Rise. You are not being handed an itinerary and told where to be every hour. You create your own retreat.

There are scheduled workshops and shared experiences, but there is also plenty of space to rest, wander, sit by the lake, read a book, have a conversation, or do absolutely nothing. That choice is part of the experience. Because how often, in everyday life, do you get to ask yourself:

What do I actually want to do right now?

And then do it.

What if I don't know anyone?

You won't be the only one. Some women come with a group of friends. Others arrive knowing one person. A whole 50% arrive knowing no one at all. The retreat is intentionally structured to create opportunities for connection, so you don't have to figure out how to make friends from scratch. You'll share meals. You'll take workshops. You'll sit around the fire. You'll have conversations that start with something as simple as, "What workshop are you doing next?" And sometimes that's all it takes.

What are the accommodations like?

There are several different options, ranging from shared cabins to more private accommodations. The shared cabins sleep 6–8 women and have shared bathrooms. They're particularly popular with groups of friends, but they're also an option if you're coming alone and want the social experience of sharing a space. There are also shared suites, private and shared rooms in the Pines and Inn, and Woods accommodations with private bathrooms. All accommodations have electricity, screened windows, heat, and access to clean bathrooms and showers. And if you're coming with friends, you can request to bunk together.

Bedding basics are provided, including sheets, towels, a pillow, and a lightweight blanket. You'll get a detailed packing list before the weekend, too. One thing worth remembering: September in the Poconos can be chilly, particularly at night, so layers are your friend.

What kind of food is served?

You don't need to plan your meals or bring a weekend's worth of groceries. Meals and snacks are included with your ticket, with options designed to accommodate different dietary needs, including vegan, paleo, and gluten-free choices. The goal is nourishing, freshly prepared food that gives you plenty of energy for a weekend of moving, learning, exploring, and connecting.

And yes, people tend to rave about the food.

Is Rise for a particular age group?

No. You must be 18 to attend on your own, but there isn't an upper age limit. The women who attend come from different generations, backgrounds, careers, and stages of life. That's actually part of what makes the community interesting. You don't have to be in a particular life phase to belong here. You just have to be a woman who wants to spend a weekend doing something for herself.

Are you taking my phone?

Absolutely not! 

Rise encourages guests to disconnect from email, social media, and phone calls during the weekend, but service is readily available for emergencies and check-ins. You will not be off the grid, but you might be surprised how quickly you stop reaching for your phone when there's a lake outside your door.

Is this a party weekend?

Not in the traditional sense. There are no alcohol or drugs at Rise. There is dancing, music, laughter, campfires, good food, and plenty of opportunities to have fun. The idea is that you don't need alcohol to have a memorable weekend.

What should I expect to get out of it?

This is the one question we can't really answer for you. You might come because you're exhausted and need rest. You might come because you're going through a transition. You might come because you've been taking care of everyone else and realize you've forgotten what it's like to take care of yourself. You might come with your closest friends because you desperately need a girls' weekend. You might come alone because you're ready to meet new people. You might come because you want to try something completely outside your comfort zone. Or you might not know why you're coming yet. That's okay, too.

So... is a women's retreat right for you?

Maybe.

But here's a good test:

If the idea of having an entire weekend where you don't have to cook, clean, answer emails, manage everyone else's schedule, or be responsible for anyone else's needs sounds unbelievably good...

If the thought of going somewhere alone makes you nervous but also a little excited...

If you've been saying, "We really need to get together" to your friends for the last three years...

And if you can't remember the last time you made a decision based entirely on what you wanted to do?

Rise's 2026 Weekend Getaway takes place September 25–27 in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Come with your friends.

Come by yourself.

Come knowing exactly what you need.

Or come with absolutely no idea.

Just come ready to make the weekend yours.