Finding Joy in the Playground of the Mind: An Insight Retreat
Description
Finding Joy in the Playground of the Mind: An Insight Retreat
May 24 - 29, 2026
With Amana Brembry Johnson and Matthew Hepburn
This retreat offers a sliding-scale pricing structure along with several housing choices, making it as accessible as possible for participants. All accommodations are single occupancy, and pricing includes meals; lodging is included where noted.
Casita Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another)
This rate covers the full retreat cost and also helps support guests who need financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. Thank you for helping expand access to practice at Vallecitos.
Casita Actual Rate (I can cover myself)
This option reflects the actual cost of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals.
Casita Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend)
This option includes a 35% scholarship off the actual retreat cost. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals. If you need additional scholarship support beyond this rate, please choose this housing option, complete registration, and then submit the scholarship application using the link provided after registering.
Yurt Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another)
This rate covers the full retreat cost and helps support guests who need financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. Thank you for helping expand access to practice at Vallecitos.
Yurt Actual Rate (I can cover myself)
This option reflects the actual cost of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals.
Yurt Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend)
This option includes a 35% scholarship off the actual retreat cost. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals. If you need additional scholarship support beyond this rate, please choose this housing option, complete registration, and then submit the additional scholarship application following the instructions provided after registering.
Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another)
This rate covers the full retreat cost and helps support guests who need financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. Thank you for helping expand access to practice at Vallecitos.
Tent Cabin Actual Rate (I can cover myself)
This option reflects the actual cost of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals.
Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend)
This option includes a 35% scholarship off the actual retreat cost. All accommodations are single occupancy, and the price includes accommodation and meals. If you need additional scholarship support beyond this rate, please choose this housing option, complete registration, and then submit the additional scholarship application following the instructions provided after registering.
Hermitage - Supporting scholarships and land stewardship
This option supports land stewardship efforts while also helping provide access for retreatants who need additional assistance to attend. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing care of Vallecitos. The difference between this rate and the actual hermitage rate (A secluded cabin) is tax-deductible.
The Hermitage is a secluded octagonal cabin overlooking mountains, meadows, and the Vallecitos River, offering a private retreat setting. It includes a queen-size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, and counter, with a private outhouse nearby. This is a single occupancy heated space, and the price includes meals and lodging.
Hermitage - Supporting scholarships
This option helps support access for retreatants who need additional assistance to attend. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing care of Vallecitos. The difference between this rate and the actual hermitage rate (A secluded cabin) is tax-deductible.
Hermitage - A secluded cabin
The Hermitage is a secluded octagonal cabin overlooking mountains, meadows, and the Vallecitos River, creating a peaceful setting for a more private retreat experience. It is furnished with a queen-size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, and counter, and a private outhouse is nearby. This single occupancy heated space includes meals and lodging.
Comfort Pack--includes bedding and towels
Round Trip Shuttle--see website for more details
One Way Shuttle--see website for more details
Cancellation Policy: 45+ days = full refund, less nonrefundable $150 fee; 45-22 days = 50% refund; 0-21 days = no refunds. The cancellation policy applies to all registered guests, including scholarship recipients.
Accommodation Options
Tent Cabins
The tent cabins at Vallecitos offer a simple, yet comfortable, low-cost accommodation. The tent cabins are on wooden platforms with canvas walls. Each has a bed, a small table and chair. There are zipper windows in the tent cabins and the front opening can be spread wide to invite in sunlight. All tent cabins have a small propane heater. Tent cabins are single occupancy, stand-alone structures. Please note that tent cabins tend to be colder in the shoulder seasons (May and September/October).
Tent Camping
An economical option intended only for experienced campers. You are required to bring your own tent camping gear, as Vallecitos does NOT supply a tent. Temperatures are highly variable, precipitation is to be expected, and you are expected to be fully self-sufficient. This option is strongly discouraged for anyone new to Vallecitos. Please note that our tent camping spaces, like all Vallecitos housing options, are single occupancy. You may not share a tent or camping space with other retreat participants. Pricing includes meals.
Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate
This option covers retreat costs and helps support others who require financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. We greatly appreciate your help in supporting access to practice on retreat at Vallecitos. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.
Tent Cabin Actual Rate
This rate covers the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.
Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate
This option is a 35% scholarship of the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals. If you require additional scholarship assistance above this rate, please select this housing option. Complete your registration, and then submit an additional scholarship application (directions are provided after registering).
Hermitage - A secluded cabin
A secluded cabin overlooking mountains, meadows and the Vallecitos River, the Hermitage is the perfect setting for a more private retreat experience. The octagonal cabin is furnished with a queen size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, and counter. A private outhouse for the hermitage is nearby. The hermitage is a single occupancy heated space. The price includes meals and lodging.
Teachers
About Amana Brembry Johnson Amana Brembry Johnson is an experienced meditation teacher and respected community leader whose contemplative path spans more than forty years and draws from multiple spiritual traditions. Based in Oakland, California, she is a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) and also serves as a coordinating teacher for residential retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center....
Read moreMatthew Hepburn
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Contact Information
Sun, May 24