OLIVEREA VALLEY
Wild Senses Retreat
May 16-18, 2025
Through play, curiosity, and hands-on experiences, we’ll engage with nature in meaningful ways. Wander on a guided foraging walk to discover seasonal flora and fungi, learning to identify and harvest wild edibles with care. Gather botanicals to craft natural fragrances, weave baskets from locally sourced materials, and indulge in a thoughtfully curated tasting menu inspired by the forest.
As spring unfolds in renewal and growth, this retreat invites you to embrace nature’s gifts—transforming them into art, nourishment, and inspiration.
Meet Renee Baumann
@renee_makes_things
Renee is a Catskills-based designer, chef, and nature enthusiast whose work is deeply rooted in the wild beauty of her surroundings. With a background in both architecture and the culinary arts, she blends creativity and craftsmanship in unexpected ways—transforming foraged plants and fungi into nourishing meals, intricate baskets, and delicate watercolor illustrations.
Passionate about working with natural materials, Renee shares her knowledge through workshops that explore traditional and modern techniques in fiber arts, basketry, and wild food preparation. From weaving with cattail and willow to spinning foraged fibers and cooking with seasonal ingredients, her work is a celebration of nature’s abundance and the art of mindful making.
Experiences
01.
Sensory Immersion
Foraging walk and Foraged Cocktails & Mocktails​
A guided walk through the flora and funga of spring, exploring seasonal edible plants and possibly mushrooms. Learn safe foraging practices, responsible harvesting, and how to use your senses to connect with nature.
The experience ends with a chance to unwind over handcrafted cocktails or mocktails made with seasonal foraged ingredients.
02.
Touch
Cattail Basketry
​Create your own handwoven basket using locally harvested cattail leaves. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or a beginner, Renee will guide you through each step of the process, from preparing the fibers to weaving your design.
Leave with a beautifully crafted basket and the skills to continue weaving with nature’s materials.
03.
Aroma
Distilling Wild Fragrances
​Babs Mansfield of Phoenicia Soap Co. leads a hands-on exploration of plant distillation, using a traditional copper alembic still to transform locally foraged botanicals into aromatic hydrosols for skincare, aromatherapy, and home use. A fragrant wild blend is created from seasonal plants, offering an opportunity to engage with the art of scent and natural extraction.
Each participant takes home a 2 oz bottle of handcrafted hydrosol, along with the knowledge to continue experimenting with plant-based distillation.
04.
Taste
Foraged Feast
A special four-course meal showcasing the vibrant flavors of spring’s wild harvest. Each dish highlights seasonal foraged ingredients like stinging nettle, knotweed, dame’s rocket, morels, garlic mustard, ramps, ostrich fern, and wisteria, celebrating the unique tastes and textures of nature’s bounty.
05.
Vision
​Botanical Painting Meditation
Start your morning with a meditative approach to botanical painting, where art becomes a tool for deep connection and presence. With a focus on process over perfection, this workshop invites you to slow down, observe, and mindfully illustrate a plant or mushroom, engaging both creativity and curiosity. Through guided techniques, you’ll learn to see nature with fresh eyes, strengthening both artistic skill and your connection to the world around you.
06.
Balance
Yoga Class
Flow through a sequence of poses that challenge your core, enhance stability, and encourage mindful alignment, helping you feel more grounded and centered.
Whether you’re refining your practice or exploring balance for the first time, this class offers a supportive space to strengthen, steady, and restore.
07.
Sound
Local Trail Hikes
​​Embark on a self-guided adventure through the natural beauty surrounding the property. Accessible at any time during your stay, these scenic trails invite you to explore at your own pace, offering a chance to connect with nature’s rhythms. As you wander, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the rustling of trees, and the gentle flow of nearby streams will heighten your senses and guide you into a deeper state of calm and presence
Pricing
What is included:
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- 2 night/3 day stay in the room/cabin of your choice from May 16 - 18, 2025. Check-in Friday at 3pm, check-out Sunday,12pm
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- All experiences noted above
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- Meals are provided throughout your stay: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner, and Sunday breakfast with the option to add on to go lunch. Soft drinks are included & a glass of wine during dinner, with other alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
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​- Gift basket from our favorite brands​
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​How do I get to the hotel
without a car?
Eastwind Oliverea Valley is easily accessible from several Metro-North train stations, including Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, and Beacon. For a seamless journey, taxis can be booked in advance from any of these stations to bring you directly to Oliverea Valley.
Please reach out to us if you require assistance.
COST:​
The package price is for one person. It includes taxes, gratuity, & fees
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$1,640.67 - Lushna Cabin
$1,686.87 - Lushna w/Deck Cabin
$2,033.37 - Lower Valley King
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Want to come with a friend and share the room? ​
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Your guest can also experience the Wild Senses Retreat for an additional $985.68. Simply add your +1 while selecting room type and guest count. This price includes all of the experiences & meals.
Terms & Conditions​:
Cancellations made within two weeks of arrival will result in a cancellation fee in the amount of the full charge for the entire length of stay.