Retreat Overview

3rd Annual Inspired Women's Retreat
Saturday, October 1st
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Carondelet Center in St. Paul
Click here for directions

Inspired Women's Retreat
This is an inspirational day of pampering, purpose and play for girls of all ages (5 to 95). The retreat, an annual event held each fall in the Twin Cities, is an opportunity for women and girls to take time for themselves, focus on what's really important and have fun. Girls of all ages (5-95) attend, present, perform, connect and offer their insights and services to others. The retreat supports those who have found IT and gives them an opportunity to share IT with others. See the fun past attendees have had and learn how the retreat started by clicking here. It is truly a one-of-a-kind girls' day out and promises to be the best day of inspiration around!

The Power of IT
Based on the award-winning book The Little Girl Who Found IT: A Story of Heart and Hope, by author and retreat founder, Janae Bower, the retreat aligns with the book's four stages of the little girl's lifelong journey to get IT:

little girl (living IT) teenage girl (hiding IT), young woman (seeking IT) wise woman (finding IT)

 

 

 

 

Click here to find out more about the book and its matching keepsake products.

Each year the retreat's theme focuses on IT with this year's theme being "The Power of IT." The first ever "The Power of IT Award" will be given to the selected recipient the day of the retreat. The award recognizes girls from all ages (5 to 95) who found IT and shared IT with others; making a difference in people's lives. You'll be amazed how The Power of IT makes a difference in the lives of others!

Featured Speakers and Performers 
These special performances and presentations will entertain, inform and most of all inspire you. You'll be reminded how to live IT through the unique performances by a group of young girls, who formed their own theater company called The Stepping Stones. TvByGirls, an organization of teenage girls dedicated to promoting healthy body images for girls through the media, show us how not to hide IT. You'll laugh and cry as a panel of woman reflect on seeking IT in their relationships, careers and children. Listen to the insight of Amy Tolbert, PhD, CSP who shares how she found IT and helps us discover our own IT story. And singer Arlene Vernon wraps IT all together through her musical parody performances. Meet this year's retreat speakers and performers by clicking here.

Inspirational PLAY! Room
The Inspirational PLAY! Room is an informal place of play to share the mind-body-spirit experience in different stations or rooms. After playing in these rooms for the day, you'll feel rejuvenated and energized! You might even find some great one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself or others! More PLAY! Rooms and more time to play in the rooms are planned for this retreat. Throughout the day you can experience the four rooms: Get Pampered, Get Creative, Get Fit, and Get Advice. Each station in the PLAY! Room features women-owned businesses.Find out more about the rooms and how you can earn PLAY! Money to spend in them by clicking here.

Silent Auction
For the first time, this retreat will include a silent auction to benefit a selected charitable organization. This year the Inspired Women's Retreat honors The Dragonfly Project and its founder Anne Brooker. The Dragonfly Project's mission is share a message of hope to those who are grieving. Anne began the Dragonfly Project at 11 years old when a friend died of a brain tumor. Support this organization by bidding on a variety of items including a breakfast series of seminars from the College of St. Catherine's and a Finding IT kit including book, doll, CD, pin and purse from Janae Bower. All items are for the auction are donated and 100% of the proceeds will support The Dragonfly Project. Click here to learn more about the auction and its beneficiary The Dragonfly Project.

Special Promotions
Take advantage of the special promotions offered for attending this year's retreat. You can receive $10 of PLAY! Money the day of the retreat to spend in the PLAY! Rooms through one of three ways:

1) register by the early bird deadline of August 1st

2) be a member of a partnering organization

3) bring a girlfriend(s) and you both/all get the money!

The retreat, designed to be affordable for all, costs $75 per person and represents an entire day- with two meals, retreat materials, a special signature keepsake and a lot of fun and inspiration! Take advantage now by clicking here to register for these special promotions because space is limited.

Retreat Hosts
The retreat is hosted each year because of the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who organize it. Learn more about retreat founder, Janae Bower, and the amazing committee who helped with this year's retreat by clicking here.