Family Yoga Camp Retreat
For Families with children ages 5 to 12
- Jul 17 – 22, 2024
with Matthew Fredrickson, Irene Schulman and David Kletter
Join our 5-day retreat for families seeking an uplifting summer experience!
Come play, learn, and relax with other conscious, yoga-loving parents and families
Our annual Family Yoga Retreat at Ananda Village, for families with children ages 5 to 12, will be hosted at The Expanding Light Retreat for the first time this year! Led by Education for Life teachers and community residents: Matthew Fredrickson, Irene Schulman, and David Kletter. This fun and inspiring week is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families while enjoying the beauty of nature and the uplifted environment of our intentional spiritual community.
Our week includes:
- Morning circle for the whole family with music, yoga postures , meditation and more
- Healthy, child-friendly, vegetarian meals together (plus snacks!)
- Stories, singing, games, art and more to inspire and share universal spiritual values
- Mornings include classes for parents in the EFL approach
- Mornings include classes for parents about Education for Life
- Fun, engaging activities for children including arts and crafts, music, visits around Ananda Village, and more!
- Sharing Nature activities and cooperative games
- Morning and evening sadhanas for parents with childcare provided
- Evening activities for quality family connections
Typical Daily Schedule
This is a “typical” daily schedule for Family Yoga Retreat in past years. Schedule is subject to change and may vary depending on the day.
6:30 am - Wake up bell
7-8 am Yoga and Meditation (for adults and quiet children)
8:15-9 am Breakfast (first 5-10 minutes in silence)
9:15-10:30 Family Circle (as a group)
10:30-12:00 - Children’s activities and Parent classes (separately)
12:30-1:15 - Lunch
1:15 - Joyful Jobs (helping with clean up)
2:30-4:00 - Cooperative family games and activities
4:45-6:30 - Yoga and Meditation (childcare available)
6:30 - 7:30 - Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 - Group walks to Sunset Ridge and/or free time
9:00 - Good night circle and quiet time
What Participants Say About the Program
“Thank you again for such an amazing week. We are still radiating peace and joy from it. My patients are all telling me how happy I look this morning, and my nurse is asking me, ‘Did you get a facial? Did you go to a spa?’ I can’t stop smiling!” – R.S., Palo Alto
The Family Yoga Retreat program is limited to 10 families, about 30 to 40 people. We ask that each family complete this application first, to make sure our program is a good fit for you at this time.
After your application is answered, you will receive information on how to register.
For information about our community Education for Life and support for families see:
For more information, please send us a Question or Comment:
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Matthew Fredrickson
Matthew has worked with children of all ages for 27 years. He is thoughtful, creative, musical, and tunes into each child’s qualities in order to help them learn and shine in exactly the ways they need.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Matthew attended Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and completed a BA in Education and Creative Writing at Ananda College of Living Wisdom in Nevada City, California. He has traveled extensively since his early teenage years, traversing the United States multiple times and touring South America, Europe-and India.
Matthew has been a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and a teacher at Living Wisdom Schools in Portland, Oregon and Ananda Village in California, since 2005. He most enjoys sharing music, literature and creative writing; history, and outdoor adventures with his students.
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Matthew Fredrickson.
Irene Schulman
Irene has long been involved in, and has much experience with educating children through the Ananda system of Education for Life. She presently works for Education for Life International (EFL), mentoring teachers, and visiting and supporting EFL schools everywhere. She has served as a teacher at Ananda Village Living Wisdom School (Grades 4-12), helped develop a teen camp (Inner Adventure Camp for Teens), and helps with online teacher training for parents and teachers.
David Kletter
David first came to Ananda through the Ananda Camano Island Farm and Ashram, a living-breathing embodiment of Yogananda’s principle of simple living and high thinking. A desire to deepen into living the teachings more dynamically brought David to Ananda Village in the summer of 2022. He relates naturally with young people and finds deep joy in attuning to the magic of “the now” and sharing the beauty of Divine Presence with others.
This program can not be reserved online. To reserve, please e-mail or call us at 1-800-346-5350
Costs (FYC)
Costs are on a per person basis.
- Jul 17 – 22, 2024
| Tent RV |
Standard Shared |
Standard Private |
Deluxe Shared |
Deluxe Private |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $680 | $895 | $1230 | $1140 | $1600 |
Prices are all-inclusive and cover accommodations, meals, classes or activities, and course materials.
Family Yoga Camp Retreat starts the afternoon of the first date listed and ends with lunch on the last date listed. Check-in is anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our Front Desk. Your room will be available by 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. The first gathering of your group is after dinner.
Please see:
You can add extra personal retreat days before and/or after your program. Check availability and costs for the days and accommodations that you require.
Family Yoga Camp Retreat starts the afternoon of the first date listed. It’s ideal to arrive before 4 pm, if you are able to. That way, you can join in the afternoon session of yoga and meditation, which begins at 4:45 pm. Dinner is at 6:30. The first real gathering of your group is at 7:30 pm. If you need to arrive here after 5 pm, that’s fine, but it helps us if you let us know at 800-346-5350. We can also put aside a dinner for you if you need to arrive after 7 pm. The program ends with lunch on the last date. Please see our Daily Schedule.
See Transportation and Directions whether you are coming by plane, car, bus or train. Our Frequent Questions page answers many of the questions you might have about How to Go on Retreat.
