Family Workshops
Esalen is a rich learning place for children and families. Centered in principles of connectedness, awareness, discovery, and creativity, Esalen programs offer ways for families to grow together, as well as opportunities for children to express who they are apart, as individuals.
Gazebo School Park and the Esalen Children's Workshop combine care and concern for the whole child with the wellbeing of the environment. In these children's programs, engagement with the cycles of nature at Esalen, including planting, tending, observing, harvesting, nourishing, and composting, is a living example of the cycles of relationship, interdependence, care of self, and growth. Gazebo teachers are passionate participants and guides as children make choices and learn during a wide variety of activities, experiments, and self-directed exploration. More information about children at Esalen.
Throughout the year, Esalen offers a variety of weekend and weeklong workshops designed for families and friends to learn and play together. These programs are a unique opportunity to tap into Esalen's longstanding and everchanging commitment to growth and human potential. The relationships and possibilities of family and friends are valuable territory in which to bring new awareness, celebration, and growth.
Below are highlights from a selection of family programs. You can also get a complete list of family workshops by clicking the show all button below.
Thriving in Mother-Daughter Relationships
Renee Schultz, March 26-28
Creating community, support, and a positive model for close and connected mother-daughter relationships is the aim of Thriving in Mother-Daughter Relationships. Schultz is a family and marriage therapist and founding member of the Mother-Daughter Project, a grassroots network of evolving mother-daughter groups dedicated to disrupting old assumptions about how mothers and daughters can relate, and creating a supportive context in which to explore issues such as self-esteem, puberty, girls, friendships, body image, and sexuality. Thriving in Mother-Daughter Relationships is an exquisite opportunity to deepen the special bond between mothers and daughters while enjoying the contemplative atmosphere and natural beauty of Esalen.
Wondrous Stories—Writing for Children with Children
Dave Zaboski & Tesa Conlin, March 28-April 2
Combining art making, storytelling, and family fun, Wondrous Stories—Writing for Children with Children is a hands-on journey into the imagination led by fine artist and former Disney animator Dave Zaboski and writing teacher Tesa Conlin. Together, children and adults will discover and develop a story and then, through playful writing, drawing, collage, and more, craft it into a book to take home and share. This process of creative expression not only culminates in an original work of art made collaboratively by adults and children, but offers a special time for family members to learn about each other and themselves.
By Land and By Water
Sunnie Kaufmann, April 2-4
Go on an adventure in nature's wild laboratory during By Land and By Water, a workshop offered April 2-4 for children ages 5-14 and their parents. Be prepared to explore, observe, discover, and have lots of fun with leader Sunnie Kaufmann, as she leads the group into the cycles of growth and life in nature to be found all over Esalen land. Sunnie brings more than 15 years of experience creating children's programming. As community development director with the Girl Scouts of Northern California, Sunnie offers children and parents the opportunity to step outside their regular routines to try new things and have fun together.
Fathers and Sons: Celebrating Father's Day
in the Tradition of the Old Ways
Steven & Kenneth Harper, June 18-20
An opportunity for fathers and sons 14 and up to walk together in wild nature with awareness, Fathers and Sons: Celebrating Father's Day in the Tradition of the Old Ways participants will explore the early-summer landscapes of Big Sur with longtime Esalen leader Steven Harper, his father Kenneth, and his eighteen- and fifteen-year-old sons, Kai and Kes. Contemplative and awareness practices will be introduced as a way to become more fully present to what may be encountered (in the woods or within) during day-hikes. In the evening, the workshop will come together as a group to share experiences and stories.