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Why OG retreats are starting to embrace kids
In 2024, health retreat pioneers, Miraval and Canyon Ranch both welcomed guests of all ages for the first time. Miraval Berkshires resort in Massachusetts debuted a Family Connection Week that has since become an annual offering. “Families are looking for travel experiences that go beyond simply being in the same place together,” said Gilbert Santana, general manager of Miraval Berkshires. “They want to learn, create, reflect, and try something new side by side. Family Connection Week allows younger guests to participate in select Miraval programming while giving parents, grandparents, and extended family members the chance to connect through activities rooted in mindfulness, creativity, movement, culinary exploration, and nature.” During the week, families might attend a healthy snacking workshop, practice mindfulness, or try salsa dancing lessons.
The week-long family summer camp at Canyon Ranch Lenox, also in Massachusetts, blends outdoor adventures like hikes with educational sessions on coping with stress and nutrition-focused cooking classes. “When your kids grow out of the Disney phase, it can be hard to plan engaging vacations,” said Dr. Jennifer Wagner, the Chief Health and Performance Officer at Canyon Ranch. “Camp was designed to create a fun, wellness conscious experience for both parents and young adults.”
These days, young adults get a lot of their nutrition and exercise information through social media, acknowledged Dr. Wagner. And when parents or guardians try to offer guidance, it can be met with rolled eyes. “This week is an opportunity to have kids in a relaxed, non-authoritarian setting where qualified experts can cut through the noise,” she said. “And parents are learning, too.” A workshop on strength training for women, for example, shows how needs change in various life stages, from puberty through menopause.
Family camp has been so well received that both Canyon Ranch Lenox and Canyon Ranch Tucson have introduced Let Wellness Grow, a summer-long offering that allows parents to bring children aged 13 to 21, free of charge. “This is a period where kids are starting to become more independent and it’s important for them to know how to prepare healthy meals, feel confident as their bodies change, and learn to identify and cope with stress,” said Dr. Wagner. “Something as simple as a father-daughter cold plunge challenge can teach kids how to be uncomfortable and give them confidence that they can do hard things.”
