A Soul-Nourishing Women’s Retreat: Return to the Water. Return to Yourself.
Mermaid Camp
On Manitoulin Island — where your body exhales and your soul begins to listen.
✨ Awaken your inner mermaid as you dive into the magic waters of play, creativity, sensuality, and connection with like-minded women.
Swim away feeling empowered in your feminine strength and beauty.
Imagine this:
You are walking the curve of a white-sanded shoreline.
Waves lap gently at your feet.
The sun warms your face as you gaze out over the deep blue water.
Your soul lets out a breath.
The water is inviting you into her rhythm.
Your breath begins to slow… aligning with the ebb and flow of the waves.
Your shoulders drop. Your body softens.
A fluidity returns.
The waves whisper to you—you are free.
Suddenly, you’re running toward the water, arms flailing, laughter erupting.
A squeal of delight escapes your lips as the splash of water welcomes you.
You dive into the crystal-clear water, embraced by the silky smooth sensation as you glide into the depths.
All of you is welcome.
All of you is held.
This is Mermaid Camp.
A soul-nourishing retreat where play, rest, and embodiment return to the center.
Full permission to be your quirky, creative, silly, wonderfully wild self, all in the embrace of the sacred element of water.
Join a circle of women reclaiming their vibrancy, voice, and freedom to move, play, and express themselves, at any age, in every body.
📍 September 12–16, 2025 | Dominion Bay Cottages
For the Woman Who’s Been Hiding Herself Away
Have you lost your spark in the repetitive rhythm of routine?
Do you long to play, to laugh, to let go?
Is there a part of you—wild, creative, untamed—quietly waiting to break through?
You’re not alone.
So many of us are holding our breath, buried under the weight of roles, responsibilities, and the pressure to keep it all together.
We shrink. We hide.
We forget who we are in the midst of it all.
Our vibrant souls, trapped beneath layers of pressure and perfectionism.
And our bodies…
The stories they’ve carried. The shame we’ve absorbed.
We’re told to be smaller, quieter, smoother, different.
So we diet. Shave. Hide. Dye. Remove. Cover.
Trying to fit a mold that was never made for us.
But somewhere beneath it all… she’s still there.
Your inner mermaid.
She listens to her intuition.
She speaks her truth.
She dances without shame and lives through her senses.
She embraces beauty, color, and creativity.
She’s strong. She’s vibrant.
She’s you.
Mermaid Camp is your reminder:
Your body is beautiful.
Your play is sacred.
Your soul was made to swim.
“True beauty, such as the kind the mermaids know and see, is the kind that emanates out from a soul that knows itself.”
— Lucy Cavendish
Keep reading to see what’s included—or reserve your spot now.
What is Mermaid Camp?
This is a chance to get away from the mundane and put magic back in your life.
A 3-day soul-nourishing retreat for women ready to:
🌊 Break free from the cages of expectation
🌿 Reclaim their creativity, sensuality, and spark
🌀 Reconnect with their joy, intuition, and nature’s wisdom
Set on the shimmering shores of Lake Huron, you’ll step into a nature-immersive, play-based experience designed to help you:
✨ Reflect and share insights
✨ Move your body and feel seen
✨ Gently explore what’s been holding you back
Together, we’ll dive beneath the surface, explore what’s been hidden, and make space for your wild, playful, wonderfully unfiltered self to emerge.
“The mermaids ask you: do you wish to free yourself from the soul cage? It need not be done all at once… but little by little, they will help you rediscover the joys of living according to the stories the soul wants you to tell.”
— Lucy Cavendish
Why Water? Why Now?
For me, as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, the element of water has always been a constant teacher and source of solace.
“You are worthy of the freedom of lightness… Go back and feel the relief of the water that holds you, supports you, cleanses you and frees you.”
— Lucy Cavendish
It was the water that called me to Manitoulin Island.
During a time when my health and energy were deeply depleted, the shoreline became a safe haven.
I spent hours by the water, letting it soothe my grief, calm my nervous system and soften the weight I was carrying.
It reminded me that, like water, we change form—from flowing current, to still mist, to solid ice—but our essence remains.
In every season of life, no matter what shape I took, I realized: my essence was still here. Still whole. Still worthy.
The water gave me permission to drop the roles I’d been holding and return to the truth of who I am: my inner mermaid.
As my energy returned, I spent hours immersed in the water, paddling, floating, swimming, running the shore.
I felt completely held.
My body renewed.
My soul free.
It was here, in the waters of Manitoulin, that I claimed my inner mermaid.
I created Mermaid Camp for women like me, who’ve been holding it all together, quietly exhausted, and are longing for a space to exhale.
For over ten years, I’ve supported others as a trauma-informed psychotherapist and for over five years, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating nature-immersive groups, witnessing firsthand the powerful experience it can be when women reconnect with the natural world, with their bodies, and with themselves.
This retreat is a culmination of all of that:
Professional depth.
Lived experience.
And the magic of water.
Dive In. Play. Be Seen.
A Glimpse Into the Experience
💧 Frolic and float in crystal-clear waters
🌾 Walk barefoot on the beach and let the wild support you
🔥 Dance, laugh, and express yourself through ritual and movement
🧜♀️ Embodied storytelling, creative play, and soul-deep conversations
🌙 Fireside connection and song under the stars
🫧 Somatic invitations to gently reconnect with your body
This isn’t about looking or acting a certain way.
This is about feeling.
Feeling seen. Feeling alive. Feeling free.
What’s Waiting for You
✔ A 3-day immersive retreat experience on Manitoulin Island
✔ An experiential journey weaving together play, reflection, and embodied connection. This includes guided writing prompts, optional partner sharing, and invitations to explore your “inner mermaid” through various activities
✔ Gentle somatic invitations and nature-based practices to support nervous system regulation and inner connection
✔ Opportunities for playful water immersion—swimming, floating or simply resting by the shore
✔ Creative expression and embodiment practices led by inspiring local women including movement, art, and storytelling to explore your unique self
✔ Supportive circle sharing to foster authentic connections with like-hearted women
✔ Ample time Time for solitude, stillness, wonder, and rest
✔ Lodging & food options available (bring your own or opt-in for catering)
Where You’ll Stay
Our home for the weekend is the beautiful Dominion Bay Cottages— nestled on the tranquil shores of Lake Huron on Manitoulin Island.
Manitoulin Island, known as "Mnidoo Mnis" (Spirit Island) in Anishinaabemowin, is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, which includes the Odawa (Ottawa), Ojibwe (Chippewa), and Pottawatomi Nations, often collectively referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy. Today, there are several Anishinaabeg First Nations communities on Manitoulin Island and the surrounding area. Click here for full land acknowledgmeent
You’ll stay in one of two charming lakeside cottages:
🪟 Central Cottage and West Cottage
🛏️ 2 shared rooms and 4 single rooms total, offering a cozy blend of privacy and community
Rustic charm. Shimmering shorelines. Fireside chats and barefoot wanderings await.
🌿 Note: The cottages have been reserved exclusively for Mermaid Camp participants. If you prefer to stay off-site, you’re welcome to book your own lodging nearby.
💫 Full lodging details + a “What to Pack” list will be shared after registration.
💸 Your Investment
📍 September 12–16, 2025 | Dominion Bay Cottages, Manitoulin Island
Arrive Friday (after 2:00 PM), settle in, and let the magic begin. The retreat runs Saturday–Monday, with departure by 11:00 AM Tuesday.
Come join us on the island for a 3-day immersive retreat. Your registration includes:
🏡 A cozy cottage stay
🥗 Nourishing meals
🧜♀️ The entire trauma-informed retreat programming
✨ Special mermaid perks + surprises
Room selection impacts pricing, but every space is warm, welcoming, and designed to support your retreat experience. Occupancy is first-come, first-served.
Accessibility needs? Let us know in your registration form.
Questions before booking? Reach out anytime: hello@angelaherzog.com.
🛏 Choose Your Retreat Experience
Room Type
All prices are per person and include lodging, meals, and full retreat programming. Deposits will go towards your full price
Single Room: $1,495 / $300 deposit to hold your spot
Shared Room: $1,295 / $300 deposit to hold your spot
Shared – with a Friend: $1,245 / $300 deposit/person to hold your spots
🐚 Bring-a-Friend Bonus: Save $50 each when you register with a friend and share a room.
✨ Only 4 single rooms + 4 shared spots available (2 rooms × 2 people each). Space is intentionally limited for depth, intimacy, and personal care.
🏡 Live Nearby or Prefer to Stay Off-Site?
Join as an Off-Site Mermaid!
Enjoy all the meals, workshops, supplies, and mermaid magic—just no overnight stays.
Solo: $1,045 / $300 deposit to hold your spot
With a Friend: $995 / $300 deposit/person
💫 Bring-a-Friend Bonus applies here too—save $50 each when you register together!
Is Mermaid Camp right for you?
This camp is an embodied and empowering experience for women who are ready to deepen their connection with their bodies, their emotions, and the natural world through playful exploration and self-discovery
This experience may be right for you if:
You have an interest, and experience, in exploring your inner landscape through embodied practices and reflection.
You are curious about somatic awareness and perhaps have some familiarity with nervous system practices for well-being.
You generally have the capacity to self-regulate during emotional experiences.
You feel a deep longing to reconnect with yourself and cultivate more joy, freedom, and full-bodied presence.
You want to move, laugh, express emotions, engage with water, and share authentically.
You appreciate that personal growth is a journey and are willing to engage with curiosity and self-compassion.
You are generally comfortable sharing and connecting with others in a group setting on personal themes.
Mermaid Camp is not therapy.
Grounded in Somatic Experiencing® principles, Mermaid Camp offers gentle invitations to explore your inner landscape, deepen body awareness, and reconnect with the joy of movement and self-expression—all within a supportive, nature-immersive environment.
While my background as a Registered Psychotherapist informs my commitment to creating a safe and nurturing space, please remember that Mermaid Camp is a personal growth and well-being retreat. It is not group therapy and is not a substitute for individual therapeutic treatment.
This experience is not designed for the processing of acute trauma. If you are in crisis or in the early stages of trauma recovery, we recommend seeking support from a qualified therapist or mental health professional. To explore one-on-one somatic psychotherapy support with Angela, click here.
Your Invitation
This isn’t just a retreat, it’s a remembrance.
Of play. Of pleasure. Of the deep, feminine knowing that lives in your body and swims just beneath the surface.
Do you feel her? Your inner mermaid?
Do you feel a spark of hope? A shimmer of excitement?
Or perhaps, simply a gentle curiosity?
It’s time to dive in.
Say yes to joy.
Yes to water.
Yes to yourself.
I can’t wait to meet your inner mermaid. 💙
Spaces are limited!
📲 Follow @wellness_in_the_woods for gentle updates and glimpses into retreat life.
💌 Questions or curiosities? Reach out — you’ll be met with kindness.
💳 How to Register + Pay
🧜♀️ Ready to dive in?
Click below to reserve your shell:
Here’s what to expect:
Complete your registration form to tell us about yourself and select your package.
Click on the shopping cart icon at bottom right corner to start deposit payment
Submit your $300 deposit through our secure checkout system.
Receive a confirmation message letting you know we’ve received your spot reservation.
And, let the magic begin….
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After you register, you’ll receive a short “First Wave” form (just a few questions!) to help us welcome you into this experience with care.
Think of it as the start of your Mermaid Camp journey: a space to share what’s calling you to the water, what support you’re seeking, and anything we should know to best care for your needs (physical, emotional, or otherwise).
You’ll also receive an invitation to a gentle Fit Call with Angela, your mermaid guide, to ensure the retreat aligns beautifully with where you’re at and what you're hoping to receive.
We hold space with intention—and this light onboarding step helps us ensure every participant feels safe, seen, and supported. 🐚
We then will support the rest of the financial process:
Instructions for e-transfer or PayPal
Payment plan options (pay in full or 2 monthly payments)
Whether you’re paying in full or splitting it up, we’ll keep it personal and stress-free.
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How does transportation work?Travel to and from the retreat is not included, but we encourage ride-sharing, especially if you’re attending with a friend or want to connect with fellow mermaids in your area. If you wish to take the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry, it needs to be pre-booked in advance.
How do payment plans work?Every registration starts with a $300 deposit. From there, we offer two simple options for the remaining balance:
Pay in full via e-transfer or PayPal.
Split the remaining balance into two equal monthly payments.
After your deposit is processed, we’ll follow up with clear instructions, gentle reminders, and a friendly hand to make it smooth, simple, and stress-free. 💫
What’s your cancellation policy?If the retreat must be cancelled on our end, you’ll be notified right away and refunded in full (minus a nominal admin fee to cover processing costs).
If you need to cancel:– With more than 30 days notice, you’ll be refunded any monies paid to date, minus a small administrative fee.– With less than 30 days notice, refunds are not guaranteed. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we’ll happily refund any monies paid (again, less the nominal admin fee).
We understand that life happens, and we’ll do our best to work with you with care and fairness.