Seminars and Retreats

Here is a brief sampling of some of the seminars we have planned for the 2008-2009 season. We will nail down the dates as soon as our building is finished! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so that you'll be one of the first to know when we begin taking reservations for our events. Space is limited, and we expect seminars to fill quickly!

Ecovillage Experience

Dancing Rabbit receives dozens of inquiries each month from people who want to come visit for a short time to see what all the hullaballoo is about. This weekend will provide them with a chance to stay in a strawbale building, use collected rainwater for bathing and drinking, awaken to birdsong, tour several homes built with alternative construction methods, get up close and personal with organic gardens, learn about whole foods cooking and food preservation, eat fantastic organic meals, experience life without television, go for a ride in a vehicle fueled by biodiesel, and generally get a feel of what it is like to live in a rural ecovillage.

Creating an Organic Garden

Participants will help create an organic garden from scratch, learning about seed starting, bed preparation, the joys of compost, mulching, site planning, crop rotation and more. They will take away seedlings to begin their own garden, and understandable written information to help them remember what they have learned.

Renewal Retreat for Women

Paula Chaffee, weaver and author of Weaving a Woman’s Life, Spiritual Lessons from the Loom presents a gentle and instructive weekend, helping us examine how we are all the weavers of our own lives. Through the metaphor of weaving she shows us that the choices we make can draw together treads and patterns in our lives to uplift and sustain us. Expect heartfelt connections, time to think and breathe, and evenings ‘round the fireplace comparing notes with new women friends.

Camp Ineedabreak – Summer Camp for Moms

Ah, finally – it's YOUR turn! All year long you put your family first. For this one week, it's all about you. Sleep as late as you want, soak in the hot tub, lay around and read, enjoy delicious meals that you don't have to cook, wash no dishes, answer no questions, and let us pamper you as you recharge and rejuvenate. Included in the package rate is one massage, a bottle of wine, and a Camp Ineedabreak T-shirt. Everyone goes home with a goody bag, too!

Girlfriend's Retreat

Bring your own girlfriends or just bring yourself and make some new ones as we have slumber parties away from all responsibilities. Enjoy our gourmet cooking, sleep as late as you like, soak in the hot tub, read by the fire, and ramp up for the holidays in the best way possible – with the girls!

For Teachers – Sharing Art, Music and Literature with Kids

Join Missouri Art Teacher of the Year MaryJo Kattelman as she leads us in read aloud sessions, shares insights on how to listen to music and look at art, and provides tips on making it all exciting. We also hope to feature an author reading (details to come). Fee will include copies of books and CDs to take home, a chance to socialize with kindred spirits, and make connections with others who share your passion for teaching, art and kids!

Family Reunion or Retreat

Reserve the Mercantile for the exclusive use of your family. Included: exclusive use of the Mercantile building (porches, hot tub, and garden, too), all meals and snacks, and the peace and quiet of the prairie for walks and renewal. Our talented staffers can make most dreams come true – from special meals and displays of memorabilia to evening sing-alongs, campfires and child care, we’ve got it covered. Think of us as your home away from home, without the hassle of cooking, cleaning or hosting! We can accommodate up to 12 overnight guests, and will happily work with you to make this the most memorable event ever!

Family Nature Discovery Weekend

Parents and kids are welcome as we spend the weekend exploring the joys of nature in ways that are not only creative and memorable, but big time fun, too. Some of the extraordinary things we may uncover: fireflies, animal footprints, berry picking, bat watching, bluebird trail construction, bird songs and nests, secrets inside of flowers, and plant identification. Included will be a “fun in the mud” swim in our pond (lifeguard included). We’ll top off the weekend with a campfire on Saturday night, where we’ll roast marshmallows, sing silly songs and learn to identify constellations. Parents will have some time off during the weekend, but are asked to hang with their kids most of the time, especially during meals. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Register early, space is limited!

Private Retreat

Reserve the Mercantile for your business or organizational retreat. Included is exclusive use of the Mercantile building (plus porches, hot tub, and garden), access to two meeting rooms, gourmet snacks and meals prepared for you, full business facilities (wi-fi, fax, copier, DVD screening, Power Point presentations) and the peace and quiet of the prairie for walks and renewal. We can accommodate up to 12 overnight guests, and will happily work with you to make this the most effective, memorable retreat ever!

Fearless Baking, or, Learn Everything You Knead To Know About Bread

Join Jason Meier, Alyson Ewald and Alline Anderson in a fun-filled, stress free introduction to baking. Alline will start off the confidence-building weekend, taking the group step by step through the world’s easiest recipe for yeast rolls. Alyson will teach us how to bake a spectacularly crusty no-knead loaf of sourdough, and Jason will show us the (easy peasy) secrets to absolutely dreamy oatmeal bread. You’ll go home with recipes and new skills that will last a lifetime.

Celebrating the Harvest – Putting Food Up the Old Fashioned (and delicious) Way

Wondering what to do with all of the produce you’ve grown in your garden, or picked up at the farmer’s market? Come learn to make pickles, jam, salsa, and more! In between canning classes and fabulous meals, take time to sit on the porch and chat, relax and read a book, lounge in the hot tub or even take a nap in your princess-and-the-pea-perfect bed. Everyone will go home with several jars of treats and recipes.

Tomato and Zucchini Fest

Are your zucchini and tomatoes taking over your yard? Are you running out of creative ideas? Have your family and even your dog refusing to eat one more bite of summer veggies? Maybe you’re just looking for a little inspiration. This is your weekend – chock full of cooking and baking recipes and tips, and meals planned around summer’s bounty. You’ll be delighted and thrilled to stuff yourself full of our amazing, delicious meals and treats. We’ll send you home with recipes and fantastic memories.

Yoga Retreat with Lisa Brooks

A practitioner of Forrest Yoga, Lisa's compassion and deep caring shine through as she creates a safe and comfortable atmosphere for beginners to intermediates alike. Any necessary equipment may be purchased at the Mercantile with a special Retreat discount. Expect one session Friday evening, two on Saturday, and a special Sunday farewell class. There will be plentiful organic food, and drinks and snacks available. Class size is limited; please register early.