What To Bring

Your Retreat Packing List

We’ll be spending time both indoors and out in nature, and we invite you to dress appropriately for the season to stay comfortable, warm, and dry. There’s no dress code and most guests wear their “retreat-casual”.

A note about luggage choice: There is no pavement at the Edge. Rather than roller suitcases, we recommend duffel bags, backpacks, and totes that can more easily navigate our mulch-covered forest trails.

Clothing & Essentials

  • Comfortable activewear for yoga or movement
  • A swimsuit for sauna year-round & lake swimming)
  • A beach towel for sauna year-round & lake swimming (a shower towel & facecloth are provided)
  • “Retreat Casual” clothing – layers are helpful for the variety of seasonal conditions you may experience.
  • Warm socks and warm sweaters for cool evenings/mornings
  • Sturdy footwear suitable for forest trails
  • A day pack or tote bag for personal items you may want easy access to
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided)
  • Personal medications
  • Journal & pen, Camera, or another creative outlet
  • A surprise to share with other guests! (Perhaps a game, activity, instrument/song/poem, or a tasty nut-free treat)
  • Cash for gratuities & the gift shop

Outdoor Gear For Summer Retreats (May To September)

In the summer, be prepared for warm days, cool nights, and potential rainfall. In addition to the above, we encourage bringing:

  • Sun hat and Sunglasses
  • Flip flops or similar
  • Water shoes or sport sandals for swimming, paddling day trips
  • Sunscreen & lip balm
  • Rain jacket & boots
  • Insect Repellant: DEET-free and in a non-aerosol container. We recommend natural repellent featuring Lemon Eucalyptus. The best defence against bugs (especially in May/June) is long sleeves and pants, or a mesh bug jacket.

Outdoor Gear For Winter Retreats (January To March)

Extra padding, warm layers, and good winter boots are the secret to staying warm and dry in the cooler months. In addition to the above, we encourage bringing:

  • Wool or fleece sweater for layering
  • Long johns, thermal/fleece/wool under-wear
  • Waterproof outer-layer pants, or ski/snow pants
  • Warm winter coat
  • Winter boots that will keep your feet warm & dry
  • Face and neck protection from the cold
  • Extra socks (wool is best)
  • 2 warm toques
  • 2 pairs of warm gloves or mittens
  • Your skates – we have only limited sizes available.

What Not To Bring

  • Personal equipment: from adventure gear to yoga props, we’ve got you covered. If you prefer to use your personal yoga mat, SUP board, bicycle, etc – you’re more than welcome to bring it, but it is not required.
  • Laptop computers, tablets, portable gaming devices: We invite you to fully experience our unplugged & solar powered centre by taking a break from the tech and helping us to reduce the number of devices that use our limited electricity. You are welcome to use your cell phone as a camera – just remember there is no wifi or cellular service available.
  • Hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, irons, or anything that produces heat from electricity can severely damage our solar powered system and are never permitted.
  • Perfumes and other scented products: Consider going scent-free as some of our staff and other participants have sensitivities.
  • Drugs and alcohol: The Edge is a substance-free centre.
  • Valuables: As cabin doors do not have locks, valuables are best left at home or locked safely in your vehicle.
  • Bedding and towels are provided, though we do recommend a beach towel for the sauna.