{"product_id":"reading-retreat-2026","title":"The Reading Retreat","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"1728\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1726\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eA weekend away for people who love books and themselves\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eImagine a Friday evening where someone hands you a welcome bag, shows you to a gorgeous room, and tells you that your only job for the next two days is to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eNo itinerary to manage. No meals to plan. No one needing anything from you. Just 25 acres of natural land outside Sherwood Park, a wood-burning fireplace, and as many hours as you want to disappear into a book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eThat's what The Reading Retreat is. And I'd love for you to be there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"rr-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-section-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"rr-section-title\"\u003eYou'll know exactly who you're spending your weekend with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eMy name is Colleen. I've spent 35 years working in hospitality and tourism — in four countries, at luxury five-star resorts, casino hotels, and island properties. I've travelled to twenty countries and spent years organizing curated events where every detail matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eI'm also a trained chef. So when I say all meals are included, I mean I'm the one cooking for you from scratch, with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eAnd I'm a reader. The kind who always has multiple books on the go and can't walk past a bookshop. The Reading Retreat exists because I wanted to build something I'd genuinely want to attend. Every decision from the venue to the welcome bag to the surprise weekend activity is made with the same intention: to make this the best weekend you've had in a long time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"rr-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-section-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"rr-section-title\"\u003eRising Moon Studio\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eSet on 25 acres just outside Sherwood Park, Rising Moon Studio is the kind of place that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. The centrepiece is a stunning solarium-style studio with natural light and a wood-burning fireplace, just one of your reading spaces for the weekend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eOutside, there is a wood-burning sauna, a hot tub, cold plunge tubs, an outdoor fire pit, walking trails, and a yoga and event deck down by the pond. Inside, the retreat home is warm and beautifully curated, the sort of space that feels like a sacred home away from home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eYou won't need to leave. That's rather the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003e__________________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"rr-section-title\"\u003eNothing held back\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eHere is everything that is waiting for you — the full picture, nothing withheld:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeals \u0026amp; drinks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eAll meals cooked from scratch by Colleen, plus unlimited coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the weekend. BYOB if you'd like to enjoy a drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWelcome bag\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eA notebook, annotation pen, reading stickers, a bookmark to track your books, a sweet treat, and more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe weekend activity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eA hands-on chocolate-making class — you'll make your own, then enjoy it all weekend. There will always be something chocolate. That's a promise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReading essentials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eA lending library if you finish your book or forgot to pack enough, plus dedicated book journaling time to reflect on what you're reading. I have everything you need to create beautiful layouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe property\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eFull access to the saunas, hot tub, cold plunge tubs, yoga studio, fire pit, walking trails, and the pond deck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-included-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-label\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccommodations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-included-item-value\"\u003eComfortable shared rooms in a beautifully designed retreat home. A pre-retreat survey ensures your needs are known before you arrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"rr-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-pullquote\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-pullquote-text\"\u003e\"I sometimes feel anxious in groups, but the balance between together time and quiet, alone time was perfect. I never felt out of place if I wanted to recharge on my own, and at the same time, I felt completely included. Colleen was so attentive, taking the time to understand everyone's needs and making sure they were met. The whole weekend was wonderful — relaxing, restorative, and truly a treat.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-pullquote-attr\"\u003e— Guest, Reading Retreat 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"rr-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-section-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"rr-section-title\"\u003eTwo weekends available\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-dates\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-date-card\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-date-month\"\u003eMay 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-date-dates\"\u003e15 — 17\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-date-card\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-date-month\"\u003eSeptember 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-date-dates\"\u003e11 — 13\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003e$450 CAD per person plus GST, Friday to Sunday. Spots are limited and May is filling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-note\"\u003eComing up: The Bahamas, May 2027. Denmark, 2028. This is just the beginning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"rr-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rr-copy-box\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003eHave a question before you book? Reach out — I'm a real person and I'll write back. There's a reason the people who come to this retreat leave wanting to return.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003ebookmavenboutique@gmail.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"rr-body\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Maven Boutique","offers":[{"title":"May 15-17th","offer_id":44140772327604,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"September 11 - 13th","offer_id":44140772360372,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0647\/9714\/7316\/files\/A_weekend_at_the_stunning_rising_moon_studios.png?v=1777403553","url":"https:\/\/www.colleenheidecker.com\/products\/reading-retreat-2026","provider":"Colleen Heidecker","version":"1.0","type":"link"}