Kanuga Welcomes Guests to 2023 with Full Slate of Events

Kanuga
Posted Feb 10, 2023

With a full calendar of conferences, camps, retreats, gatherings, musical performances, guest period, and more, Kanuga’s 2023 calendar offers many opportunities to connect with each other, nature, and the Creator.

Kanuga’s programming is back up and running after several years of pandemic recovery. “We have focused on rebuilding based not on what was necessarily done in the past, but rather on what we see for our future,” says President & CEO The Rev. Michael Sullivan. “A real opportunity began to arise from the pandemic ashes, one that inspired us to do better on a variety of operational and community practices.”

Making Kanuga’s programs financially accessible is a particular focus. With 150 buildings, 1,400 acres, several lakes, and 20+ miles of trails, maintaining operational and fiscal health is a challenge for a campus the size of Kanuga. Through revenue generated by opening the inn and cottages to guests year-round, funds are once again available for conference and program attendees to receive financial assistance. “We’ve expanded financial assistance and implemented a new payment plan option for folks who would benefit from making smaller payments over a number of months,” says Executive VP for Mission Jimmy Haden, “Hopefully this will be meaningful to people as they try to manage budgets, especially during times of hardship and inflation.”

“We are working with parishes as best we can on cost. One of the most creative ways to decrease expenses is to have two or even three smaller parishes visit us at the same time. Because of the volume of people, Kanuga’s per person costs for meals and staffing decrease, which is a savings we can then pass along to the parishes,” Haden says.

A new offering, Kanuga Spiritual Retreats, aims to provide respite for parish lay leaders. “We’re holding the year-round lodging rate at $99 a night,” says Community and Spiritual Coordinator Aimee Bostwick. “This makes Kanuga affordable for some of the hardest working people in The Church. While we offer add-ons such as forest bathing, massage, and spiritual direction, some have come simply for the quiet time, the rest, and to deepen their creativity and spirituality.

“Our conferences are moving from a focus on ‘doing’ to one of ‘being.’ Yes, there will be learning, and also intentionally designed spaces for rest and healing,” Aimee says.

Kanuga’s youth programming returns this year, with Camp Kanuga, Mountain Trail Outdoor School, Winterlight, and Youth Week. Kanuga-hosted and – sponsored conferences for adults feature presenters such as Dr. Catherine Meeks, poet David Whyte, Cole Arthur Riley, Pádraig Ó Tuama, and poet laureate Joy Harjo. Simon de Voil will serve as musician in residence this spring. Folk singer-songwriter David Wilcox headlines Kanuga’s Music in the Pines concert series with an April 15 performance in The Chapel of the Transfiguration.

“Our anticipation is palpable,” says Haden. “There is so much more missional work coming back to Kanuga, to our thin place, this year. Come see us!”

For the full Kanuga 2023 calendar, please visit Kanuga.org/Events.