The Location

Squam Lake is an incredibly sacred and special place. The Lake House is nestled in a quiet cove called Sturtevant Bay. The water is clean and clear and it is common to see Loons floating by, families of ducks traveling through, snapping turtles sunning on rocks, and the wise Gray Heron flying overhead. You might hear the mystical call of Loons at night or the hooting of owls. It is a place where you are immersed in the heavenly rhythm of nature, completely held by the magical woods and the water.

Squam Lake was originally known as Keeseenunknipee, meaning “the goose lake in the highlands”, by its indigenous inhabitants. These  tribes included the Penacook, Winnipesaukee, Pigwacket, Sokoki, Cowasuck, and Ossipee, who spoke related dialects of the Abenaki language. Over time, the name was shortened by settlers to Casumpa, Kusumpy, or Kesumpe, and later became known as Asquam, meaning “water” in Abenaki. We honor the stewards and original inhabitants of this land.

Questions? Special requests? We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at nourishedbynatureretreats@gmail.com

About Us

Gwen Rodgerson is an animal lover, farmer, writer, and nature enthusiast. From her background growing up on a rural livestock farm and riding horses, Gwen has had a lifelong relationship with the wild world of nature and animals, and has learned and inherent gifts working with animals and the land (her greatest teachers). With a deep rooted reverence and respect for the ever shifting seasons, Gwen practices observing the subtle shifts in plants, foliage, and wildlife behavior, and adapts her lifestyle and nourishment to live in greater coherence with the rhythm of the seasons. She is passionate about cooking with local, sustainable, and homegrown ingredients to create deeply nourishing meals that support regenerative agriculture practices and align with the seasons and local environment. Gwen’s relationship through the land is further expressed through her love of gardening and her work with Flower Essences as a supportive, high-vibration healing modality. She seeks to share these practices of seasonal and Earth-centered living with others.

As a writer, Gwen explores themes such as nature, Place, and belonging through poetry and essays. She teaches writing workshops, guiding others to find their voice and explore their own relationship with their inner world and the environments that shape them. Gwen is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and loves to incorporate Kundalini (Kriya yoga) into her practice. She is certified in Animal Reiki Level 1 through the Let Animals Lead ® method and Reiki Level 2 for humans and animals, and also holds a certification in Clinical Herbalism.

Caroline Pocock is a multimedia artist, yogi, grief specialist, creative consultant, and Expressive Arts facilitator. Her passion is empowering humans to access clarity and authenticity by facilitating intentional experiences of creative inquiry, nurturing mind-body-spirit connection, ritual, meaning making, self-expression, and compassionate witnessing. Caroline is pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University. She is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, Grief Recovery Method® Guide, and Post-Traumatic Stress Management & Psychological First Aid facilitator. She finds home in her body through breath and movement, writes poetry to process grief, feels most connected singing and dancing in groups, and aspires to one day pluck the banjo like the foot stompin’ strings of Rising Appalachia.

Expressive Arts is a radically inclusive, multi-modal creative practice that bridges the worlds of life and art. Guided practices will help participants get in touch with their creative energy and open up metaphors that their art may offer for them in their daily lives. They are designed for practicing artists and the creatively curious alike, creating space for exploration and emergence of new and unexpected inner wisdom.