The purpose of Adirondack Arts and Healing is to promote healing for people with cancer and other chronic illnesses by using the arts, humanities and nature to develop a sense of community, connection and empowerment.

In 1999, a group of Adirondack citizens joined together to offer the first annual Adirondack Arts and Healing Retreat for women with cancer and chronic illness. This retreat provides a unique opportunity for women who are struggling with life changing diseases to tell their stories in a variety of contexts and thus to develop a sense of connection, meaning and empowerment. During the retreat, they are immersed in the healing environment of the Adirondacks and, through workshops offered by Adirondack artists, they are surrounded by the opportunity to use words, music, movement and laughter to create bonds and realize that they are not alone.

Our 10th Annual Retreat will be held at Great Camp Sagamore September 19-21, 2008. We will welcome some women who have attended almost every year since its inception, some who will return for the second, third, or fourth times and some who are new and, on Friday afternoon as they arrive, very tentative. By Sunday morning, as in years past, there will be a palpable sense of community strength and feeling of mutual support among and between every participant and the staff.

In addition, on July 25-27, 2008, we will be offering an additional Retreat, open to both new and returning participants. This retreat has been added due to the tremendous demand and has added many new women to our growing family.