SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Black Bear Lodge will host Gather, an intimate three-day grief-tending retreat designed for parents who have experienced stillbirth or infant loss. Taking place November 13–15, 2026, the retreat offers a compassionate space where grieving parents can step away from the demands of everyday life to rest, connect, and be supported by others who understand the profound experience of child loss.
Limited to just 10–16 participants, Gather is intentionally designed to foster meaningful connection through nourishing meals, guided reflection, grief rituals, nature immersion, somatic healing practices, massage, acupuncture, sound bathing, and quiet time surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.
The retreat was created by Black Bear Lodge owner Rachel Carlson, whose daughter Aspen was stillborn in 2018, and Katelyn Morris, a multimedia artist, teacher, and non-clinical depth psychologist whose work centers grief tending, ritual, and healing through nature.
“After losing my daughter, one of the most meaningful parts of my healing was connecting with other parents who truly understood,” said Carlson. “Grief can feel incredibly isolating, especially after the initial support fades away. We created Gather to offer a place where people don’t have to explain their pain—a place where they can simply be held, nourished, and reminded they are not alone.”
Unlike traditional wellness retreats, Gather does not seek to “fix” grief. Instead, it embraces the philosophy that grief deserves space, community, and ritual. The experience is intentionally paced to allow participants to move gently through reflection, rest, and connection without expectation or pressure.
Hosted on the peaceful two-acre grounds of Black Bear Lodge, the retreat reflects the property’s mission of intentional hospitality—creating meaningful experiences that foster rest, balance, renewal, and connection. Nestled among towering pines just minutes from the shores of Lake Tahoe, the lodge provides a quiet and restorative setting for this deeply personal work.
Participants are welcome to attend alone or with a partner. Five organic, chef-prepared meals are included, along with all retreat programming and healing experiences. Accommodations are available in a variety of private rooms, suites, and cabins throughout the property.
Registration is now open. For more information or to reserve a space, visit https://www.tahoeblackbear.com/gather-retreat
