Intentional living.

Slow down and enjoy everyday abundance.

Cultivating a space for you to come as you are, in your entirety, welcoming the free, wild spirits, space to be, breathe, and recharge.

Guiding Ethical Principles

Ravens Rest Retreat and its founders have strong values and beliefs. These guiding principles lay the foundation of all that they do in life and business.

We are persistent believers that empathy and compassion are essential to living a healthy, happy, well-balanced life.

With that in mind, here are the values we hold.

Belonging

We believe everyone should be free to be as they are. We strive to create genuine feelings of belonging for all through an emphasis on hospitality and the interconnectedness of human beings.

People matter to Ravens Rest Retreat.

Community

We believe being part of community can make us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves. We strive to value possibility and relatedness over problems and self-interest.

Kindness matters to Ravens Rest Retreat.

Enough

We believe that there is more to life and living than work and making money. We strive to make mindful decisions about how we spend our time, what we pay attention to, and where we direct our energy.

Finding joy and contentment in the simple things in life matters to Ravens Rest Retreat.

Harmony

We believe all people, all livings things, and the Earth are sacred. We recognize the interconnectedness of all life, not just humans. We strive to uphold our commitment to sustainability.

Living in harmony with nature matters to Ravens Rest Retreat.

We’re committed to maintaining an inclusive intersectional environment. We want our space to be where people feel comfortable coming as they are—in their entirety. No need to use masking or twist themselves to blend in as they may otherwise feel at a typical vacation accommodation.

It is our unwavering belief that an environment like this is not found but created, cultivated, and protected.

  • Vision

    Cultivate a space where slowing down is built in. The energy is that of, “You’re safe; breathe. Rest.”

    Build into the space and experience “deceleration” from the daily pace of Western society.

    A place that draws those seeking peace.

  • Purpose

    Intentional living. Slowing down to enjoy everyday abundance.

    Break from the monotony of the rigid capitalist churn. Return to the ebb and flow of ourselves and the seasons. Integrate and cultivate ourselves with land and community—an abundance of spiritual and natural wonders.

  • Mission

    By working the land and integrating with the local businesses and community, Ravens Rest Retreat will grow with intention. Protecting the energy of the space (vibe) by saying no to offerings and changes that would disturb peace and balance is essential.

About Heidi & Jim

Tired of the daily grind, we craved to break free—desperate to leave the hustle and bustle. We aspired to make a change that would reconnect us to nature and our agricultural roots. We wanted to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. So, we took a leap of faith, packed our bags and the cat, and here we are. Embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. Making our dream a reality!

The son of Dutch immigrants, Jim grew up on a dairy farm in Quebec. With a strong work ethic and fierce determination, Jim is always ready to tackle any project with ease. This animal whisperer knows how to make creatures in his care feel loved and respected. A man of few words, he lets his work (labour of love) speak for itself. 

(Jim doesn’t like photos. So yeah…cropping it is. We considered trying to make it less obvious. But that’s not the real Jim, or the real us.)

The daughter of Dutch immigrants, Heidi grew up on a dairy farm in Ontario. When not doing chores, she spent her childhood happily talking to animals and birds, searching for fairy doors in the forest, or concocting potions made from random leaves, berries, and twigs mixed with moon water stirred with a stick.

With a spirit as mischievous as a pixie and a flair for hospitality, Heidi delights in sharing her love of the earth and all its creatures with her guests.