"Into the woods I go
to lose my mind and find my soul"
2024 Workshops:
Creating Plein Air Poetry Workshop led by Alycin Hayes ( date to be announced)
Plein Air poetry, like Plein Air painting is done outside in nature. Writing in the open air helps you to write and create with more freedom.
Alycin will give Plein Air writing tips and lead the class in techniques to increase your awareness of sights, smells and sounds to help your writing flow fluidly engaging the right brain. The class will have an opportunity go out on their own into Echo Hill conservation area to write. Those who choose to may share their writings with the group.

Write Your Own Successful Memoir Workshop led by Alycin Hayes ( date to be announced )
Through various exercises this workshop will help you to write your own memoir about your life even if you have never written anything before. This workshop will include handouts to help you find and compose your unique story.
Through various exercises this workshop will help you to write your own memoir about your life even if you have never written anything before. This workshop will include handouts to help you find and compose your unique story.
"Echo Hill is a beautifully forested setting where I felt tension dissolve as we walked through the forest. The workshop helped to nurture creativity I didn't even know I had! Thank you Alycin for your fun and inspiring workshop! I can't wait for your next one!"
Jan Kalmusky
Jan Kalmusky
Some of the Wildlife that lives at Echo Hill Wildlife Sanctuary: Deer, Mink, Fox, Rabbit, Snapping turtle, Painted turtle, Leopard Frog, AmericanToad, Red Spotted Newt, Garter Snake, Milk Snake, Chipmunk, Squirrel, Coyote, Raccoon, Monarch Butterfly, Robin, Goldfinch, Bluejay, Baltimore Oriole, Crow, Northern Flicker, Canada Goose and goslings, Great Blue Heron, Ruby Throated Humming Bird, Wild Turkey, Cardinal, Pileated Woodpecker, Wren, Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Hawk, Lake Gulls.
Camping
Personal weekend & weekly camping retreats in our private, completely off the grid rustic cabin beside Echo Pond are available in the summer. If you enjoy being alone in the woods this is the place for you. Experience our re-wilding. Practice your bushcraft.
Click here to see more photos or book camping at Echo Hill.
Personal weekend & weekly camping retreats in our private, completely off the grid rustic cabin beside Echo Pond are available in the summer. If you enjoy being alone in the woods this is the place for you. Experience our re-wilding. Practice your bushcraft.
Click here to see more photos or book camping at Echo Hill.
Past Workshops :
All workshops are limited to very small intimate groups.
If you have a special interest please let us know. Email AlycinHayes@gmail.com
2023
Plein Air Painting Taught by Tom Campbell, September 11, 2023
2020 - 2022 - Break for COVID
2019
Plein Air painting - taught by Artist Tom Campbell
Forest Bathing/Shin Rin Roku - led by Alycin Hayes
2018
Wild Green Man Masks - Gather plants from the wild to & make an amazing mask you can wear or hang on a wall. All supplies, make, paint glues etc and lunch included. - taught by British Columbia Artist Judy Anderson
Drum Workshop - taught by Alycin Hayes
Forest Bathing/Shin Rin Roku - led by Alycin Hayes
Living with Beavers - Hike to a wild beaver dam and find out how to make a beaver deceiver and live happily with the beaver on your property.
Make Apple Cider like the Pioneers -Gather wild organic apples and make cider from them in a pioneer Apple Press. All supplies and lunch included.
Foraging for Wild Teas - Gather wild herbs and learn how to dry them to make teas from them. High tea included.
2017
Cactus Creations - taught by Alycin Hayes
Whit Tailed Deer Trail Blazing
All workshops are limited to very small intimate groups.
If you have a special interest please let us know. Email AlycinHayes@gmail.com
2023
Plein Air Painting Taught by Tom Campbell, September 11, 2023
2020 - 2022 - Break for COVID
2019
Plein Air painting - taught by Artist Tom Campbell
Forest Bathing/Shin Rin Roku - led by Alycin Hayes
2018
Wild Green Man Masks - Gather plants from the wild to & make an amazing mask you can wear or hang on a wall. All supplies, make, paint glues etc and lunch included. - taught by British Columbia Artist Judy Anderson
Drum Workshop - taught by Alycin Hayes
Forest Bathing/Shin Rin Roku - led by Alycin Hayes
Living with Beavers - Hike to a wild beaver dam and find out how to make a beaver deceiver and live happily with the beaver on your property.
Make Apple Cider like the Pioneers -Gather wild organic apples and make cider from them in a pioneer Apple Press. All supplies and lunch included.
Foraging for Wild Teas - Gather wild herbs and learn how to dry them to make teas from them. High tea included.
2017
Cactus Creations - taught by Alycin Hayes
Whit Tailed Deer Trail Blazing
Click here to Watch a film made about the history of Echo Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
"Echo Through the Trees"
"Echo Through the Trees"