Over the last three years at the WECAN February Conference in Spring Valley, we have introduced participants to New Adult Learning, highlighting one of the three learning paths each year. New Adult Learning, developed by Coenraad van Houten and grounded in anthroposophy, is a professional development program for educators, mentors, facilitators, coaches, administrators, and leaders. It develops capacities for individual learning, ongoing transformation, and creative engagement.
To embark on this approach to development, individuals are invited to further explore the three paths through three separate full-week in-person retreats to be held in Southern Ontario.
Each will begin on a Friday evening and end the following Saturday, providing seven full days to focus on the seven-step processes. The seven-step process offers participants a renewed sense of meaning and purpose, courage to apply insights in life, and a deepened connection to both their work and themselves. This is not just a course—it is a lived, creative, and social practice that helps participants bring spirit into conscious form.
The focus of each week’s intensive is as follows:
- Path 1 – Learning to Learn – July 31 – August 8, 2026
Explore and practice the Seven-step Learning Process that moves from knowledge to wisdom and awakens creative forces for living and working. Sessions include watercolour painting exercises. - Path 2 – Destiny Learning – March 6-14, 2027
Engage with the paths of Destiny and Karma. Through artistic exercises, participants sense their past, understand how it may hinder or support them, and discover new paths forward. Sessions include pastel exercises. - Path 3 – Creative Spiritual Research – July 30 – August 7, 2027
Cultivate conscious connection with the spiritual world through your interests, intentions, and initiative. This path supports becoming a co-creator with spirit and living into your unique destiny. Sessions include clay exercises.
All art materials are provided, and no prior art experience is required; all artwork is experiential.
Program Details
Facilitators: Otisistohkwi:yo Elliott, Wahsonti:io Hill, and Heather Church
Location: Gores Landing, Ontario, Canada
Fee:$1,200 USD. ($1,200 CAD for residents of Canada, contact Heather for payment) Art supplies and meals included (Meal plan will provide options for participants’ food restrictions such as GF, DF, Vegan, Vegetarian, etc.)
Accepted payment methods include credit card or check in advance of each session through WECAN, either online or by mailing a check to our WECAN office.
Some solidarity funds are available. We want everyone to be able to participate. If you need financial support, please contact Heather Church at hchurch@waldorfearlychildhood.org.
Each group will be limited to 12 participants.
Retreat Structure: Each of the three retreats begins Friday evening at 5 pm with dinner and concludes the following Saturday at lunch at 1 pm.
Daily Activities Include:
Mornings:
- Movement
- Presentation
- Group work and or individual exercises
- Observation skill-building activities
Afternoons:
- Time for reflection
- Art exercises
- Review of the day
Evening sessions vary and may include study and shared reflections.
NALA Certificate of Attendance:
Participants will receive a certificate for 17.5 hours of attendance from the New Adult Educators Association.
Proceeds from these events support WECAN’s work.
