• a space where everyone's needs matter, regardless of age
• freedom and encouragement for self-expression and authenticity
• a no-fault zone, where everyone is seen for the beautiful needs he/she is trying to meet and held with compassion
• a week of fun, play, laughter, music, art, movement and creativity based on their interests and needs.

While the adult and children programs are largely separate, many of our adult participants express delight at being able to experience the energy, wonder, and authenticity that the children bring to the Diversity Retreat. The children are typically present (as they wish) for celebrations and mournings, then go off on adventures and programs of their own.

Click here to read more from Cathy and from adult program trainer, Roxy Manning, on why families may want to attend the NVC and Diversity retreat.

Youth Program Trainer, Cathy Bucher

Cathy Bucher graduated from Bay NVC's Committed Practitioners Program in 2006, and became a collaborative trainer with BayNVC soon thereafter. She has been a teacher for twenty years, and has a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis on Special Education. Cathy lives with her sons Max and Nate and her sweetheart David in Davis, CA, where they enjoy learning together through the experience of homeschooling. She is enriched by teaching NVC through workshops and private sessions because it helps her create the kind of world she wants to share with her family. Cathy, who has attended six of BayNVC’s family camps, was part of the staff for five of them. She is also much loved as the youth program trainer at several other NVC family camps across the country. She is excited to support the Diversity Retreat by creating a space where young NVC campers are supported in play and learning and in trusting that everyone’s needs matter.

Quick info:

• There will be assistant trainers who have experience working with children from an NVC consciousness supporting the program.
• The program will have a maximum of 15 children - speak with us to reserve your space early.
• We request that children be at least five years old and comfortable in a group setting to participate in the program. While we would love to support younger children, we want to maximize the likelihood that the children's needs for trust, safety, and comfort are met and that the parents will be able to participate in the sessions offered at the Diversity Retreat. Younger children often need more individual support to meet needs for safety and trust than we are able to provide this year. In prior years, families with preschool aged children have come to the retreat with two adults; one adult attends the adult program while the other adult stays with the younger children and participates in the children's program. In such an instance, the family is asked to contribute only the room and board costs (but no tuition) for the younger children and the adult who is caring for them. We have been told this is an invaluable opportunity for the learning and modeling of NVC-conscious parenting.
• The requested contribution per child for participation in the program is $570 per week for tuition, room and board expenses.
• Because we want this program to support access for people from all socioeconomic classes, we ask that you let us know of your wish to register your child for the program and let us know if you would need financial assistance for your child to attend. We intend to reserve some places for families newer to NVC and who have less access to the financial resources that may make it possible to attend this event. We would like to speak to each family that is intending to register so that we can be sure the program will meet your family's needs. After we have spoken, we will send you information on how to register for the program.