Location
Commonweal sits on high cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the stunningly beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore. We are located at the historic Marconi Wireless Station, where radio transmission across the Pacific Ocean began. We’re right outside the town of Bolinas, an hour’s drive north of San Francisco.
Lodging
Your private room (with shared bathroom) is in Pacific House, a simple but elegant 12-bedroom guest house. A three-minute walk brings you to cliffs that overlook a spectacular coastline and isolated beaches.
Dates
2022
- Sept 12-18
- October 24-30
2023
- March 27-April 2
- May 8-14
- June 19-25
- September 4-10
- October 9-15
- November 13-19
The Program
Every retreat schedule is slightly different. This timeline describes a typical day.
The retreat starts Monday morning at 10 a.m. and ends Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
| 7:45-9 a.m. | Yoga or qigong |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 10:30 a.m.-12 noon | Group session led by psychotherapist |
| 1-2 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2-5 p.m. | One-on-one time, solitude, or rest |
| 5-6:15 p.m. | Free time, yoga, or qigong |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30-9 p.m. | Information and the arts |
Cost
The Cancer Help Program fee is $3,465 for the week beginning in 2023. This is half our actual cost. The fee covers housing, meals, the program, and materials. We are able to offer the Cancer Help Program for this fee only because contributions from Cancer Help Program alumni cover the other half of the program’s cost.
Due to the generosity of alumni, we are also able to offer scholarship assistance to some participants who would not otherwise be able to join us. The Cancer Help Program is, in a real sense, a gift offered by CCHP alumni to the participants who come after them.
Meals
Master chef Claire Heart sources her ingredients from local organic farms and farmers markets. Her meals are primarily plant-based with some fish and chicken. Claire and her staff will work with you to accommodate special dietary needs.
