UPCOMING EVENT: Caldera’s Wild Imagination Retreat, Where creatives gather to unplug, connect and conspire around the fire. Aug 29 – Sept 1, 2025
Friday, Aug 29 4:00 pm - Monday, Sept 1, 11:00 am, 2025
31500 Blue Lake Drive Sisters, OR 97759
Caldera presents, a three-day creative retreat for adults over Labor Day weekend 2025. Set in Oregon’s breathtaking high desert, this immersive experience features artist-led workshops, including photography with Portland’s first Creative Laureate Julie Keefe, West African drumming with Grammy-nominated Aaron Nigel Smith, and forest bathing for deep relaxation. Guests will enjoy farm-to-fire dining by Tournant, unplug under starlit skies, and explore Caldera’s scenic wonders—Blue Lake, Rim Trail, and more. With comfy canvas tent accommodations and an all-inclusive package, this retreat offers a chance to reignite creativity and build meaningful connections. Plus, proceeds support Caldera’s award-winning youth programs.
Aug 29- Sept 1, 2025
Arrive tired, leave inspired.
Why Caldera?:
Caldera was founded in 1996 by a visionary creative leader in advertising, Dan Wieden and his family, who purchased property in Sisters to give back to young people and artists. Today, our nationally recognized programs reach roughly 400 young learners and 30 artists each year, with a mission to awaken the potential of their creative voices.
Wild Imagination is your opportunity to experience Caldera as an adult, to reconnect to your own creativity while immersed in nature and a supportive community.
What You’ll Do:
Each day will be packed with creative practice, adventure, and down time to read or boat at the lake, or connect with friends new and old. Here’s what our time may look like together:
DAY 1, Friday, August 29
DAY 2, Saturday, August 30
DAY 3, Sunday, August 31
DAY 4, Monday, September 1
Where You’ll Stay:
Caldera is located in Central Oregon on the shore of Blue Lake’s pristine waters, set amid 116 private acres of forest in the Cascade Mountains. You’ll stay in a glamping tent equipped with everything you need for a comfortable night’s sleep. All tents are set up around our modern bathhouse, and you’ll awaken to the sounds of bubbling Link Creek or hillside bird songs.
What’s Included:
This all inclusive package includes single or double occupancy in a fully decked out canvas tent, local food and beverages including wine and beer, and instruction from Caldera’s renowned facilitators.
Policies:
Cancellation - We will provide a full refund for cancellations made before 11:59 pm PST June 30, 2025. Cancellations made between July 1 - July 30, 2025 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after 11:59 pm PST on July 30, 2025.
If the retreat or any part thereof is canceled or postponed for any reason beyond the control of Caldera such as, but not limited to, damage or destruction to the venue buildings, fire, floods, weather, acts of government, terrorism, or acts of God, Caldera shall provide a full refund.
Minimum Guest Count - Given the considerable cost and effort that goes into planning a retreat such as this, we will require a minimum guest count by June 30, 2025, in order to proceed. If the retreat is cancelled by organizers, a full refund will be issued to all attendees.
Additional Notes - All guests must be at least 21 years of age. Pets are not permitted at Caldera. Tournant chefs will do their best to accommodate food allergies and will provide gluten and dairy free and vegetarian options at each meal.
Phone + Wifi - We intend for participants to use Wild Imagination and their time at Caldera as an opportunity to disconnect from technology. Whatever your intention, there is no cell service and very little wifi on the property. Caldera has a landline for emergency use only.
Payment - Full payment due upon registration. See cancellation policy for more details.
Photography - Our professional photographer will be on site documenting this unforgettable weekend, and photos will be uploaded to our website gallery following the event. See our waiver for more information, and let our photographer know if you prefer not to be photographed. If you take photos with a personal or Caldera camera, please respect the privacy of others. Beyond personal sharing, content shall not be sold or used for commercial purposes without written permission and release from all subjects.
Acknowledgement - Registering for this retreat assumes acknowledgment of all the conditions contained within this description.
FAQ
Who Attends This Retreat?
Wild Imagination is for anyone looking to explore a creative practice in a supportive environment. You do NOT need to be a professional or even someone who considers yourself an artist, but you do need a sense of curiosity and wonder. This retreat is also perfect for uninspired teams and individuals looking to reconnect with themselves, or folks interested in meeting new people through guided activities. Wild Imagination is limited to 40 guests.
What’s Included?
Let Caldera take care of you all weekend. Costs are fully inclusive of workshops and supplies, lodging in glamping tents, and food and beverage provided by vetted industry partners. You’ll also have access to Caldera’s 116 acres of extraordinary private property and state of the art facilities.
What are the sleeping and bathing facilities like?
Each 16’ Bell Tent has raised bedframes with new 6” memory foam mattresses. We will provide sheets, pillows, sleeping bags and wool blankets. You will shower in what Caldera youth campers call the Bath Palace, with heated floors, private shower stalls and dressing areas. Caldera will provide towels and washcloths.
How Do I Get to Caldera?
Transportation to and from Caldera must be arranged on your own. Caldera is about a 3-hour drive from Portland over the scenic Santiam Pass and under an hour from the Redmond Municipal Airport. Our property will open for arrival between 4:00-5 pm on August 29 and close at 11:30 on September 1. We are happy to put you in touch with a private driver at Sisters Delivery and Shuttle who is familiar with Caldera.
What Should I Bring?
We’ll provide a comprehensive packing list after booking. Weather can be variable at this time of year but averages around 75-85 degrees during the day and below 50 degrees at night. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of bedding layers to keep you warm! Beyond that, consider packing your favorite things to do in your down time–books, drawing pads, hiking shoes, etc.
