We have 10 spaces left, be sure to contact us if you are interested! (4/21/24 updated)
July 17 – 21, 2024
Activities:
- Artistic Swimming clinics
- Technical skill
- Choreography and expression from the heart!
- Team routine created at two levels with varying choreography
- Underwater Art
- Create special photo/video keepsakes to share with family and friends
- Professional Photo Packages Solo/Buddy will be available soon!
- Practice Yoga and Acro Yoga
- Synchro specific flexibility and strength
- Partner/Group stretching and acrobatics
- Voice/Dance Workshop
- Learn to Use Your Voice – singing and telling your story
- Freedom of movement expression
- Emotional Support
- Group sharing about the challenges artistic swimming athletes face
- Perfectionism – Learning how to be less self-critical
- Maintaining self-autonomy – Following your bodies’ intuition and taking care of yourself
- Rainforest Hiking
Our intention is to create a conscious space for girls evolving into their womanhood. The experience is focused on self development and transformation, using synchro as the movement, language and commonality between us all. This camp is for synchronized swimmers who wish to experience a new style of coaching. It will not resemble a traditional synchro camp that is solely focused on workouts. While we will still present physical challenges and advanced synchro techniques, our focus is on identifying and making the most out of the life lessons that come through these challenges, not the performance itself. It is a trip of a lifetime to grow and flourish as an individual within the larger synchro community.
Beyond the pool, this camp is designed as an up close gathering where everyone will feel connected and valued. We intend to cultivate a space where teenagers to feel safe to share their feelings. Common topics such as feeling “not enough”, “too emotional” or “I don’t like my body” are discussed and education is provided on how to step out of those programmed limiting beliefs. If you are looking for a magical place as a catalyst for growth, this is it.
This is an opportunity to talk about their experiences in synchro with other swimmers in a mindful, trauma-sensitive environment.
*As of now, we are not able to offer swimming with wild dolphins. The laws in Hawaii changed in late 2021 to expressly forbid this. We are excited to explore other fun options on the Big Island!
Hosts and Camp Counselors – There will be announcements of additional instructors.
Ashley Scheiba, RYT 200 Ashley Scheiba is the founder of Way of Light Yoga Retreats. In the synchro world, she served as the Head Coach of Tualatin Hills Synchro Club in Portland, Oregon from 2018-2020. She graduated from the University of Minnesota where she swam collegiate synchro. She was previously on the Wayzata Synchro Team and was Captain her senior year. She is a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher and former yoga teacher at the Nike World Headquarters. Ashley is an experienced traveler (29+ countries!) and loves to share the experience of exploring new places with others. She has found a passion most recently in the equestrian hunter jumper world and rides a sweet horse named Spanky. She loves supporting her teen barn-mates as an adult amateur.
Lauren Oiye, LMHC, RYT200 Lauren Oiye is a former USA Synchronized Swimming National Team member. She has competed in Sports Acrobatics as a flyer and more recently competed on the World Tour for Tandem Surfing. Lauren currently holds two world championship titles in Tandem Surfing. In addition to Lauren’s involvement in sports, she is also a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with her own private practice in the state of Hawaii. Lauren incorporates much of the knowledge she has gained from her vast experiences in alternative healing, sports, and yoga into her practice with the individuals she supports in their healing process.
Audra Arbas, Underwater Photographer Audra Arbas has been a synchronized swimmer for 30 years. She previously coached 2 national teams: Aruba and New Zealand for the better part of her 20’s (3 years in each location). Audra currently both swims and coaches masters as well as private lessons for all ages. Audra has been running a photography business for the past 10 years. She has a degree in Visual Journalism and has a specialty in Underwater Photography. Underwater is, by far, her favorite place to be!
Underwater Photo Packages to be announced soon!
Camp Daily Schedule*:
Day 1: Arrival, Opening Gathering, Beach
Day 2: Synchro, Hiking, Mind/Body/Spirit Workshop
Day 3: Yoga, Synchro, Mind/Body/Spirit Workshop, Beach
Day 4: Snorkeling, Synchro, Song/Dance Workshop
Day 5: Synchro, Departure
*We can’t guarantee any specific activities but we will try our best to make the retreat complete and full of excitement. Currently the County of Hawaii Aquatics is operating their pools with COVID guidelines.
Audra will announce Underwater Photo Packages soon!
Campers: Ages 11-17, all genders, Registered with USAAS, All Skill Levels with Minimum 1 year of Synchro (We coach the routine in two groups to cater for various skill levels)
Location:
Orchid Isle Manor is a five acre estate in the Kona Coffee Country on the Orchid Isle of Hawai’i. Orchid Isle Manor has an on site yoga/dance studio and a mermaid lagoon (hot tub). There are four guest cottages to share among the campers, and you can request to room with a friend. The campers are generally put in cabins by age. The counselors will be in the main manor house where the catering is prepared. Campers are able to come knock on our door at anytime, day or night if they need something.
Note: The owner has her pet outdoor cats on the property. We ask all campers to not let them inside the cabins due to allergies.
Meals:
Three Pescatarian or vegetarian meals per day are cooked on-site by our caterer Braylene Jones. Notify us of any food allergies in your registration.
Pool Location:
Konawaena Pool
81-1080 Konawaena School Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750
Transportation:
Airport location info: KOA Airport
Van transportation provided at all times with facilitators.
Pick Up and Drop Off:
Check in time is at 3:00pm to the Orchid Isle for parents personally dropping their camper off. If your daughter arrives solo on a flight, ideally she would land at 1:00 or 2:00pm. The latest we can do is a 4:00pm pick up because we will all go to the beach. There are not accommodations provided for early arrivals before the start of camp.
On the last day we will finish swimming at 12:00pm. We will return to the Orchid Isle for suitcase pickup. Parents may pick up at 1:00pm. A van will be used for airport drop-off for those not being picked up by parents. If your camper is flying solo the ideal time for a flight is around 3pm.
The Mermaid Lagoon is for after dinner fun! It is right across from the dining lanai (patio) where we have all of our meals at camp.
Cost per Camper:
Camp is $1,600 US Dollars which includes everything except the flight to KOA (Kona). Registration requires acceptance of your waiver, registration form, and a deposit of $800. The remaining $800 is to be received on or before March 1st, 2024 to Way of Light Yoga Retreats LLC to complete the booking. If you need additional time to pay through May we can be flexible, just communicate with us!
The Refund Policy is outlined in the Liability Waiver. Please secure travel insurance.
Keiki Kamaʻāina – Please contact us
Space is limited! This will be a tight knit group of swimmers and a great opportunity to make new synchro friends.
Contact us to get Registration Info!
Photography is shot and edited by Audra Arbas.