CIRCLE OF LOVE
Single Mom & Kids Retreat
Creating space for renewal, community, and belonging
NEW DATE:
Friday - Monday, February 13-16, 2026
(BC Family Day Long Weekend)
Circle of Love is a weekend retreat designed specifically for single-moms AND their children (ages 5-12) to pause, breathe, and reconnect. In the beauty of nature and the warmth of community, families find rest, support, and the joy of belonging. Together, we create a circle of renewal, laughter, and strength.
Circle of Love Retreat was born from a dream…
…when Fircom’s Executive Director, Terra McKenzie, envisioned a gathering where single mothers and their children could step away from the demands of daily life and find rest, renewal, and community. She recognizes what so many mothers quietly carry: the need for a place to breathe deeply, to feel supported, and to know they are not walking this path alone. She also recognized that many single moms are not able to get away on their own for adult retreats.
This retreat is an extension of our long-loved Mom & Kids Summer Camps, yet it carries its own unique spirit. Its roots were planted when single moms at our 2024 camp began to connect more deeply—supporting one another not just during camp, but in the day-to-day rhythm of “single mom life.” From those seeds of kinship, Circle of Love naturally blossomed.
At Camp Fircom, supported by the energy of Gambier Island, this gathering becomes more than a retreat—it is a circle of belonging, where mothers and children can be nourished by both community and the land itself. Here, bonds are strengthened, spirits are lifted, and space is created for healing and joy. We so happy to have offered the first Circle of Love retreat in February 2025, and with full hearts we look forward to gathering again for the second annual Circle of Love Single Mom & Kids Retreat in February, 2026.
details:
Single Mom & Kids Retreat - 3 nights
Participants: Single moms and their child(ren). Registration is limited for those who have a 2026 Membership, which is for households where a family member, or members attended a 2025 camp or retreat. Maximum 18 moms and their children.
Fees (includes $70/person water taxi fare):
Moms - Craigcroft Accommodation (1 bunk & 1 single bed per room): $450.00 (12 rooms)
Moms - Cottage Accommodation (2 single beds per room): $525.00 (6 rooms)
First Child (Ages 5-12 yrs): $275.00
Second Child (Ages 5-12 yrs): $225.00
Facilitators:
Terra McKenzie (Fircom’s Executive Director)
Guest Facilitator TBA
For more information on accommodation options, please visit our ACCOMMODATION PAGE.
Registration opened October 4, 2025 and this retreat is now full.
Questions? info@fircom.ca
“What a nourishing, nurturing, connected weekend this was! Both my kiddo and I left with our cups filled & basking in the glow of the beautiful village we were part of.”
- Circle of Love participant, Feb/2025
More Details:
Balance:
A balance of moms only time, kids only time, and family time will be offered throughout the weekend, with more time specifically for moms - both guided activities and free time - than what is experienced during our Mom & Kids Camp summer program.
While the kids are off participating in camp adventures with Fircom’s caring staff, you will have an opportunity to engage in the supportive circle of community with other moms who appreciate the unique realities of single motherhood.
Family activities:
Family activities will include some camp classics (i.e., Rad Risers, archery, crafts, games, and campfire sing-a-longs), as well as specially curated experiences that will nurture, support and strengthen your parent-child bond.
Special, for moms:
On Sunday night, while the kids have their own special dinner with Fircom staff and spend time socializing afterward in their own playful ways, moms will enjoy a Happy Hour and fancy dinner by candlelight. This will create the space for more of your own laughter to be felt and heard in community with other moms. Allow yourself to be seen and loved, just as you are.
2026 Theme:
We invite you to Rest, Recover and Renew with other moms while your kids enjoy the magic of camp!
Rest…
You will experience a carefully balanced blend of guided activities and free time designed exclusively for moms. This unique combination will provide the nurturing support and spaciousness you need to truly REST for a few days… something that single moms don’t experience very often!
Recover…
Immersing yourself in nature invites a deep sense of presence, with each moment offering a natural refuge from the everyday stresses of life as a single mom. No matter what time of year, the peacefulness of Gambier Island fosters not only personal restoration but also a relaxed, meaningful connection with your child(ren). PLAY, in particular, opens a space of presence where mental burdens fade away, allowing you to fully embrace and RECOVER the joy of being together.
Renew…
Renewal is about carrying what you’ve experienced at camp back into everyday life. Over the weekend, you’ll be invited to pause and notice what brings you joy, ease, or lightness—both on your own and with your child(ren). Being in supportive community, and simple practices like self-reflection and creative play, sparks fresh energy, new perspectives, and a reminder that you are not walking this path alone.
This weekend is not just about taking a break—it’s about leaving with renewed energy and inspiration for the life you are building together.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Getting to/From camp Fircom
GROUND & SITE MAP >
Horseshoe Bay Public Dock:
Staff will sign you in on the Horseshoe Bay Public Dock, next to the white hut with the red roof. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled boat departure to join the group, and allow extra time to find parking.
Boat Departures:
Check in at Horseshoe Bay: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 4:15 pm (boat scheduled for 4:30pm TBC)
Depart Fircom: Monday, February 16, 2026 at 1:45pm (TBC)
Water taxi times will be confirmed and sent in an email 3 weeks prior to the retreat. The crossing time to Gambier Island takes approximately 25 minutes, but there can be delays with loading, winds, etc. Please be patient with the Cormorant Marine staff as they work to get everyone to and from Camp Fircom safely.
Parking:
We highly recommend taking public transit or being dropped off in Horseshoe Bay to avoid the hassle of finding parking. If you need to park, the following lots are available:
Lions Tiddlycove Parking ($10/day - winter weekends are usually free): This parking lot is a 20 min walk from the Horseshoe Bay Public Dock up under the highway. PLEASE NOTE: In June/24 this lot had some debris falling from the overpass above, and thus the size of the lot is significantly reduced as crews work to fix the situation. As of Fall 2025, the repairs have still not been completed.
BC Ferries Parking ($20-$25/day): These short-term and long-term parking lots are centrally located in Horseshoe Bay village but can quickly fill up on weekends. Winter weekends are usually not an issue, but Family Day weekend could be busy.
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations that are cancelled prior to January 9, 2026 will receive a full refund less a $100.00 Cancellation Fee. If the registration is cancelled after this date, no refund will be given with the exception of a cancellation for medical emergencies (including a positive COVID-19 test result). If a cancellation is for medical reasons and a medical note is provided, only the $100.00 Cancellation Fee will be held and the rest of the Registration Fee will remain as a credit on the camper’s account (for any Fircom program, to be used in one year). Participants leaving mid-retreat due to medical or behavioural reasons will not receive a refund.
