A Realistic Checklist From a Retreat Host
I always smile when someone emails a week before their retreat asking, sometimes nervously, what they should pack. They want to get it right. They want to be prepared. They want to feel comfortable. And honestly, I love that. But after hosting more retreats than I can count at Big Raven Farm, I can tell you the truth. People pack too much. Way too much.
Suitcases that look like someone is moving here permanently. Bags full of things they will never touch. Entire craft rooms. Five pairs of shoes. Three hair dryers. It happens every single season.
So let me take the guesswork out of it. What follows is the real, practical, retreat-host version of what to pack for a yoga and art weekend. Not the Pinterest version. Not the overly minimalist version. The real one. The version that lets you relax, enjoy the retreat, and focus on feeling good rather than managing a mountain of belongings.
And I promise you this. If you forget something, it will be fine. We have extras. We always do.
Start with the Basics: Clothing You Can Actually Live In
There is a certain kind of softness to retreat days. Mornings often begin slow, with a stretch of yoga and the smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen. Afternoons settle into art time. Evenings fill with chatter around the dinner table, a walk around the farm, or time curled up with a warm drink.
Your clothes should reflect that rhythm. This is not the time for stiff jeans or outfits that need adjusting every ten minutes.
Here is what you really want to pack:
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A few pairs of leggings, joggers, or soft pants
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Two or three tops that are breathable and easy to move in
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A cozy sweatshirt, sweater, or fleece
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Warm socks that make you feel snug and happy
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A pair of slip-on shoes for wandering around the farm
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Pajamas you love
Notice what is not on this list. Complicated outfits. Anything dry clean only. Anything that pinches, pokes, or needs ironing. You are coming here to unwind, not struggle with buttons at 7 in the morning.
If the retreat includes outdoor time, bring a jacket appropriate for the season. Minnesota weather has its own personality, and it does whatever it wants.
Your Yoga Essentials: Bring What Makes Your Body Happy
This part is simple. If you have a yoga mat you love, bring it. If you do not, we have plenty here at Big Raven Farm. Some people feel grounded when they use their own mat. Others prefer to travel light. Both work.
A few optional items you might appreciate:
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A small towel
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A strap or block you like
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A reusable water bottle
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A light blanket for savasana
And if you forget these things, I promise we have backups. There is always someone who leaves their strap on the kitchen table at home, and it has never once ruined a retreat.
Art Supplies: Bring Favorites, Not Your Entire Studio
This is the category where people tend to overpack the most. I once had a guest arrive with two full suitcases of art supplies. It was impressive. It was also a little unnecessary.
At Big Raven Farm, we supply everything you need for the retreat theme. Truly. So you do not need to bring canvases, paint, gel medium, stencils, markers, brushes, or anything wildly specific, unless it is something that sparks joy for you.
Here is what I recommend:
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A sketchbook or art journal
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A set of pens or markers you genuinely enjoy using
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A small pouch with scissors, glue stick, and any comfort tools you love
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Optional personal items like washi tape, favorite stamps, or a tiny pack of collage scraps
Think about this as packing the things that inspire you, not the things you think you might need. We have the rest.
Your Toiletry Bag: Only the Essentials
You know those toiletry bags that make a loud noise when you set them on the counter because they are filled with every product imaginable? You do not need that here.
Pack the basics. Shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturizer. Bring whatever you use every day. Skip the products you bought, tried once, and kept “just in case.”
A few extras you might be glad you brought:
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Lip balm
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Lotion
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Hair ties
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A personal pillowcase if you love having your own
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Contact solution if you need it
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Sunscreen in warmer months
And because I know you are wondering, yes, we always have backups. Someone always needs deodorant or a razor or an extra cotton pad. It happens at every retreat.
A Notebook for All Those Thoughts That Show Up Out of Nowhere
Retreats have a funny way of making ideas appear in your head unexpectedly. A phrase. A feeling. A little spark of inspiration that did not exist when you arrived.
Bring a notebook. It does not have to be fancy. It just has to be yours. You will fill it more than you expect.
People write down color palettes they want to try, yoga poses that felt good, conversations that moved them, recipes they loved, and little insights about themselves.
A notebook becomes a quiet companion all weekend.
Something Cozy for Slow Evenings
Evenings at the farm feel like a gentle exhale. The light softens. People gather with cups of tea. There is laughter from the kitchen and the hum of conversations drifting through the house.
This is when you want something warm and comforting. A favorite sweater. A fuzzy pair of socks. A book you have been meaning to read for months. Slippers you normally only wear at home.
These little comforts make the retreat feel like the softest version of home.
Snacks You Enjoy (Even Though We Feed You Beautifully)
Let me say this clearly. We feed you well. Really well. Darin loves cooking for guests and his meals are part of the retreat experience.
Still, if you have a favorite treat, bring it. A secret chocolate stash. A particular brand of tea you cannot live without. Trail mix you made yourself. Something special for late night art sessions.
Snacks make people feel cared for, so bring anything that makes you feel good.
Your Tech, But Not All of It
Everyone brings their phone. Everyone brings a charger. Most people bring headphones. Some bring a tablet for digital journaling.
But something interesting happens. As the retreat goes on, people use their tech less and less. The quiet takes over. Conversations replace scrolling. Hands get busy creating.
Bring what you want. Just know you might not reach for it as often as you think.
Personal Comfort Items That Help You Feel Grounded
Retreats can bring up emotions, inspiration, new ideas, or moments of deep rest. Having a few personal comfort items nearby can make the experience feel even richer.
You might want:
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A sleep mask
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A grounding stone
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Your favorite tea
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A tarot deck
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A travel candle
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Eye drops
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A tiny jar of lotion
These little things, whatever they are for you, make the retreat feel safe and familiar.
Your Openness to Rest, Create, and Be Cared For
This one is not something you can fold and tuck into a suitcase, but it is the most important thing you bring.
Bring your curiosity. Bring your fatigue. Bring your stress. Bring the version of you who needs a little nurturing. Bring the part of you that loves to make things with your hands. Bring your willingness to sit at long tables with people who might turn into friends.
Retreats ask very little of you, but they give a lot back.
A Quick Grab and Go Checklist
Here is the simple summary for last minute packers.
Yoga:
[ ] Mat
[ ] Clothes you can move in
[ ] Water bottle
[ ] Small towel
Art:
[ ] Journal
[ ] Favorite pens or markers
[ ] Small craft pouch
Clothing:
[ ] Layers
[ ] Cozy clothes for evening
[ ] Slip-on shoes
[ ] Warm socks
Toiletries:
[ ] Daily essentials
[ ] Lip balm
[ ] Shampoo and conditioner if you prefer your own
Comfort:
[ ] Snacks
[ ] Headphones
[ ] Personal items
[ ] Notebook
A Final Thought as Your Host
You might think you are packing for a weekend away, but most people tell me they end up leaving with something they did not expect. A sense of clarity. A spark of inspiration. A feeling of connection. A little more joy in their hands. A softness in their shoulders. A slower breath. A reminder that making art is not a luxury, it is part of being human.
If you are packing right now, take your time. Fold things you love. Bring things that make you feel grounded. And know that when you arrive, we will take care of the rest.
If you want to explore what retreats are coming up next, take a look here:
Explore Big Raven Farm Retreats
We cannot wait to welcome you.