If you’ve ever experienced a breakup or divorce, you might be all too familiar with the painful recovery process. Be it sad movies and playlists, tubs of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, or the support of your loving friends and family.
For those who wished they had a change of scenery to help recover, a new wellness retreat coming to Ontario might be just the escape you’ve been searching for. Launching this May, Camp Heartbreak is Canada’s first-of-its-kind healing retreat, created specifically for individuals dealing with heartbreak, separation, or the emotional weight of lost love.
Located just 2.5 hours north of Toronto in the scenic Kawartha Lakes region, the retreat blends therapeutic support, outdoor adventure, and personal growth in a peaceful, nature-based setting.
The four-night, three-day experience is hosted on the forested grounds of Camp Can-Aqua, which spans 160 private acres, two lakes, and rustic cabins that recall the nostalgia of summer camp. The retreat is designed to provide a safe, supportive environment for individuals to unplug from everyday stressors and reconnect with themselves.
Campers will take part in daily workshops led by licensed therapists and coaches, therapeutic group sessions, creative arts programming, yoga and mindfulness exercises, and fun camp-style activities like canoeing, kayaking, archery, and photography.
For those who don’t consider themselves “campers”, don’t worry – they consider their sleeping quarters “five-star rustic”, offering classic cozy cabins for all. Plus all campers will submit a sleep questionnaire so the camp can ensure the right sleeping conditions no matter your sleep needs.
As for food? You won’t find canned beans and basic hot dogs here. Meals included in your stay are nourishing and thoughtfully sourced, and their sample menu includes gourmet offerings like shakshuka skillets and a bagel bar for breakfast, smash burgers and cobb salad for lunch, and brisket tacos or chicken kebabs for dinner.
The launch of Camp Heartbreak comes at a time when emotional wellness is more vital than ever. According to Statistics Canada, over 40 percent of Canadians reported feeling lonely either occasionally or frequently, and those numbers have continued to rise in the years following the pandemic. With nearly 2.8 million Canadians having experienced the end of a marriage and a national divorce rate of 40% as of 2022, the need for spaces dedicated to heartbreak recovery has never been greater.
Camp Heartbreak will be offering six sessions in 2025, beginning with its inaugural retreat from May 22 to May 26. Additional dates include May 29 to June 2, and future dates are TBD.
Pricing starts at $1,298 CAD ($936 USD) plus tax for an all-inclusive experience that covers accommodations, meals, programming, and all activities. Transportation is also made easy with a shuttle service from Toronto, along with plenty of on-site parking for those who prefer to drive themselves.
According to Camp Heartbreak’s founder Greg Chociej, “Camp Heartbreak features multiple approaches to community connection, connections to the natural world, and a connection to one’s own emotions, all alongside a healthy dollop of nostalgia. We’re offering the opportunity to play, heal, and grow together.”
Wherever you’re at on your healing journey, we can’t think of a much better way to immerse yourself the recovery process!