Tours / Retreats / Pilgrimage

Thank you for your interest in Guided Tours, Day Retreats, and Pilgrimage opportunities at Kinstone. Find information about all of these event possibilities below.

Guided Tours are available seven days a week between the hours of 9am and 1pm and must be arranged at least 1 week in advance. All Guided Tours are scheduled on a first come basis and are dependent upon staff availability. For more details, see the information below.  If you are interested in scheduling a Guided Tour, please submit an inquiry through our Contact Us link to initiate a conversation, include your name, what type of tour you are interested in, the desired date and time, and the approximate number of participants.

We offer two options, an outdoor Walking Tour or an indoor Virtual Tour. Find details for both options below.

Description:

Walking Tour: Join Kinstone creator, Kristine Beck, for a 90-minute walking tour to experience several of her land-art features. Groups meet at the Visitor Center and then walk together to the highlighted features. Hear personal stories of the history and intention behind each. Participants must be able to walk or otherwise traverse rough terrain and uneven, mowed grass paths. If there are any persons 15 years old or younger attending a tour, each one must be under the supervision of a designated responsible adult at all times. Participants should wear sturdy walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, umbrellas for shade or rain, a camera, and a walking stick if desired.

Virtual Tour: Join Kinstone creator, Kristine Beck, for a 90-minute presentation in the comfort of our Visitor Center. Hear the story of Kinstone and see a photographic tour showcasing its main features followed by time for questions. If there are any persons 15 years old or younger attending a tour, each one must be under the supervision of a designated responsible adult at all times. This option works best for groups with participants who have difficulty walking. Afterwards, participants may explore the grounds on their own, as they are able. Anyone choosing to explore the grounds afterwards should wear sturdy walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, umbrellas for shade or rain, a camera, and a walking stick if desired.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Maximum participants: 20

Cost: starts at $100 for up to 5 persons; for larger groups it is calculated at $50 plus $10/person (there are no special tour rates for youth). Children 5 and under are free. The cost includes general admission for each participant so all tour participants may explore Kinstone on their own during our scheduled open hours on the tour date.

Arrangements: Tour arrangements must be made by one designated contact person at least 1 week in advance and a $20 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm and hold the reservation.

Payment: Full payment for the entire group must be made in a single payment at least 15 minutes prior to the event by one designated contact person.

Cancellation: There are no refunds! If a Guided Tour reservation is cancelled by a customer for any reason, no refunds of deposits paid will be provided. Since full payment for these events is not due until the day of the event, the only funds typically at risk are the nonrefundable deposits made to hold the reservation. If a Walking Tour option is scheduled and severe weather prevents outdoor participation, the Presentation & Virtual Tour option may be offered instead at the same time as the original reservation was scheduled provided the Visitor Center is available; if the customer chooses not to take that offer, the original reservation will be considered cancelled by the customer and no refunds provided. If Kinstone cancels the reservation for any reason, a full refund of any deposits paid will be made within 5 business days of the cancellation.

Individuals or small groups may arrange day-retreats at Kinstone. We do not offer lodging or overnight accommodation. There are many hotels, motels and b-n-b’s within 5 to 15 miles of Kinstone.

Most small groups seeking a day-retreat will organize their own event and usually each person in the group pays admission to Kinstone for the day and the group pays a small rental fee for use of space here for various self-guided group activities like meditation, drumming, yoga, journaling, reiki sharing, or similar offerings.

Some small groups prefer a custom guided experience. Kinstone has several qualified retreat leaders who are available to plan, develop and lead day-retreat experiences at Kinstone for individuals, groups of friends, meditation or other practice groups, and even special retreats sponsored by employers for small groups in their organization. If interested in this offering, please inquire at least 6 weeks in advance to ensure enough planning time.

Please note that the gathering spaces we have are semi-private during open hours as the public is always welcome during published open hours. If a more private scenario is desired, groups are encouraged to request a retreat time and date that is outside of our published open hours. Multiple-day retreats are possible, but lodging must be off-site. Kinstone is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is a peaceful sanctuary where relaxation, reflection and meditation in, on and with the land and sacred stone spaces lead many to transformation and personal growth. Kinstone’s sacred spaces, prairie, fields, and forests where the paths beckon and offer an outward manifestation of each one’s personal journey of contemplation and spiritual discovery are perfect for retreat experiences.

If you or your group are interested in a retreat experience, please Contact Us for more information. Please use the subject “Retreat” in your inquiry; please indicate your name, how many in your group, approximate dates/times desired, the general purpose of the retreat, and whether you want Kinstone to provide a retreat leader or if you will be leading your own group. Once received we will review the request and get back to you to discuss, plan and schedule your experience.

The Way of the Stones – A Kinstone Pilgrimage

The Way of the Stones is a long, circuitous, sometimes difficult, walking path that winds its way around 15 acres of Kinstone to various waypoints at many of the stone features and ultimately leads to the Chapel of Creation. It offers a pilgrimage experience to those who seek to reveal and connect to the Sacred in their daily lives. An outer, physical journey can often be a mirror and magnifier of one’s inner, spiritual journey.

Individuals wishing to embrace this pilgrimage in a self-guided manner may obtain our small booklet, written by Kristine Beck, with a simple map, writing space, inspirational words and journal prompts to guide them as they take this personal, self-directed journey. Inquire about this booklet titled,  A Journal for Pilgrims on The Way of the Stones, for sale in the Kinstone Gift Shop.

Periodically Kinstone may offer special “Way of the Stones Retreat Experience” day-retreat events with various themes. These offerings include a guided pilgrimage experience along the “Way of the Stones” with a designated leader, a central theme, specific meditation and journaling exercises, as well as time to share thoughts and experiences with others in the group. Time for lunch and personal reflection is also included. These events require advanced registration and are typically limited to 9 participants. Watch the Calendar of Events for any Way of the Stones Retreat Experience events that may be scheduled. If you or your group is interested in scheduling such a guided experience, please inquire.

Groups wishing to arrange a customized pilgrimage retreat experience may contact Kinstone to discuss options. Initiate your request by sending an inquiry with the subject “Custom Guided Pilgrimage” using the Contact Us form. Thank you for your interest!

What is a Pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage is an intentional journey with a sacred purpose, often to a sacred place or place of personal significance. Every step along the way has meaning; challenges and obstacles may appear on the path. Helpers and guides may show up with aid and support unlooked-for. Sometimes it involves a long and arduous walk. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

Often a person makes a pilgrimage to a shrine or place of spiritual significance to them. In a more general sense, a person may make a pilgrimage to a favorite scenic place such as a breathtaking ocean view or a spectacular mountain peak or an ancient landscape such as Machu Picchu or the Great Pyramids. It has been said that the journey through life itself is the greatest pilgrimage.

At Kinstone, a pilgrimage may involve a short, mindful walk to a favorite spot or perhaps a day-retreat experience alone or with others that includes a contemplative walking journey along The Way of the Stones. Inquire about our booklet, written by Kristine Beck, called the “A Journal for Pilgrims on The Way of the Stones”, for sale in the Gift Shop.

Please contact Kristine Beck at the Kinstone office to discuss your interest in a tour, pilgrimage or day-retreat experience.  She will determine availability and address any questions you may have. It is best to call early, at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance of your desired event or 6 weeks ahead if you want Kinstone to provide a retreat leader for your group. Contact Kristine by submitting an inquiry via email through our Contact Us link with an appropriate subject such as “Private Tour”, “Pilgrimage”, or “Retreat Day”. Or, you may call the Kinstone office at 608-687-3332; please leave a detailed message if we do not answer the phone and we’ll get back to you within 2 business days! We look forward to hearing from you.