Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center
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  • Schedule
    • Open Jam
    • Community Dinner
    • Quantum Sound Healing Experience
    • Sourdough Bread Class
    • Line Dancing
    • Online Book Group
    • A New Year Retreat
    • Young Adults Weekend
    • Coastal Heart Retreat
    • Crafting Workshops
    • Crafter's Retreat
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    • Quilting Retreats
    • Dancing Jaguar's Spirit of Family Retreat
    • Soul Speak: Psychic Reading & Workshop
    • Awakening Spirits Fair
    • Beyond the Gender Online Course
    • American Society of Dowsers Conference
    • Work Week
    • Profound Treasury
    • Personal Retreaters Week
    • Sand and Stars
    • The Great Campout
    • Independence Getaway
    • RE Week
    • Choral Fest
    • GAYLA
    • Women's Healing
    • Family & Friends
    • Circles of Life
    • Company of Women
    • Circle of Music
    • Sacred Circle Dance
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Quilting by the Bay
    • The Beach Getaway
    • Labor Day Weekend
    • SOS Saco Bay Conference
    • NAAS Gathering
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Ferry Beach Schedule
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In The Company of Women
Sunday, August 16 - Saturday, August 22, 2026

REGISTER FOR 2026 TODAY!

LODGERS - Register here
COMMUTERS - Register here

Description
Workshops & Daily Schedule
Conference Leadership
Pricing
Description

Come relax, refresh and renew, … In the Company of Women,  where you can bring your full authentic self to be welcomed and appreciated by caring, curious, creative, supportive and friendly companions in a safe and loving environment.
We engage in meaningful, fun, and challenging experiences to discover more about ourselves, embracing each other in a friendly community of belonging; and appreciating each other for who we are deep down, beyond the many roles we tend to take on as women. Learn something new, rediscover joy, or safely share your grief, – embraced by a caring community. However you identify your sexual orientation (Gay, Bi, Lesbian, or Straight…), no matter whom you love, you are welcome here.
 
You can look forward to activities such as: drumming, dancing, nature walks, yoga, sharing our stories/building connections to our deeper selves and others, leisure time, reveling in sunny beach time, guest speakers and concerts, music, singing, writing workshops, and the time honored summer camp tradition of arts & crafts! Come explore and/or just BE.
 
The ocean waves, the intimate talks, the smiles and laughter; Ahhhh! You deserve this! Magic has been known to happen during “Women’s Week” as we truly express ourselves; and reclaim that Vital Spirit of Empowerment. Oh yes; as one participant said, “it’s like Soul Camp for the Feminine Heart!”

Note: We believe that no woman should be excluded due to lack of funds, so we have set up partial scholarships. There is also the possibility of a shortened stay or commuting for a day or more. In other words, a “no excuses” policy… because you’re worth it! To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the form here, by 7/1/25.
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Ferry Beach is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year (2026). Join us for an incredible year of celebration! 
“I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.”
~ Maya Angelou
In the Company of Women Newsletter
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September 2023 Newsletter
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August 2023 Newsletter
Workshops & Daily Schedule


​2026 WORKSHOPS COMING SOON!!

​

A glance at last year's schedule

A Glance at ​Last Year's Workshops..

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Conference Leadership

Coordinators:

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Laurie Benoit (she/her)

I am retired and live with my husband, Barry, in Western Massachusetts. I hold a BS in Non-Profit Management from UMass Amherst and have spent my entire career in higher education as a management and fundraising professional. My loves are gardening (I’m a Master Gardener), traveling, hiking, kayaking, volunteering, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. Making a difference in my community has always been a priority, and I currently sit on two boards in addition to my role as the ITCOW co-coordinator. I have three beautiful adult children and seven grandchildren, who are the light of my life, along with my true love and partner, Barry.

Sylvia Racca

I live in Orange NH with the love of my life, my dog Spot! I am helping to coordinate In the Company of Women because I believe passionately in the ability of this group to inspire, heal, enrich, enliven, love, support and bring joy to each woman who attends. I have experienced that myself. Professionally, I am the Executive Director of the Dartmouth College Fund, and have been in higher education fundraising for 30 years. When I am not working, I am reading as many books as I can put my hands on, cooking (think homemade pasta!), and hiking with my dog Spot. See you at Ferry Beach! 
Pricing
Conference Package
(Pricing per Person)
Conference Package for Lodgers:
(Includes conference fee/access to all programming, plus all daily meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner for the entirety of the week).

Adult: $564 

Conference Package for Commuters:
(Includes conference fee/access to all programming, plus daily lunch and dinner 
​
for the entirety of the week).

Adult Commuter: $462 

Meals are included, there is no way to separate meals from the package price. 
​Note: Lodging is not included in the conference package price, it's added on, the price varies depending on your desired lodging accommodation, see below. 
Lodging
View our Lodging Page HERE for more information/photos of lodging options.

Cottages/Cabins
Morris Cottage: $550  per night
Kelley Cottage: $515  per night
Claflin Cottage: $515  per night
Metz Cabins: $250  per night
Cross Rooms: $205  per night

Dorms:
Quillen Family: $170  per night
 Ocean Queen: $165  per night
Ocean Twin: $155  per night
Queen Dorms: $145  per night
Standard Dorms: $130  per night

Camping: 
$45-55 depending on site

*NEW* -  LINENS are now INCLUDED in your stay, for ALL lodging spaces in 2026! 
Membership
​Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. 
​
Individual Membership: $40
​Family Membership: $65

See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership. You can also renew your membership on your reservation.
Register
To register online click here, or call the office at 207-282-4489.
You can also email [email protected]. 
Scholarships Available: We believe that no woman should be excluded due to lack of funds, so we have set up partial scholarships. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the form here, by 7/1/25.

 Our Location

Ferry Beach is a beachfront retreat center in Southern Maine (Saco, ME). A respite away from the everyday world, with 32 acres including porches, a wonderful dining center, volleyball court, playgrounds, art studio, meeting spaces, an outdoor chapel and of course the beach! ​
Learn More

 Lodging

Choose the desired lodging accommodation that works best for you/your loved ones. We have a wide variety of cabins & cottages, dorm rooms (single/double/family size) and campsites to choose from. ​
View Lodging

What to Expect

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Looking for suggestions on what to pack, wondering what your experience will entail and all other details regarding your stay? Click "read more" below to help you prepare. Standard arrival check-in for retreats is 4:00pm and room check-out is at 10:00am.
Read More

Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love. 
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.  
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Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center is a 501(c)3 membership organization. 
Our mission is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.  We accomplish our mission through work in the areas of
​arts & culture, education, spirituality, sustainability, personal growth and justice & action.
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Copyright © 2024
Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center
5 Boardwalk Drive, Saco, ME 04072 - Our Address has Changed.  Click here to learn more.
​phone 207.282.4489  • fax 207.690.4800
​
[email protected]
Privacy Policy
​Accessibility Statement
Email Webmaster
  • Home
  • Organization
    • Governance
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Interest
    • Staff
    • Work at Ferry Beach
  • Membership
    • For Members >
      • Strategic Plan
  • Giving
    • One-Time Giving
    • Sustaining Gifts
    • Donation Pot
    • The Beachkeeper Program
    • Quillen Shinn Society
    • Memorial Garden
    • Endowment Fund
    • Scholarship Program
    • Capital Campaigns
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • History
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
  • Schedule
    • Open Jam
    • Community Dinner
    • Quantum Sound Healing Experience
    • Sourdough Bread Class
    • Line Dancing
    • Online Book Group
    • A New Year Retreat
    • Young Adults Weekend
    • Coastal Heart Retreat
    • Crafting Workshops
    • Crafter's Retreat
    • Winter Vacation
    • Quilting Retreats
    • Dancing Jaguar's Spirit of Family Retreat
    • Soul Speak: Psychic Reading & Workshop
    • Awakening Spirits Fair
    • Beyond the Gender Online Course
    • American Society of Dowsers Conference
    • Work Week
    • Profound Treasury
    • Personal Retreaters Week
    • Sand and Stars
    • The Great Campout
    • Independence Getaway
    • RE Week
    • Choral Fest
    • GAYLA
    • Women's Healing
    • Family & Friends
    • Circles of Life
    • Company of Women
    • Circle of Music
    • Sacred Circle Dance
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Quilting by the Bay
    • The Beach Getaway
    • Labor Day Weekend
    • SOS Saco Bay Conference
    • NAAS Gathering
  • What to Expect
    • Our Facility
    • Our Retreats
    • Our Dining Center
    • Our Accessibility
    • Our Policies
  • Lodging
  • News
    • Discovery
    • Maine Storm & Climate News
    • Blog
  • Plan a Gathering
    • Gathering Spaces
    • Planning Resources
  • Store