NOMIWOMAN SPOTLIGHT Meet Kathleen LaTosch of Water & Woods Water & Woods is an 80-acre retreat property in Kaleva, Michigan, surrounded by lake, woods and meadow. For founder Kathleen “Kat” LaTosch, the vision has been a lifetime in the making—rooted in decades of experience working with teams and groups and a deep belief in the centering power of the natural world. What inspired you to create Water & Woods? Water & Woods has been a dream project for probably my whole life—from my first day at Camp Chippewa Bay in the 1980s. Today, it’s built and grounded on three decades of professional experience in team building and group facilitation, along with a deep belief in the centering power of a connection to the natural world. But it wasn’t until we were coming out of the pandemic that we really decided to go for it. People were thirsty for a reconnection to self, to purpose, to the things that matter in life. And that’s even more true today. People are tired of all the noise—the electronics, social media, the growth of artificial intelligence, drones. They’re beaten down by conditions in this country—the violence, the pain, the polarization. People need a true break from the noise so they can hear their own inner voice. I believe each of us already has our own answers. We simply need some space and the right conditions to tap into them. And the heavier the load you carry, the harder it is to hear that voice. We want this to be a safe space for people that lightens their burdens long enough so they can quiet the noise and hear their inner truth again. Why Kaleva? We chose Kaleva because it offered the right property at the right time and under the right conditions—a beautiful, serene space on the water, located in a quiet community that had a gas station and a grocery store, not too far from major metropolitan areas and located in Northwestern Michigan. We had been looking for two years, and Kaleva hit all the marks. You have this beautiful 80-acre property with a lake, woods and meadow. What was it about the land that made you think, “This is the place”? It was my wife, Jen, who said, “This is the place.” Her mom had recently passed away, and it had been a long and beautiful but also painful caretaking road. She said, “Let’s go look at this place.” And when we got there, she said, “This is the one.” The lake was a big part of the draw, but also the serenity of the land, the beauty of the trees, the roll of the meadow and the endless wildlife. It felt like a nature preserve from day one. There are so many different things people can do during a retreat—from kayaking and hiking to meditation, art and swimming. What’s your favorite way to spend a day there? I would do all the things. A walk in the woods helps me breathe again. A slow paddle around the lake is meditative. A soak in the spring-fed lake feels detoxifying. An hour spent meandering in the meadow brings me back to wonder. Listening to the call of the sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans puts it all in perspective. Learn more about Water & Woods |
