Marea Kavanagh

My path to Camp Joy Retreats has unfolded through many chapters, each one shaping how I think about connection, healing, and what it means to truly feel joy.

For more than fifteen years working in the restaurant industry, including seven years as a General Manager, I developed a deep appreciation for creating memorable experiences. Great food, beautiful spaces, and thoughtful hospitality have a way of bringing people together, and I loved watching how a shared table could spark conversation, laughter, and connection.

​Another part of my journey came through my experience as a mother to a son with special needs. That chapter opened my eyes to many healing paths and led me to study practices that eventually became central to my life, including homeopathy, yoga, and meditation.

​For the past twelve years I have worked as a Homeopathic Practitioner, supporting individuals and families on their healing journeys. It has been a privilege to walk alongside them as they rediscover balance, resilience, and wellbeing.

​The final nudge that led to Camp Joy Retreats came after a serious car accident. During my recovery, one thought kept returning to me: this is not the dress rehearsal.

Life is meant to be lived fully, with presence and intention. That perspective became part of the heart of Camp Joy.

Today, along with designing the program with my sister, I lead the Inner Joy sessions, creating space for women to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what brings them joy. These gatherings often become some of the most meaningful moments of the retreat, where conversations deepen and new insights emerge.

​Camp Joy Retreats brings together the things I care about most: connection, reflection, and the simple but powerful experience of women gathering together in beautiful places.