The Human Mycelium Retreat
Connect, and Cultivate the tools for Fungal Leadership!
Do you feel called to cultivate a deeper connection with your community and local ecosystem?
With the Human Mycelium Retreat, we want to empower emerging leaders like you, who feel the Fungal Call to make a positive impact on their human and natural communities.
We want you to have a greater sense of who you are and what you can offer the world. You have so many gifts to share! Find your own potential to transform yourself and the lives of those around you.
Feel more confident in growing your reach and your impact. You will notice a powerful and positive change in how you show up for yourself and others. You’ll be lit up by what feels possible, and well-resourced to get out there, to connect and grow!
You will leave the Human Mycelium Retreat with more clarity on your gifts and the areas for your growth, more ability to ask for and receive what you need, and a stronger sense of what matters most to you in the work you’re meant to do.
- Learn how to connect with your local human mycelium network, and build connections with fellow leaders from around the world
- Discover our deep connection to the Fungal Queendom 👑
- Cultivate skills and tools to be a more effective leader and community builder. 🌎
- Connect to like minded human beings who are called to spread the magic of fungal wisdom to THEIR community ✨
- 10 Days of Fun, Fungal Education and Connection 🎓
Live, Learn and Grow in Paradise
Tzununa, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Not a Course, a Retreat
This is not just a mushroom retreat, but a human retreat that integrates fungal wisdom into building human networks. We’re guided by the teachings of fungi as connectors of the forest to strengthen and empower communities and community leaders.
Education Vacation Destination
We are located in the Guatemalan Highlands, the heartland of ancient Mayan Civilization. We are surrounded by volcanoes, lush cloud forests, and the stunning lake. This is an uniquely inspiring learning environment.
Make Authentic Connections
Become a node in the mycelial network. Collaboration is the foundation of our learning environment. The more meaningful connections there are in a network, the stronger it is. By learning together with everyone, you weave yourself into a global web and form bonds that last.
Holistic Lifestyle
It's fun to live and learn together while we keep ourselves healthy and centered. Healthy food, yoga, nature walks, sauna, swimming, and meditation are some of the holistic lifestyle elements that help keep us nurtured and ready to lead.
What You Will Learn
A solid foundation of Fungal Wisdom & Authentic Relating
- Mycology, Fungal Ecology & Ethnomycology.
- Using the wisdom of fungi to create strong and reciprocal relationships within human networks.
- How to build community, relationships, and connection.
- Gain wisdom and tools to share more of what matters to you in the world.
- Grow as a leader in the emerging mushroom movement.
You’re growing now -
Do you feel called to be leading?
Learn from World-Class Fungal Facilitators
The world is going through turbulent times, and we are missing what we need the most during this proving of humanity. Good, kind, open-heartened, passionate LEADERS. We believe that by using the wisdom of fungi through Authentic Relating, we can create solid and reciprocal relationships within our human networks.
By connecting to like-minded human beings who are called to spread the magic of fungal wisdom to THEIR community, we will find that network of support that helps us help others to grow closer to nature and the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
We want to empower emerging and established community leaders to spread their vision and values effectively. We want you to feel confident and capable of creating community and enrolling others in the world you want to live in.
After the Human Mycelium Retreat, you will feel empowered, motivated, and supported to start making the changes in your ecosystem YOU want to see!
Testimonials
From Fungi Academy students
Morgan
"Authentic Relating is something I'm going to take with me for the rest of my life
and every single situation that I encounter..."
"The experience has has been phenomenal,
to be able to break down barriers and walls
and truly connect."
Evan
Human Mycelium Retreat Attendee
Testimonials
From Effective Connection Clients
Authentic Relating
Authentic Relating is a toolkit for effective relationships. Rooted in thirty years of behavioral science research, Authentic Relating provides a simple and powerful framework for leadership in any relational context, professional or personal.
The practices of Authentic Relating sharpen our skills to create deeper connections, build alliances, and navigate conflict. Facilitated as games, the training provided in this retreat is designed to build emotional intelligence and communication skills in a fun, playful and deeply connecting way. Level up your relational skills and make rich new friendships at the same time!
Vibe Check
Heres what you can expect from our Human Mycelium Retreat!
Get your Vibe Check Below ✅
Limited Spots Available!
For an optimal learning experience we have limited the group size to 16 participants.
To ensure our limited spots are available to a diverse range of people, we have decided to work with an application form.
After your application has been accepted by the Fungi Academy Family you are able to secure your spot by paying a $500, non-refundable deposit.
Human Mycelium Retreat
November 9-18, 2023-
Solid Foundation of Authentic Relating & Leadership Skills
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Deep Understanding of Fungal Wisdom
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Fungal Field Trips
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Three Gourmet Vegetarian Meals per Day
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Shared accommodation or Tent Camping Included*
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Extensive Workbook
*The early bird spots will be given to the first 4 participants that have paid their deposit.
**This price includes shared accommodation. Limited private accommodation is available for an extra fee.
Scholarship positions for this retreat have been filled 🙏🏼
Meet Your Facilitators
Jasper Degenaars
Netherlands
Fungal Facilitator
Jasper is a first-grade mycophile. His love for mushroom cultivation started in the Netherlands after growing his first mushrooms from ‘Sacred Mushroom Grow kits.’ Baffled by the mystery of the process, he set out on a journey to learn more!
With 10+ years of mushroom growing experience and more than 2,000 students taught since 2019, Jasper has set out on a mission to make learning mushroom cultivation Easy, Fun, and Exciting!
This Myconaut did not fit in the traditional academic system, AT ALL. Yet, his thirst for knowledge carried him on a path of life-long learning. With the skillset of a self-taught teacher, he aims to make the art and science of mushroom cultivation accessible to everyone aspiring to be a citizen mycologist.
Gabriel Derita
USA
Goal Whisperer
Gabe is a personal development coach & facilitator helping mission-driven humans live in alignment with their purpose.
He left his tech job to travel the world by bike, and in the process found his calling in coaching. He’s been working with the Fungi Academy leadership team since 2019.
His approach to personal growth is rooted in neuroscience-based CoActive coaching techniques and Authentic Relating, with a heaping spoonful of Japanese philosophy on top.
Gabe was born in Philadelphia and currently lives in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He’s passionate about cycling, foraging wild mushrooms, social/climate justice, and the transformative power of psychedelics. You can learn more about Gabe’s work, his story, and connect with him at his site www.effectiveconnection.com
Karena Beana
USA
Cosmic Community Operator
Karena has been a health blogger and influencer since she was 16. Her passion for wellness started at a young age when her parents grew ill due to poor lifestyle choices. When Instragram first released she jumped on board and decided to take the influencer route. She focused her time and energy into using this platform to spread positive and informative health and wellness tips that she learned through helping heal her parents from chronic diseases and illnesses.
She turned this passion into a career becoming 200hr+ Yoga Teacher, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach in 2016. As medicinal mushrooms became more popular online, she began to incorporate fungi into her practices and teachings, helping demystify and spread the magic of mushrooms
Produced by...
Effective Connection creates transformational growth for individuals, leaders and groups through powerful coaching and facilitation. They believe thriving is natural when we connect to what matters most. Their core values are curiosity, aliveness and authenticity
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Guatemala City (GUA) is the nearest international airport.
Travelling Economically
You can either take a shared shuttle bus or a private shuttle to get to Panajachel (the biggest town on the lake). From Panajachel, you can take a Lancha (public boat) to Tzununa. In Tzununa, you will easily find a TukTuk driver who will happily take you to the Fungi Academy! (Locals know it as the Ashram).
Shuttles to Panajachel can be found here
Private shuttle or car
There are plenty of private options available to take you directly to Panajachel or Tzununa on Lake Atitlan. You can either arrange one yourself outside of the airport terminal or book one through an agency at the airport.
As our student, we can help you organise a private car to the Lake!
Antigua: A beautiful town not too far from the airport full of art, culture, and amazing food, all surrounded by epic volcanos, including Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya. You can organise a tour to hike up Acatenango to get up close and personal with lava!
Maya Papaya is a beautiful and clean hostel with private and shared rooms. If you are looking for a spa getaway, we recommend Hotel Santo Domingo.
Our Restaurant list for foodies:
- Nana
- Kombu Ramen
- Toku Baru (epic falafel)
- Once Once (vegan)
- Porqué No?
- Caoba Farms (organic farm-to-table)
- Valhalla Macadamia Farms (homemade macadamia products)
Guatemala City: The location of the nearest International Airport. Hostel Villa Toscana has been recommended by our students who arrive late in the evening or want to stay close to the airport for an early flight.
Lake Atitlan: There is plenty to do on this beautiful Lake! Amazing sunrise hikes, climbing volcanos, swimming or paddle-boarding out on the lake, yoga, ecstatic dance, ceremonies, open mic nights, and so much more! You can take courses in Spanish, permaculture at Atitlan Organics or herbalism at Casa Curativa. You will find lots of variety in Tzununa, San Marcos or the other communities around the lake. Lush, Picnic, Maya Moon, and Eagles Nest, are all beautiful spaces to stay in before or after the course.
Other places to see: The ancient ruins of Tikal, the wonderous pools of Semuc Champey, the surfy town of El Paredon, or the jungly beaches of Livingstone… Guatemala is beautiful, ancient and wild!
For more accommodation options, you can check out Airbnb and Booking.com
Our course price includes shared accommodation in one of our neighbours’ rustic but comfy dormitories or in a tent.
Private accommodation, in a room or a teepee, is available for an additional fee, though it is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you requested private accommodation and are successful, you will receive an email from us confirming the additional fee.
Please let us know if you snore or are a loud sleeper – we will make arrangements to ensure everybody gets a good night’s sleep!
Accommodation begins on November 9th and ends on November 18th.
If you plan to arrive a few days early, you must let us know so we can confirm if there is availability to accommodate you before the course (there will be an additional fee for extra nights). Otherwise, you will need to find your own accommodation until the course starts.
Check-in time is 11 am, and check-out time is 12 pm.
Our own amazing jungle property is close to a river, filled with bananas, avocados, dragon fruit, zapotes and all the following amenities:
- Wi-Fi (sometimes spotty)
- Shared bathrooms and showers (hot water can be irregular in the jungle)
- Sauna
- Yoga Shala
- Library
- Hammocks
- Firepit
- In-house cinema
- Communal guitars, drums and ngoni
There is NO smoking, drinking alcohol, or meat allowed on our property.
Yes! All our meals are vegetarian by default (we get happy chicken eggs from our neighbours’ permaculture properties), and our in-house chef has no problems catering to your needs!
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Allergies
- Paleo
- Keto
There is no drinking alcohol, smoking, or meat allowed on the property.
On the first day of the course, only dinner will be served. On the closing day only breakfast will be served.
Please let us know your preference, and we will make sure your belly and body are healthy and happy!
Yes! There are dogs and cats at Fungi Academy (future new furry friends for you!). If you have allergies, please let us know as soon as you can so we can place you in an appropriate room.
This year we are introducing our new Decompression Package! For an additional fee you will be able to stay at Fungi Academy for some extra nights to relax and integrate after the course with accommodation, some meals, mind-body classes, massage, sauna and more!
Let us know if this is something you are interested in!
It is also possible that you could be able to stay on as a short-term resident after the course; however, we cannot guarantee your spot until you have arrived at the Academy and we’ve gotten to know each other! If you’re interested in this possibility, make sure to notify us when you arrive!
Guatemala is wild and free! You are coming on an adventure, there will be bugs, the dirt roads are windy and we cannot predict the weather – Come prepared!
It is recommended that you bring comfortable clothes for both warm and cold weather, a headlamp or flashlight, walking shoes, toiletries, reusable water bottle, journal/notebook, swimsuit, towel, sweater/rain jacket. It can get wet and cold in the afternoons. Ladies are recommended to bring reusable products, although it is not mandatory.
The currency of Guatemala is Quetzal. Currency exchange is available at the airport, any banks, and in some local markets in Lake Atitlan. There is also an ATM machine in San Marcos, the neighbouring town. Please come prepared with some cash, as there will not be much time to visit an ATM once the course has started!
Your deposit is non-refundable. If you cannot make it to the course, you can transfer to a Retreat/Course, though there will be a $200 transfer fee (unless you find a friend to take your place!). If you cancel less than 14 days before the start of the course, the transfer fee to a future course is $500.
There are no more COVID restrictions! You can enter Guatemala without a mask, test, or vaccination.
