UNPLUGGED FAMILY RETREAT! JULY 25-30 2025! TAKE ME THERE!

JAMES FUNNYHAT

JAMES FUNNYHATJAMES FUNNYHATJAMES FUNNYHAT

JAMES FUNNYHAT

JAMES FUNNYHATJAMES FUNNYHATJAMES FUNNYHAT
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    • HOME
    • PROGRAMS
      • Birthday Parties
      • School Programs
      • Child Care Programs
      • Events & Festivals
      • Summer Camps
      • Unplugged Family Retreat
    • PODCAST
    • CONTACT
    • MORE
      • Video Gallery
      • Photo Gallery
      • Quotes
      • Clients
      • FAMILY CAMP FLYER
      • UNPLUGGED Registration
  • HOME
  • PROGRAMS
    • Birthday Parties
    • School Programs
    • Child Care Programs
    • Events & Festivals
    • Summer Camps
    • Unplugged Family Retreat
  • PODCAST
  • CONTACT
  • MORE
    • Video Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
    • Quotes
    • Clients
    • FAMILY CAMP FLYER
    • UNPLUGGED Registration

James Funnyhat's unplugged family retreat JULY 25-30 2025

Is this you? It's gonna be your Dream Come True.

  • If you are a nature loving parent who loves the idea of a family retreat that allows a balance of time to yourself, time with your kids, and fun and inspiring activities for everyone in an off grid, natural paradise,
  • If you long for simplicity, quiet, and time for digital detox - to turn off the gadgets and turn on the wonder, 
  • If you look forward to family time and a chance to meet new friends in a child-friendly, sober environment, 
  • If you think boys and girls benefit from being just a little ‘free range,’ 
  • If you love the silence & peace in the magic of Ontario’s rocky shores, 
  • If games, arts, forest adventures, stories and music by the fire with James Funnyhat sounds like heaps of fun,

         You will love JAMES  FUNNYHAT'S UNPLUGGED FAMILY RETREAT 2025

STARRY LAKE DARK SKY OASIS JULY 25 - 30, 2025

Imagine This

You are in a most special land of ancient rocks, crystal and cool deep water, where the air on a sunny summer afternoon is rich with the scent of warm pine needles, and the mossy forest trails beckon.  

Where the only sounds are the sounds of the river flowing, the frogs, the song birds, evening loon calls and laughing happy children.  

Your family is here. Soaking in the sun on the dock, jumping in the fresh clean lake water, adventuring around the trails, toasting marshmallows by the fire and singing songs with James Funnyhat himself, making new friends and sweet memories. 

James Funnyhat'S UNPLUGGED family retreat is soon!

Time is flying! It's later than we think! So jump on the boat with us today.

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YOU HAD ME AT HELLO!

TIME FLIES!

Join our mailing list so you can be the first to know about our next great family events!

Oh yes! Keep me in the LOOP

What will it be like?

YOUR HOSTS

YOUR HOSTS

YOUR HOSTS

James Funnyhat is here, with his family too! Mrs Kat Funnyhat, one of the original Three Funny Hats, is also here with her talents and love of nature, art, music, theatrics and fun.  Kat  is a mom, and an "extra mom" to many. She has enjoyed a long career as a personal development coach and is also a Nurtured Heart Approach certified trainer, so she really has spent a whole lot of time learning how to bring the best out of young people- and everyone! There is a high probability you will also discover the Funnyhat Kids- Sage  and Reed who are pretty grown up now, and lucky enough to have James Funnyhat as their dad. ( James did not write this! ) 


Got questions about the retreat?! Call us! Happy to chat!

Learn More

ENGAGE!

YOUR HOSTS

YOUR HOSTS

Throughout the day, there are lots of chances for the young ones ideally between 4-12yrs, to head off with James or Kat to discover fun stuff in the woods, or to chill out and do art, play, or sing songs.  Yes, there will be songs by the fire for sure! 


Each day Kat and James will host a good balance of easy and relaxed activities to keep things fun and exciting, and to help You get a little quiet space. Because guess what? Our kids are grown up now! And we remember what it’s like to just need a little rest! 

We know an uninterrupted coffee can be pure bliss.

And we also know how great it is to spend time as a family together, without an endless stream of demands and activities. We will aim to hit the goldilocks zone- just enough excitement, not too much. 


SLOW DOWN

We know how awesome it is to just sit on the dock in silence and watch the sunset.  Or to take a quiet paddle down the river to see the beaver dams, to slide up silently to take a peek at the loon’s necklace.  Or to wake up early when the mist still hangs over the water, before the birds sing, to smell that fresh cool air that carries all the forest freshness in her breeze.  We know how magical it can be to spot your first firefly, or to discover the glowing roots of a tree in the woods at night, or to gaze up at the sky with so many stars that you lose yourself in the wonder of universe.  We know and love those questions that nature inspires, the excitement and the delight in children’s eyes and minds when they get plugged back into mother earth’s battery.  

TRULY RELAX

This family retreat is more than a typical family camp. It is a carefully balanced opportunity to truly Relax and to let go of the intense pressures of life, to release ourselves from those relentless, results based, ‘left brain’ oriented regimens our kids are overwhelmed with, even in their play time.


This gathering makes space to slowly watch a butterfly or to float a leaf down the river. It makes space for slow meandering, like the streams that wander through the forest. It allows real decompression and a kind of slowing down we all so desperately need. 

IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING! Perfect for Kids Ages 4-12
I CAN'T WAIT! YES Sign me UP!

WHY YOU SHOULD COME

This experience is curated for parents like you. Because you know, deep down that you need to slow down, to decompress, and to make a space for relaxed and happy family time. You know that you feel better when you turn it all off and let yourself and your kids BE. You know how great it feels to dive into that cool water and float around watching the clouds pass by. You know that recharging happens when you really exhale, and stop running around. You want to treasure some time with your kids before they are all grown up before your eyes.  

Our Promise

You will go home more balanced and at peace than when you arrived.  Nature will do the work for you- we know it will. All you need to do is to show up, to let go, and exhale.   You will have made new connections and your children will have had a blast.  Memories will be made that will last a lifetime.

MAKE RICH NEW CONNECTIONS

You will meet kindred spirits

You will meet kindred spirits

You will meet kindred spirits

A lot of us parents know what it feels like to be totally burnt out, wishing we had more quality time with our children, longing for a holiday that doesn’t leave you needing a holiday.   This retreat is an answer to that real need. A gift to your children and to You.  


What kind of people does this gathering cater to?   This unique gathering will attract kindred spirits who share your same love of nature and desire for joyful, stress free time with your kids, unplugged and plugged in to what matters. There is a good chance new friendships wtill spark that might last far beyond these days at Starry Lake.  


Perfect if your kids are between 4-12 years old. The kids fill make friends too! 

SMALL IS SPECIAL

You will meet kindred spirits

You will meet kindred spirits

This Family Retreat at Starry Lake will host a maximum of 12 families. We want it to feel warm and intimate- a great group of friends enjoying precious time together, with a whole provincial park to ourselves! Keeping it small means keeping it intimate and cozy. It allows a vibe that is a little quieter and more chill- but definitely not less enjoyable! Nobody will get lost in the crowd here... maybe lost in thoughts, or lost in the clouds...


At this family retreat each person will get warm attention and care.   We want each person to feel seen and appreciated, to have a chance to relax without pressure, to share quiet moments, to engage fully and to discover new things about the natural environment, themselves and what inspires them.  



JAMES FUNNYHAT & STARRY LAKE AWAIT YOU!

OH YEAH! WE ARE IN!

WHY UNPLUGGED?

We've all now heard the phrase “Sitting is the new smoking”, but the real ‘smoking of our day’, maybe the most threatening to our, and our children's mental health, is the endless stream of dopamine triggering doom scrolls that plague our days and rob our children of the tranquility of their natural contentment. 

The data shows the excessive screen time leads to depression and anxiety – and we know that we ought to shut them off more.   

If you are a grown-up and need to take a quick call or respond to  a message, we get it. And we know you will want you to take pictures too- but we ask that your hand held interrupting machine is kept off as much as possible. Save your brilliant social media posts about this gathering till you get home please! 

After a day or so, going "device free" it feels like the most natural thing ... Because it is.    The only screens you'll find here are screened porches so you can linger in the evening without bugs bugging.  The entertainment is nature and playful outdoor fun.  


Now is time to truly discover that time in Nature is the most marvellous remedy.  Ahhhhhh, that's better. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

You and your family will sleep in delightful canvas ‘glamping’ tents on comfy mattresses, or maybe you will want to try a star gazer tent that allows you to open up the roof so that it's all screen and you can lie in bed and star gaze, or maybe you will want a little more 'cottage' and prefer to upgrade to Starry Lake's Sunray Cabin.  Let us know your preference and we will do our best to accomodate you. First come, first choice! See sign up forms for accomodation prices.

FOOD Glorious food

Each day, three meals will be provided. The aim is to go fresh and simple, nutritious and delicious!


In the spirit of ‘many hands make light work’, we will all take turns pitching in to help our chef with prepping or washing dishes.  Children too can take part and can discover that chopping veggies or making oatmeal or cleaning up can be fun and rewarding.  Oh yes, it can be!  Many great friendships are born in the kitchen. 

READY TO JUMP IN?

I am so ready for this!

this is fantastic!

Here is what you'll experience at this marvellous Family Retreat


* An unforgettable experience in the awesomeness of nature’s playground at Starry Lake

* A precious time to Unplug and reset the mental balances with time off the screens

* A chance to truly unwind and decompress and to enjoy time with your family

* A wonderful opportunity to make new friends and learn new things

* Joyful activities to keep young minds alive and bright

* Moments that will turn to Memories to cherish

* Adventures in glamping – Tenting fun that will spark family core memories!

* Easy nutritious meals that don’t require you to shop or plan or to spend a whole day in the kitchen

* Sun rises and Sunsets that will whisper to you that All is Well

Starry Lake Dark SKY OASIS

Starry Lake Dark Sky Oasis is a property that is absolutely rare and stunning. It is totally private and tucked away in one of the darkest remaining sky zones in the world. That means that on a clear night you will see the milky way draped across the sky and if the breeze is still, the glassy lake will reflect a picture of the universe you will never forget. The property wraps around the entire lake, so there are no other neighbours, just the birds, beavers and frogs who will sing you to sleep.   And yes- this is an actual picture of Starry Lake! 

Sign up today and join us! 

We'd love to share time and space with you this summer.   

Funny, when you get lost in space you forget about time! 


OMG SIGN ME UP

MOre Fabulous PERKs at StarrY Lake!

Children ages 4-12 will SHINE!

Children ages 4-12 will SHINE!

Children ages 4-12 will SHINE!

Happy Kids Happy Mum! 

The Unplugged retreat will hit the sweet spot for kids ages 4-12.  Those who already know James Funnyhat will be thrilled to hang with him and to discover that he as much fun off stage as he is on! ( Again, James Funnyhat didn't write this!) But seriously... 2 of the "OG" Three Funny Hats music group as your hosts means we've left the 10000 hour mark in the dust when it comes to having fun with kids.  That means YOU get some breaks!  WHOOHOO! 

HOLY WATER

Children ages 4-12 will SHINE!

Children ages 4-12 will SHINE!

The drinking water at Starry Lake is so amazing you'll want to drink this water forever! We have two deep drilled wells on the property and the water is truly superb! It has been tested by labs and by the discerning pallets of many fine folks.  The water here is as amazing, pure and delicious as it gets!

Glamping Loos

The facilities at Starry lake offer all the closeness to nature of a true off grid camping experience but with some important comforts.


There are composting toilets and a very charming outdoor shower for when you hunger for some hot water. Of course there is also the pristine and faboulous private lake to make you feel fresh, alive and super clean.

wonderful WILDLIFE

Tracking is a really fun activity at starry lake. There are always lots of animal tracks to find... bunnies, squirrels, little mice and chipmunks will leave their tiny foot prints in the mud and you might see those little foot prints if you look closely. You will for sure meet the cute squirrels and chippies. You might see deer or moose prints too, but they usually are very shy and they hide away from humans most of the time. You will be very lucky if you actually spot a deer or moose.  At night you might hear the evening chorus of the coyotes, accompanying the frogs and loons, but also you are unlikely to see one. In almost five years we haven't been lucky enough to see a bear- most likely we won't! None of the bigger animals want to get spotted by us. But you can spot lots of different birds and it is really fun to learn their songs. 

Take me to STARRY LAKE, JAMES!!!

BRING ON THE MAGIC

I AM READY TO JUMP IN

A father's SOliloquy

Time Goes So Fast

I love being with my kids but time goes so fast it’s hard to find quality time. I want time this summer where we can just be together without having specific requirements, but I’m tired too and don’t want to have to be constantly stimulating them. I would love it if our vacation had some time where they could have some independence.  

That reminds me of my kids - they have so much time online and it’s so hard to escape it! I tried to cut down on their screen time but they just don’t seem to know what to do when they don’t have a device in their hands. I’m concerned. All the studies say it leads to depression and and difficulty focussing. I want them to have an experience where devices are not an option - they just aren’t there to pick up. Not from their friends, not from their school, not from anywhere. It’s not that I think they should never use them but I just don’t want the digital world to take over EVERYTHING. And if I’m being honest, I need a break from checking the news, my socials, email and everything else - I need to unplug just as badly!

We all need Peace

People never used to have these devices and they seemed to be more happy than us. I would love for my kids to just go outside and be in nature, to watch ants, catch frogs, and not be incessantly stimulated. But if I send them to camp it will just be more stimulation with every moment being programmed and planned and no down time. Isn’t there something we can do that has a balance between structure and quiet time? Where they can learn to make shelters and paddle a canoe but also just hang out and watch clouds? Isn’t that what the experts say is good for our mental health? And again, if I am being honest, I need that too. What about playing cards on a rainy day? And hide and go seek? And watching the sun go down? And seeing stars?

There is something so powerful about nature but we just never get a chance to experience it. I would love for them to learn how to just enjoy themselves outside and not need to be wired in to some weird new digital world. And they never seem to get a chance to do anything even slightly dangerous. I don’t want them to drive a truck at 10 years old like my grandfather but many kids don’t even get to hold a knife or walk to their friend’s house anymore. I don’t think it’s good for them, they should be able to take risks of some kind or they won’t be able to handle the stress when they are older.

Where are "Our People"?

Are my wife and I the only ones that think like this? All the experts seem to say we need time in nature, to reduce screen time, to have more family time, for kids to practice their coping skills - but we don’t meet too many people who talk about these things. I would love to meet other people who want to have more of these experiences too.

Where can we find an experience this summer that addresses all the concerns that I am having this soliloquy about? Where oh where? Hey my phone dinged and it’s a message from James Funnyhat about the Unplug Camp…maybe this could be it?!?!?

you read my mind!

A mother's Wistful longing

Oh, if I could hold for longer the tail of that elusive sweet grace that lands at story time.

To hold it just a moment longer, to let it linger.

To feel that magic farewell as the sun sinks down over the still lake on a summer evening.

To hear only the symphony of frogs and crickets, the evening song of birds and call of the loon,

the crackle of the fire and the sounds of children laughing.

To breathe a moment, inhaling the freshness of air that has been washed by ten thousand trees, pure and gently perfumed by the cedar and moss. Air so cool and clean in the morning, as the lake’s morning mist hovers in the light of the rising sun, warming in the day, carrying that heavenly scent of hot pine needles basking in the light and glow.

Oh to not be rushed. To lay down the demands to be anywhere or do anything but Be.

Together, with ease, new friendships blossoming in the rare space allowed.

To have that precious shared time with my husband, my children and so deeply importantly, 

with my own soul, the inner life that yearns for that grace of the quiet moments. 

Moments that seem to be able to stop time, if only for that tiny moment, this moment, here, now. 

Moments when the snapshots become clear, the value becomes enhanced, the gratitude swells.

Gratitude for all that we have and can do and be. For all the good that my children can experience and become.

For a moment to step away from all that doesn’t belong, up and away from all that is unnatural and warped, to simply step into the truth of the sun, the moon, the earth and the heartbeat, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, 

family and friendships, the babbling brook, the rustle of the leaves, the wonder of it all, 

draped under the blanket of stars that whispers to us stories from eternity.

Oh to linger longer in that awe of story time, to hold the tail of that elusive, sweet grace.



Come and find us, make some space for the magic quiet graced moments 

with the rising sun, the crackling fire, the starry wonder. 

Write some new family stories, allow space for the moments that turn to memories, that make us want to linger longer...

I've read it all, and It sounds like heaven

THE UNPLUGGED FAMILY RETREAT begins soon

We will be thrilled to see you at Starry Lake!

I am SOLD. see you in JULY!

OMG I LOVE THIS!

I need to know all about what is happening at Starry Lake! Please add me to the mailing list!

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Did you hear about the new UNPLUG FAMILY RETREAT?

JULY 25 - 29, 2025

INFO HERE