An Invitation to Slow Down
Come experience the autumn landscape of Cortes Island through taste, touch, scent, sound, and sight.
From October 11–15, 2026, Shíshálh educator and Indigenous knowledge keeper Candace Campo joins professional chef and food educator Cheryl Chang at Hollyhock Cortes for an immersive exploration of the forest and intertidal shore.
Together, we will slow down, awaken our senses, and learn to read the seasonal landscape before gathering and cooking from it.
Beneath the Autumn Canopy
Under the forest canopy, we will look for seasonal mushrooms and wild edibles that flourish in the cool days of October. Depending on conditions, we may encounter chanterelles, hedgehog mushrooms, lobster mushrooms, and other gifts of the forest floor.
These guided walks are about more than identification. We will practise observing before harvesting, noticing relationships within the ecosystem, and approaching the land with curiosity, gratitude, and care.
Where Forest Meets Sea
Along the tidal edges of Cortes Island, we will explore coastal plants, wild sea vegetables, and shellfish.
Participants will learn about edible seaweeds such as kelp, sea lettuce, and bladderwrack, as well as the respectful harvesting of local oysters and mussels. Weather and conditions permitting, there may also be an opportunity to forage for Dungeness and Red Rock crab.
The shoreline becomes a place to learn, gather, and understand the flavours that have sustained coastal communities for generations.
From the Landscape to the Table
Candace will share knowledge grounded in Coast Salish culture, history, and relationships with the natural world. We will explore how plants, fungi, seaweeds, and other natural materials have been understood and used for food, medicine, and technology.
Cheryl will bring these locally gathered ingredients into the outdoor kitchen, sharing creative cooking techniques, global flavours, and practical approaches to preserving food with minimal waste.
Together, their teachings connect cultural knowledge, sensory awareness, and joyful experimentation.
A Hands-On, Sensory Experience
Throughout the program, participants will take part in guided forest walks, intertidal exploration, outdoor cooking, food-medicine making, nature-based artistic activities, and forest wellness practices.
This is not a checklist of things to collect. It is an invitation to become present, trust your senses, and develop a more meaningful relationship with the places that nourish us.
Come with an open mind, a spirit of curiosity, and a willingness to let the landscape guide the experience.
Who This Experience Is For
This program is for anyone seeking a grounded reset through nature, food, culture, and community. It offers space to learn new skills, awaken creativity, and reconnect with the intelligence of the body and the living world.
Participants should be prepared to spend time outdoors, including walking over uneven or rugged terrain. Supportive footwear and clothing suited to a variety of fall weather conditions are strongly recommended.
Before You Arrive
The program begins at 6:30 PM on October 11 and concludes at 1:30 PM on October 15, 2026.
Participants must purchase a three-day Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence covering October 12–14, 2026. The fishing licence is not included in the program price. A $60 program material fee is included in Hollyhock’s package pricing.
Registration and accommodation packages are available directly through Hollyhock.