Alnoba — Kensington, United States

Leadership retreat center on 600 acres of forest and art in Kensington, NH

In 1977, Alan and Harriet Lewis bought a small cabin called Beaver Dam, on 27 acres in Kensington, New Hampshire, from Alan's great uncle, Roland D. Sawyer. The land was rough, and it sat next to the old town dump. They bought the dump for a dollar, cleared it, and began restoring the forest. Over the years they built trails, restored stone walls, dug ponds and planted hundreds of trees. Sculptures, stones and benches now dot the property, honoring leaders and causes the family holds dear. The name Alnoba was chosen by their children, Edward and Charlotte, and comes from the Abenaki word for "the human journey." The landscape now covers 600 acres with 10 miles of trails. Alan founded Pinnacle Leadership and Team Development there in 1993. It began as a program for the family's own team and grew to serve nonprofit leaders and youth. Leadership offsites run one or two days and use the GRPI model (Goals, Roles, Processes, Interpersonal Relationships). A high ropes course of 10 elements, an aerial course across 24 platforms and 29 trees, and raft-building on the two ponds sit alongside the facilitated sessions. Guests stay in cabins and houses in the woods and meet in a Passive House-certified building or a restored 1848 barn. The property is closed to the public except for scheduled tours and programs. Those include artist-led walks through the outdoor sculpture collection, a sound bath, a Wim Hof Method workshop and nature therapy sessions. Alan Lewis died in 2022. His children sit on the board of the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation, which oversees the programs and the family's philanthropy.

Traditions: Sound Healing, Wim Hof Method, Nature Therapy, Mindfulness, Cold Therapy, Breathwork

Programs: Pinnacle Leadership and Team Development, Leadership Retreats (Offsites), High Ropes and Aerial Adventure Course, Water-Based and Land-Based Initiatives, Original Art Tours, Sound Bath Healing, Wim Hof Experience, Nature Therapy Session with Rooted Rose Recreation