Rooted

Group Weekends

The Rooted group weekends are at the core of our work. During this three-day experience you build a strong and lasting foundation for a more rooted life. When you join a Rooted weekend, you give yourself:

  • A three-day stay at De Hoorneboeg, surrounded by nature, with space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect.
  • Guided workshops exploring identity, belonging, home, and what it means to build a life across cultures, countries, or communities.
  • Practical exercises to better understand your values, life story, family history, relationships, and the choices that shape who you are.
  • Small-group conversations and listening exercises that create space for honest reflection, meaningful connection, and mutual support.
  • Time outdoors through nature-based activities that help you connect to your surroundings in a new way.
  • Inspiring talks from people who share their personal journeys of navigating change, layered identities, and finding a sense of belonging.
  • Creative practices involving movement, voice, storytelling, and reflection that help you express parts of yourself that often remain unseen or unheard.
  • Space to speak in the language that feels most natural to you and bring all parts of your identity into the room.
  • Fresh, nourishing meals inspired by the cultural backgrounds and stories of participants.
  • A diverse community of open-minded people who learn from one another and discover that, while every journey is unique, many experiences are shared.
  • Concrete practices, insights, and tools to help you continue building a stronger sense of rootedness long after the weekend ends.

Upcoming weekend dates:

  • 6-9 August 2026
  • 4-7 December 2026
  • 26-29 March 2027
  • 14-17 May 2027
  • 6-9 August 2027
  • 2-5 December 2027
Join a weekend

Those who have come before you

“I think that I, and many other migrants, idealize the idea of rootlessness. Through that, we deprive ourselves of those roots, because maybe we do not dare to aspire to the idea of belonging somewhere. It seems to have become an unrealistic ideal. Now I have come to realize: it is very human to belong somewhere. It is very healthy to explore that. And it is very beautiful if you can create that, no matter where you are. I think for me, it is part of growing to realize: I, too, may long for solid ground. At Rooted I am remembering that I am not the only one in that quest. That’s a liberating feeling.”

Kiza

Rooted participant, roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“I lived in many places and got a little bit from every place that I lived in. But I also do not really feel rooted in one culture, like I always felt like an outsider. People usually say, “I’m from that place” and that means they are rooted in that place. For me that’s not the case. The Rooted group weekend was eye-opening and gentle. Every exercise revealed something within me. We really walked the journey towards rootedness together.”

Idris

Rooted participant, roots in Sudan, United Kingdom and Egypt

“Everything at Rooted makes you stop and be with yourself, really. This brought me two main feelings that I was searching for. The first one is being connected with myself. The second one is being connected with people who are searching the same things as me in life. And when you find this group, it is like you feel home. It is like a gift for myself. I can be home again.”

Adriana

Rooted participant, roots in Brazil

Frequently asked questions

What are the costs?

We ask all participants to contribute on a donation basis after having participated in the weekend. Through fundraising Rooted will cover the outstanding budget. You decide how much this investment in yourself is worth and what you are able to contribute. We count on everybody to pay what they can, so that we can offer Rooted to as many people as possible. Together, we pay it forward.

Who will be the other participants?

Based on the applications, we will form a group that is diverse but also has the capacity to form a community that can relate to one another. We take all applications into consideration. We trust that applicants know best if they are in need of rooting, regardless of their nationality or residence status. This means that former participants of Rooted include people who have fled their home country, people who have come to the Netherlands for work or love, people who were born in the Netherlands and have lived abroad for a longer period of time, people who were adopted or people whose (grand)parents are from different countries, etc. The desire and need for rooting is universal. We currently only accept applications from people above the age of 21.

What language will we speak?

The main language during the weekends will be English and a basic level will be required. At Rooted we do encourage the expression as your full self and thus in your native language. There will be time and space in the program to express yourself in your own language. There will be Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Arabic-speaking facilitators and staff present.

Who will be facilitating the weekends?

The weekend will be facilitated by a group of four people who have experience and expertise in coaching, psychology, soft skill building and voice liberation, amongst others things. All Rooted facilitators are experts by experience.

What will we be doing?


We will be engaging with different dimensions of ‘rootedness’ through a range of methods, including workshops and storytelling. During the intake conversation we can provide you with more information.

What about food and housing?

You will sleep in a comfortable bedroom in a beautiful and peaceful location close to Hilversum, surrounded by nature. Vegetarian meals will be provided. We can accommodate your dietary preferences upon request.

Weekend moments

Beyond the weekend

While the weekend marks a big step on your journey of rootedness, we recognize that it is a life-long quest. It requires personal work, supportive relationships, and spaces where people can grow together, guided by common values. That’s why Rooted offers various ways to stay connected beyond the weekend, both virtual and in-person at different locations across the Netherlands. Those include:

  • Workshops guided by the 8 dimensions of the Rooted methodology
  • A quarterly newsletter with inspiration, updates and upcoming events
  • Social gatherings that strengthen relationships
  • A WhatsApp community to connect with the Rooted community

Check out our community events here