In the heart of the Catskills, Boheme Retreats offers more than a scenic getaway; it’s a healing space intentionally designed for rest, and while it is for everyone, it operates with Black women in mind.
Founded by Keva Niver, Boheme launched in 2022 with three vintage campers. By 2023, it had evolved into a full-season glamping experience, and in 2024, the team introduced Retrofolk Summer Camp, a curated retreat designed to make the outdoors more accessible to Black and Brown women. And in this case, “accessible” means curated.
“We found it was hard for people to navigate all the little pieces,” Keva says. “So Retrofolk was us taking what was already happening and making it easier, especially for solo travelers who might be nervous about being in nature alone.”
Each session features wellness instructors, Black and Brown women primarily, who guide attendees through a catalog of restorative activities. Sound baths, yoga, nature hikes, foot baths with wildflowers, or whatever skill the practitioners bring to the table are offered daily. Sounds plush, but this isn’t just about glamping, it’s about making it easier to unplug, especially for a demographic who was never taught how to.
Beyond Instagrammable moments, the wellness program at Boheme reflects research-backed practices that support mental and neurological health. A 2025 study in Frontiers in Public Health showed that culturally adapted mindfulness programs significantly reduce stress in Black women, changing their cortisol levels even after the program is over.
But why a retreat? Why doesn’t a trip to the local nail shop for a pedicure or a massage have the same effect? According the Keva, it’s about being forced into rest; something a lot of Black and Brown women need. No phones, no emails, no deadlines, no pings or dings, just rest.
“One of the big things with women is that they feel like they’re not allowed to rest because there’s this idea like we always have to be so busy,” said Keva. She went on to say that a lot of her Boheme campers haven’t had an excuse to turn off in a while. But there among the trees and stream, there’s nothing to do but surrender, read a book, and turn off.
For many Black and Brown women who attend, it’s their first time in nature, their first time tubing or sitting by a fire. While some may scoff at the idea of glamping, and avoiding the “rough” part of “roughing it,” Boheme Retreats offers another type of survival skill — belonging in a place that might otherwise feel overwhelming. “You can show up and know that you’re not the only one,” says Keva, “I think that’s a huge first step to finding comfort in a place you typically wouldn’t.”
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