About
Into The Woods
Our History:
Into the Woods is a family owned and operated business that began in 2008 as a scrapbooking and crafting retreat for groups of women. Every weekend during the school year, our property—nestled in the incredible beauty of the West Michigan riverside—would be brimming with laughter, connection, community, and of course, lots of crafting. We were so glad to be able to bring people together so they could create memories and experience joy in the home that had been in our family for generations — hand-built by my father.
Year after year, the retreat groups grew and we quickly evolved into not only a crafting retreat destination, but a getaway destination for families, groups, and individuals to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and spend quality time together. Now, we have expanded to several more locations, both on the original Retreat House property and throughout Michigan.
And, recently, we’ve evolved even further.
Our company now not only includes retreat and vacation rental destinations, but we’ve also grown to offer 1:1 coaching, personal and professional retreat experiences, whole life wellness resources, and transformative events and workshops.
We believe this creates the perfect blend of resources to help families, business, or individuals blend connection, growth, community, and the unhurried life they’re looking for when visiting one of our spaces, or booking a retreat or coaching call.
Hi, I’m Mercedes!
Founder and Owner of Into The Woods.
In addition to being a retreat specialist, I am also a therapist and leadership coach.
It is truly an honor to carry on my dad’s legacy. He taught me the value of connection, growth, and building a business, and his love for the land and good gatherings is infused in everything we do.
Our Mission:
In today’s world, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily responsibilities. From work commitments to family obligations, the pace can leave us feeling stretched thin—often at the cost of our own well-being.
At Into The Woods, we understand the strain of maintaining this constant balance. We see professionals and leaders wrestling to keep up, all while juggling personal lives that require just as much energy and care. The result is often a life lived on the surface—efficient, yet empty of deeper satisfaction and connection.
That's why we've created a space where you don't just visit; you transform. For families and teams, Into The Woods offers more than a retreat—it's a complete reset without the stress of planning and prepping. Here, you can simply arrive and immerse yourself in the tranquility and support of our environment. Forget about the logistics of a family gathering or a corporate retreat; we handle the details so you can focus on reconnecting and rejuvenating.
Our mission is to provide a sanctuary space and professional support so you can:
Learn about your true self and your collective strengths in a setting that inspires introspection and shared experiences.
Grow as individuals and as a unit, finding new ways to enhance personal and professional dynamics.
Connect deeply with family, friends, or colleagues—building relationships that are nurtured by shared moments of discovery and relaxation.
We believe that by stepping away from the everyday and into our retreat spaces, you can forge a new path toward an authentic and joyful life. It’s about more than finding peace—it’s about creating it together, nestled in the pristine beauty and calm of Into The Woods.