WILDERNESS RETREATS
Whether you are looking to be nurtured by nature or like a challenge, we have a retreat for you.
Research shows that after just 3 days in nature, our brains perform 50% better at problem solving tasks.
When you spend time in nature you feel better. Your head get’s clearer, your nervous system starts to settle, and things seem to fall into perspective.
Given the constant demands on your attention, and effort it takes to stay grounded, some time to disconnect and get perspective would be nice.
Whether you are looking to:
Forge a new career path
Heal a broken heart
Build a community of nature lovers
We got you.
If what you want is to feel more confidence and clarity, extended time in nature is a great place to start, so check out our upcoming retreats below.
How To Pick The Right Retreat For You
Wild Minds offers daylong retreats, 3-day glamping style nature retreats, and backpacking adventures. Here is a quick way to see what each trip entails at a glance.
LOCATION
We hold retreats all over the U.S. (and BC, Canada coming soon!)
DURATION
Our retreats are anywhere from 1-day to 7-days long
GROUP SIZE
Generally the group sizes are small between 8 - 15 people
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Low
Camping in one place
Medium
Backpack 4-6 mile to camp
High
Backpack 6-8 miles daily
SKILL LEVEL
Low
Minimal outdoor skills taught
Medium
Some backpacking skills taught
High
Advanced backpacking skills taught
MEDITATION LEVEL
Low
Mindfulness weaved throughout
Medium
Some guided meditation
High
Daily guided meditation practices
Upcoming Wilderness Retreats
2024
5-Day Backpacking Adventure | Oregon | May 28th - June 2nd
SOLD OUT - Click here to check out the trip page
8-Day Backpacking Adventure | Pictured Rocks, MI | Aug. 17th - Aug. 24th
Wild Minds Programs Are For You If…
You’re an outdoorsy type, but you value a curated experience with others where everything is taken care of
Sipping your morning coffee around a fire while sharing openly with other humans sounds scrumptious
You want to feel more confident and competent hiking, camping and backpacking
You want to feel more comfortable facing challenges and taking risks
You love personal growth, and want your time in nature to be more intentional
You’d like accountability and support in sticking to your goals
Wild Minds Programs Are Not For You If…
You just want to learn how to tie knots and set up your tent
The thought of going a day without showering sounds impossible
You’re just looking for a budget way to go on adventures
You are simply looking for a support group and not a place to be challenged
You are looking for a group or community centered around a specific issue
You are looking for a group of like minded people as opposed to a group of people who offer different and new perspectives
What To Expect On Every Retreat
01. GATHERING IN CIRCLE
The practice of gathering in circle is ancient. Staring into the fire or gazing at a blanket of stars as you listen from the heart and share from the heart can be soul replenishing, and is often a highlight for people.
This is a time to explore questions you are turning over in your head, not necessarily to come to an answer, but to offer them up to the expansive landscape of the earth, and practice the art of listening for the reply.
02. SOLO
One of the truly magical elements of retreat is the 24 hours you’ll spend in silence — dropping in and listening as you hike.
You will be invited to let go of conversation with others and enter into a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
You will receive guidance in setting your intentions and processing your experience, so you can engage with nature in solitude, knowing the group is there to support you along the way.
03. SKILL BUILDING
At Wild Minds, we're all about honing both "soft" skills like patience, kindness, self-compassion, and communication, and "hard" skills such as backpacking and wilderness cooking.
These two sets of skills enhance each other beautifully. Embracing a beginner's mindset as you learn to set up camp can cultivate patience, while extending kindness to yourself as you climb a steep hill at your own pace enhances the triumph of reaching the top. It's all part of the enriching journey.
What others are saying
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Alexandra Cinazan
“Backpacking was something I’ve always wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t have all the info and resources to do it on my own. Zoe’s retreat was a great opportunity to learn the basics of a backpacking trip. Besides the amazing opportunity to meet some lovely women that I can now easily call sisters. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life!”
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Jimmi Williamson
“I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to reconnect with the natural world but also reconnect with themselves. Zoe and Stephanie created a safe and supportive environment for us to learn the ins and outs of backpacking basics. But most importantly they provided an uplifting and meaningful experience I will forever treasure.”
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Jillian Lydell
“If you're thinking about this trip - just do it. It is tough in some ways but the beauty and support and your own inner strength and growth make it worth it in every way. Zoe and Jennifer are incredible guides that have experience, tenderness, humor, wisdom, and the ability to teach you all along the way.“
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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If you book and cancel the trip within the sign up period you can receive a full refund minus $100 processing fee.
If you cancel after the deadline to sign up, March 8th, there are no refunds.
This is because the trips are very small in size and arrangements are made based on group size on the final day of sign ups.
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We will be hiking between 4-8 miles a day, with weight.
If you have never backpacked before, it’s challenging, but that’s part of the fun! You get to work with your mind as it resists hiking uphill, and know what it’s like to push through.
Leading up to the trip it is a good idea to go on some longer hikes with a weighted backpack to get your body ready for the trail. I will offer suggestions for how to train if you don’t live somewhere you can easily access hiking.
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We provide backpacking meals that are lightweight and easy to cook in a group.
Once the group is formed we will work together to pick meals that are within different peoples food requirements.
Don’t worry if you have restrictions, we can work with you to figure out what you need to feel good on the trail.
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The follow backpacking gear is included upon request. Make sure to have your requests in by the deadline.
Backpacking Gear
backpack
tent
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
The rest will be your personal gear which you will be responsible for. I will share a packing list that will include things like water wicking hiking clothing, a hydration pack, and warm jacket. The most important thing will be making sure you have good hiking boots that are broken in.
Hiking Boots
One of the biggest medical issues that shows up while backpacking is blisters.
This can be reduced by breaking your boots in early and going for hikes with weight before the trip.
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The great outdoors! Don’t worry though, I will teach you everything you need to know in order to have a 5 star bathroom experience while backpacking.
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There will not be service where we are going.
Part of this experience is going completely offline. During our group calls we will talk about the value in going offline and ways to prepare for the trip and integrate back to cell service and email after the trip.
For safety I will have a gps tracking device which I can send and receive messages on in case of an emergency. Included in the videos is information about safety and communication.
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The group calls are a really important part of this experience. For this reason, I will send out a survey to find days & times that everyone can commit to.
On these calls you will get a chance to
connect with the other wild women
practice mindfulness and self-compassion techniques that you will use on the trail
plan how you would like to prepare mentally and physically
ask questions about packing and gear
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This is a substance free trip. There is a focus and emphasis on deepening your relationship with yourself and the land. It is also an opportunity to expanding your capacity to be with the ups and downs without turning to substances.
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ACCOMIDATIONS
If you are traveling from out of town I suggest flying into LAX and booking flights for the day before the trip and after the trip.
The evening before the trip…
I have reserved a few double bed rooms at a local inn for the evening before the trip. This will allow you to arrive and settle in so you can be at the trail early the day the retreat starts.
The evening after the trip…
I rented an Airbnb close to Ojai so you can come off the trail, shower, do laundry, and relax before heading home.
TRANSPORTATION
We will help coordinate transportation and connect you with other participants who are traveling from out of town.
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The group is small and intimate so I want to make sure this is the right trip for whoever signs up.
On the interest call we will talk about what you want to get out of retreat, the challenges that might arise, and if this is the right trip for you.
It is also a time for me to answer any questions you might have.
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This trip is for those over the age of 18. There is no age limit on who can come on this trip.