2-Day Olympic Peninsula Nature Connection:
Fall Retreat
Have you been scrolling nature-rich social media accounts or reading wilderness memoirs and wishing you could ditch the corporate grind or city pace for a weekend and immerse yourself in the peace and pace of nature?
We’ve designed a two-day outdoor experience just for you that includes the following and more:
Guided Olympic Peninsula Hikes (3-5 miles)
Sensory Meditation and Sit-Spot
Intro to Firemaking/Outdoor Cooking
Intro to Plant Identification and Bird Language
Nature Games
Reading the Land’ Walk — Wildlife Tracking Basics and Geology
A small group experience (up to 12 people)
Let yourself unwind during our day-long adventures. Dive into the richness of the surrounding ecosystems, learning about the local birds, plants, and geology. Group nature games will help connect you to the adult’s lost art of play. We’ll also be practicing wilderness skills such as wildlife tracking and fire-making, as we move upon the land.
Every step of the way, you’ll be invited to sink deeper and deeper into the natural world with all of your senses, nurturing a profound sense of belonging and harmonizing yourself with the land around you.
Come stretch your arms, legs, and senses with us and fellow nature enthusiasts who share your passion for exploration and discovery!
Optional: Friday evening - Orientation
Day 1 - Morning native bird walk (basic id and intro to bird language) and picnic lunch (byo) on the beautiful Duckabush River (we have access to this cherished land due to our ongoing partnership with the Jefferson Land Trust). We will also delve into fire-making, have a mid- afternoon snack involving wild edibles, take a ‘reading the land’ walk (which will include tracking basics), and revisit native birds and bird language. Making connections will be the thread that runs throughout our day.
Day 2 - Morning sit spot, opening senses, walk to another hidden gem nestled in the Olympic Mountain range. Fire-roasted food prepared to augment your sack lunch. Medicinal and edible plant walk, integrating/closing.
Retreat Details
Friday, October 25, 6:00 - 8:00pm (optional)
Saturday, October 26, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, October 27, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend area
Instructor: Scott Brinton, with
Guest Instructor: Katy Bowman
Tuition: $395
Ages: 16+ (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
Lodging not included. Click here for local lodging options.
What to Bring:
footwear and layers for being outside
small foam pad to sit on (or piece of tarp or lightweight chair)
snacks/lunch/water bottle
small notebook (Rite in the Rain might be useful, if you have it) and writing utensil
pack to carry everything
optional: binoculars and field guide
Meet Your Instructors
Scott Brinton, Lead Instructor
Scott believes the best way to honor our life is to learn as much about the natural world where we reside. He obtained a Masters in Natural History and Education and became an instructor for the Wilderness Awareness School. From 2005-2010 he worked seasonally on a citizen science project collaborating with the Nez Perce tribe in Idaho using track and sign to monitor wolf populations. He currently lends his local knowledge to the Olympic Cougar project. He also serves as the Executive Director of CedarRoot School, where he has taught and organized youth and adult programs teaching hundreds of participants the art of tracking and wilderness skills.
Katy Bowman, Guest Instructor
Katy is a biomechanist and movement instructor specializing in ancestral movement habits: walking, carrying, ground-movements, climbing and clambering. She is the founder of the movement education company Nutritious Movement as well as the author of many books on natural human movement. When not speaking or writing on the importance of movement to the body, community, and environment, she is probably taking her kids to nature school, walking to get somewhere or doing dishes.
www.nutritiousmovement.com