Saturday, March 26 – Sunday, March 27, 2022
9:00am Saturday – 12:00pm Sunday

$260 per person, ($220 for Friends of Pepperwood)
Ages 18 and up welcome 
Meet at the Bechtel House

In our modern lives, we process more information in a single day than our ancestors may have encountered over the course of years, or even a lifetime. Much of our relating comes through  technology, and at this busy pace we may find it challenging to connect with ourselves and others in authentic, meaningful ways.  Spending intentional time on the land creates an opportunity to shift into a different state of consciousness than the usual distracted, hectic pace. During this 2-day retreat, participants have nature’s invitation to slow down, reflect, and connect more deeply with themselves and the wild lands around them.

Throughout this retreat, participants will spend the most of their time outdoors, honoring the changing of the season from winter to spring and exploring the possibilities that lie ahead as the world awakens to this time of growth and renewal. Mindfulness and movement practices will be offered that invite slowing down and turning inward, shifting the inner rhythm to that of the wild. All will gather together to share in council and create intentions in preparation for time alone out on the land. Then, each participant will venture forth and meet the land of Pepperwood, where the invitation is to cultivate their relationship with the wild by listening to that which arises during their experience. Upon returning, guided practices will create space for inquiry, investigation, and integration of the experience. 

Catered Saturday dinner and Sunday continental breakfast are included. This retreat is based at the Bechtel House, a mountaintop cabin at Pepperwood with a wrap-around deck, campfire ring, and expansive views. Bring a tent to sleep under the stars or sleep in a shared bunk in the Bechtel House (for an additional fee). 

Health safety requirements: This event includes moderate hikes of at least 1-3 miles per day at a slow pace. The program will align with the current regional health guidelines. Due to the intimate nature of this event, proof of COVID vaccination will be required for all participants. If you do not feel well, please do not attend. In the case of cancellation due to health safety measures, refunds can be offered.

Facilitator Bio:

Erin Carper is a contemporary rites of passage and wilderness guide deeply informed by the wisdom of the body. In 2019, she completed the Somatic EcoPsychology and Wilderness Quest Apprentice Program with Amy Beisemeyer, MFT and Dave Talamo, MFT of Wilderness Reflections, during which she journeyed to Sequoia National Forest for a ten-day wilderness quest and shared a mirroring dance with a black bear. Erin is currently co-guiding with Amy as an apprentice for a women’s year long wilderness rites of passage program, and in August 2021, she guided this group of seven women into the backcountry for their 10 day wilderness quest in Sequoia National Park.

As a child, Erin had the gift of time in nature with her Grandmother, instilling in her a life-long love and respect for all beings and an endless curiosity for the natural world. After dedicating her life to the study of the body in motion first as a professional dancer and then as a Pilates, GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS®, and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease Instructor, Erin is following the call to bring others out into the wild  to deepen their connection to themselves and the Earth. 

Erin holds a BA in Liberal Arts with a focus in Dance from Saint Mary’s College of California’s LEAP Program and is currently a student of the School of Consciousness Medicine, where she is studying Hakomi, Earth-based wisdom, and holistic coaching skills to deepen her work as a guide. Erin is trained as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

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Register for this class using the secure form below.

To register, select the applicable level below, either General or Friends of Pepperwood and click +Add. On mobile devices, please scroll all the way to the right to find the +Add button. In the pop up window, enter your information and scroll to the bottom to click “Continue”. Next, on the main form, you may add your additional donation amount in the open field, then click the green “Continue” button to move to the final page for payment. Click the green “Process” button on this final page to complete your transaction. 

Early bird registration for Friends of Pepperwood begins at 9am on Monday, December 6, 2021. Enter the code you received as a current Friend of Pepperwood to access early registration and to receive your discount. If you’re not sure about your Friends of Pepperwood status or don’t know the code, contact Sloane Shinn, Community Engagement, at sshinn@pepperwoodpreserve.org or (707) 591-9310 x 133. Click here to become a Friend of Pepperwood today!

Registration for the general public begins at 9am on Monday, December 13, 2021.

For all questions about this event, please contact Holland Gistelli, Education Program Coordinator, at hgistelli@pepperwoodpreserve.org or (707) 591-9310 x 124.