Finding Inner Ground
a Wild Belonging - mini retreat!
Slow down, breathe deep, and connect to the earth around you
How can tending a fire teach you about your inner vision? How might moving across a rugged landscape reflect back to you your own edges? What opens up when you invite nature in to support the questions you hold about your life?
Finding Inner Ground:
Time outdoors regulates the nervous system, reduces stress, and eases symptoms of anxiety and depression. It’s proven to help with ADHD, AND it even enhances creativity. But more than that, we are part of the natural world whether we acknowledge it or not. When we spend intentional time connecting with the nature around us, it will reflect back who we are within our strength, cycles, stillness, wildness, messiness, hunger, and beauty. Nature reminds us of our belonging and can return us to our Inner Ground. See below for details:
Wild Belonging:
Within each of us is the knowing of a more connected way of moving through this world- one that supports our full aliveness AND our stillness. Finding Inner Ground is a mini-retreat and nature immersion of engaging in soulful practices to return us to inner ground. In community and on the land we will explore, get real, and remember our belonging to this great whole.
Camp out:
This event is ‘not a big deal’. It doesn’t require you to be an outdoorsy person OR someone
Dates:
May 12-13, 2024 - Wilder Connections Camp out. To register contact: carly.joynt.counselling@gmail.com
Finding Inner Ground
Wilder Connections: Camp out!
This program is a soulful exploration of connection: to nature, to self, and to a like-minded group of fellow wild hearts! It weaves practices of nature connection, mindfulness, somatic work, ritual, and the good old-fashioned magic of sharing in a group. Although the day will be cocreated by the group dynamic AND what’s happening in nature youcan expect some of the following:
Connecting to your senses/ getting into your body
A radically accepting environment for you to explore what’s on your heart
The whole day spent outdoors, breathing fresh air and getting some dirt under your nails!
Mindfulness practices
A fully guided experience with solo time and group sharing
access to a Wood Fired Sauna
Practices of nature connection
Intentional and loving reflection from your guide
Camp Fire
Touching, smelling, tasting (yes that’s right), diving, basking, rolling in—filling your whole heart and senses with nature!
Logistics
Where: Black River Farms, Madoc ON
When: Mid May for the spring flowers,
Time: May 11th at 11 am to morning May 12. Getting you home just in time to celebrate your favourite mothers!
What to Bring?:
Weather-appropriate clothing
Backpack (to carry your stuff)
Water (at least 1.5L)
Medications (if applicable)
Journal and pen
Lunch/ snacks/ whatever you need to keep you going for a day outdoors
Seasonal items, which may be addressed in the welcome email for each program
What’s Included:
Fully guided program
Camping spots
Dinner and light breakfast
Group and solo explorations
Movement class
Camp fire (weather permitting)
Spring water
Access to a wood fire sauna
Cost: This is a sliding event from (see below for details)
Group Size: Group is limited to 12 people/ event
To Register: contact Carly at carly.joynt.counselling@gmail.com to arrange registration and e-transfer.
Themes:
April: Melting into Spring—-New Beginnings—-Wild Plants
April 16, 2022
June: Summer Solstice—-Fireflies—-Community Fire.
June 18, 2022September: Harvesting Gifts—-Equinox—-Balance
September 17, 2022October: Letting Go—-Tending Roots
October 19, 2022
Depending on interest, extra dates may be added
About your guide
Carly has spent the last 15 years in a long-term relationship with nature. From her ecological studies at Fleming College, to her time teaching survival skills to kids, all the way through to her stint running back-country camps for teen girls, nature has housed her work and her heart. After all, they say if you want to learn about secure attachment—-go to nature! Carly has studied nature-based community building and rites of passage through the Art of Mentoring, and brings this influence to her current work as an Integrative Counsellor and Somatic Group Facilitator. Whatever the work she is doing, Carly strives to bring a radical acceptance to those participating. When not running programs, Carly can be found taking dips in wild bodies of water, writing emo poetry, and going on road trips!
Commonly Asked Questions:
Who is this program for?
Anyone 18 or older. Hint: if you’re still reading, this program is likely for you! NO YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A NATURE NERD TO COME TO THIS PROGRAM*** Nor do you need to be a camper, avid outdoors person, or have any type of formal experience to be welcome here. Nature is healing because we are nature- it’s a mirror and it’s home base.
What kinds of issues can Nature Therapy address?:
The beauty of nature connection is that it works to meet you right where you are. This is why all folks are welcome. You might find yourself in the midst of a drastic upheaval or moving through a life stage transition. Maybe you’re asking some big questions about your life, or tending a loss or a new beginning. You could be struggling with some emotional content or past wounds, OR you could just be looking to ground and de-stress. Wherever the starting point, nature therapy can support you.
“The land knows you, even when you are lost”
Robin Wall Kimmerer