This story was originally Centre County Gazette.
Many people travel to places like Mexico and Costa Rica for yoga, spiritual, fitness and wellness retreats in beautiful outdoor settings, and this August, one such retreat will be held closer to home: Wellness in the Wild at Penn Roosevelt Lodge in Rothrock State Forest, just above Penn Roosevelt State Park.
Event organizer Jen Dashem was inspired by the retreats and festivals she’d attended in the past to plan a weekend packed with yoga, meditation, hiking, campfires and even hula-hooping in the great outdoors.
“You know, our kids go to a lot of summer camps, but as adults, it’s hard to go,” she says. “I felt that way when I went to a retreat in Mexico last year, and I thought, ‘I want to do this more locally, so people who can’t go abroad for a week can enjoy it.'”
A range of instructors will present a variety of yoga experiences, mindfulness training, plant and herb education, cacao circles, sound meditation sessions and a Saturday night dance party featuring music from Anchor & Arrow, a popular local musical duo made up of Dashem and her husband Matt.
“It’s going to be very soothing because we have such a diverse range of presenters. You’re going to come away refreshed, reinvigorated and maybe even looking at things differently,” Dashem said.
The retreat will run from noon on Friday, August 16th to noon on Sunday, August 18th. Participants can camp in tents, share a bunkhouse (women only), or rent a private cabin. All meals prepared by vegan chef Elaine Meder-Wilgus are included. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.
“Just have some interest in yoga, the outdoors or any natural therapy,” Dashem said, explaining that participants don’t need to be experienced yoga enthusiasts to enjoy the retreat.
Though the schedule is meticulously planned, Dashem points out that all sessions are voluntary — above all, she just wants people to come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
“If someone wants to come and chill in a tent the whole time, wade the creek, go hiking or mountain biking on their own, whatever,” she said.
The deadline to register is Monday, August 5th, with a limit of 50 participants. Costs are $375 per person for tent camping, $475 per person for bunkhouses, or $2,500 for a private cabin that sleeps five. Day passes are also available for purchase for $250 per person. Pets and children under 18 are not allowed.
For more information or to register, visit jennydyoga.com/wellness-in-the-wild-retreat or contact Dashem. [email protected].
