Join Zoë Fay-Stindt and Jessica Turtle for a three-day outdoor adventure, paddling and camping along the pristine Namekagon River. Enjoy quiet writing time, playful moments, naturalist education, delicious camp-cooked meals, and summer campfires under the stars with new friends.
Zoë Fay-Stindt, an award-winning queer poet and essayist, will guide you through a land-based writing experience rooted in paying attention to ecosystems, cultivating care-full awareness, and embracing a slower pace.
Jessica Turtle, Master Naturalist, artist, and owner of Treehaus Studio and Paddlefish Adventures, will serve as your river guide and camp chef. With years of paddling and camping experience, she excels at creating welcoming riverside camps and preparing delicious meals to accommodate all dietary needs.
Open to all adults (18+) and writers of all levels. Advanced paddlers preferred; beginners are welcome and encouraged to take a river paddling lesson with Paddlefish Adventures before the retreat.
Friday, June 19th through Sunday, June 21st
What to expect:
Land-based reflective, generative writing prompts throughout each day, all rooted in the practice of giving attention to our ecosystems, care-full awareness, and slowing down
Ecopoetry and land-based readings
Guest naturalist talks to inform our noticing and writing practices with place-based wisdom about the ecosystems we're paddling through
Grounded, quiet writing time in an intimate and reflective setting, with room for play and experimentation. Solo time will be encouraged where possible, with opportunities to share work around the fire.
Optional feedback with Zoë is available on 3-5 pages of writing the week following the retreat for an additional fee. Participants can also sign up for an additional one on one with Zoë to talk about their work and explore areas of growth, expansion, and revision.
Schedule: Due to the nature of the experience, the daily schedule will be intentionally loose, making space for the unexpected. Our focus is on slow movement and observation, so we plan to navigate the logistics in tune with the experience.