In our grasshopper and salamander days, who among us didn't ask why the grasshopper could jump so far -- or why the salamander had black dots on its orange body... We lived by wonder, for by wondering we were able to multiply a growing consciousness of being alive.
Richard Lewis, Living by Wonder
This retreat is designed as an inter-generational experience of nature, including:
- Campfire stories and songs
- Nature arts and crafts
- Discovery hikes and nature play
- Stream strolls, tree hugs, and animal encounters
Rolling Ridge Study Retreat has a six-bedroom retreat house on 1400 acres of wilderness in the foothills of the Blue Ridge between the Shenandoah River and the Appalachian Trail. We also have a campground for those wishing to introduce their children to a tenting experience. Deer, turtles, birds, frogs, butterflies, and grasshoppers call these hiking trails, woodlands, streams, waterfalls, and open meadow Home.
Leaders: We share a passion for nurturing children’s relationships with the land and all its’ beings. Luke Bauer is a wild food forager, woods walker, certified permaculturist, and delighted dad of four-year-old Wren and one-and-a-half year-old Gael. Linda DeGraf is an artist, storyteller, and educator with thirty years’ early childhood teaching experience. Scot DeGraf brings a lifelong love of nature and extensive experience with outdoor education, hiking, camping, mountaineering, and birding. Cheryl Hellner has been guiding children and adults into rich experiences of nature, ceremony, art, and story for twenty years.
The retreat begins with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Friday (arrive anytime after 4pm) and concludes with supper on Saturday. Delicious home-cooked meals provided. Overnight lodging will be in the Rolling Ridge retreat house or in the campground.
Fees: $145 for adult and child together in the retreat house. $130 for adult and child together in the campground
To register and for more information please contact Scot at 301-275-2009 ~ scotdegraf@gmail.com or Linda at 301-789-9097 ~ lindajdegraf@gmail.com