Portals and Possibilities
Invitations, questions, practices & callings in a time of collapse
October 9-11, 2026 

A nature & soul retreat at Rolling Ridge, near Harpers Ferry,
With Jim Hall, Cheryl Hellner, and Lindsay McLaughlin 

Arrive by 3:00 pm on Friday October 9, 2026
Depart by 2:30 pm on Sunday October 11, 2026

Program runs from 4:30 pm Friday to 12:30 pm Sunday
at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat, near Harpers Ferry, WV

You must be able to arrive by 3 pm on Friday and leave after lunch on Sunday.

Rolling Ridge is 1,800 acres of wild mountain forest on a foothill of the Blue Ridge, lying between the Shenandoah River on the west and the Appalachian Trail on the east.  The retreat is two hours’ drive from Washington, DC, one and a half hours from Baltimore, and two hours from Harrisburg, PA.  It is six miles southeast of Charles Town, WV and ten miles southwest of Harpers Ferry.  Access is by vehicle only.  The last mile of the trip is over a gravel mountain road.

The accommodations are simple: a seven-bedroom Retreat House with two shared full bathrooms, and two half baths. We hope that some will prefer to camp in the woods just beyond the House. This would be a choice for more solitude and proximity to the wild, with access to all facilities in the House.  Campers must be able to bring and set up their own tent.

Meals are provided by a wonderful cook and are prepared in the Retreat House kitchen with fresh ingredients.

The retreat fees cover our costs for food and lodging and a modest honorarium for the leaders. Fees include lodging, six meals, and program. A $75 nonrefundable deposit is required.

  • $495 – individual room/single occupancy
  • $395 each – shared room (full or bunk) – We cannot match people. Please tell us the name of your roommate when you register. We have two rooms with a full bed and three rooms with a bunk bed (two singles one over the other) and one with a queen and a twin.
  • $350 camp – Bring your own tent. Experienced campers only.  Must be able to pitch your tent yourself in the woods near the Retreat House.  You will have access to facilities in the Retreat House.

To register, you must complete this registration form and complete your payment. You can make your payment online or send it in via check. 

Limited scholarships are available. Request a scholarship using our online scholarship application form.

Please consider donating to Friends of Silence to help make these retreats possible.

For more information, email Lindsay McLaughlin at lindsay.mclaughlin66@gmail.com

Please note: your registration is not complete until you have made your $75 deposit. Click here to pay online

PORTALS & POSSIBILITIES
PERMISSION & LIABILITY WAIVER
and
REGISTRATION FORM

Please let us know any Meals are home-cooked from fresh ingredients, served family style, and include vegetarian options. Please let us know any health-related diet requirements you may have.
Liability Waiver

In consideration of permission participate in activities during the retreat Creative Resistance taking place October 9-11, 2026 on land known as Rolling Ridge Study Retreat and Rolling Ridge Conservancy, I hereby take action for myself as follows:

  1. I agree to indemnify, defend, protect, and hold harmless Friends of Silence, Rolling Ridge Study Retreat, and the Rolling Ridge Conservancy, all retreat staff, volunteers, officers and directors, from and against all claims, judgments, demands, suits, costs, damages, and liability (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs) arising from, related to, or in connection with the occupancy of the premises or participation in any retreat program located at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat.
  2. I recognize that wilderness retreats by their nature may expose participants to risks inherent in the environment, hence I voluntarily assume these risks and agree to indemnify and hold Friends of Silence, Rolling Ridge Study Retreat, and Rolling Ridge Conservancy, all retreat staff, volunteers, officers and directors, free and harmless, from any liability for any loss, damage, injury or harm made, incurred, or sustained while using and encountering the natural resources of the property and adjoining wilderness areas, including, but not limited to rivers, streams, ponds, trees, wildlife, rocks and trails.
  3. Checking here counts as my personal authorization and signature