I’m a Birchwood adult!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a Disney movie, but I would not identify as a “Disney Adult”. I do however feel it’s maybe along the same lines when I confidently declare:
I AM A BIRCHWOOD ADULT.
ALL. CAPS.
“If you lose the power of wonder, you grow old, no matter how old you are. If you HAVE the power of wonder, you are forever young - the whole world is pristine and new and exciting.””
Our annual Adventure Awaits retreats at Birchwood Wilderness Camp are my Roman Empire. I day dream about this wilderness excursion often. When I’m in it, I’M SO IN IT. When it’s over… I’M SO SAD.
That said, I’m happy to report that I brought my “second day retreat energy” to my first day back home. I started my day out dancing in the morning with my kids, and kept that dancing energy as we went to the park, back at home (my 3-year old even told me to stop dancing…lol!), and then I went to the grocery store by myself and danced the aisles with my earbuds in. The grocery store worker stocking bread gave me a polite little *ahem* when she noticed me. I just kept on groovin’.
This “ second day retreat energy” became a joke with session 2 retreaters because we told them we were trying not to scare them on their first day!! Our vibes were HIGH when we said goodbye to our session 1 retreaters. We had SUCH A GREAT RETREAT! But then….greeting new people just a few hours later for our second retreat is a rollercoaster emotionally. We couldn’t contain our excitement for all the fun that was about to go down. Our level of enthusiasm didn’t yet match up with our newly arrived retreaters and their “excited-yet-tired-from-a-long-travel-day” energy.
You see…. There’s something magical about Birchwood Wilderness Camp. If you’ve been, you know what I’m talking about. Everyone there says it’s the people, more so than the place. And it’s true!
But Birchwood has got a loonnngggg history of holding something extra special. It’s also set up as a wilderness haven/playground. Permission to pause, be present, notice, and PLAY.
Birchwood Wilderness Camp is the headquarters of true fun. According to author Catherine Price, “true fun is the confluence of three elements: playfulness, connection, and flow.” This setting is a perfect playground for adults to experience fun in its raw form.
“True fun is a state where you are actively engaged, unburdened by self-criticism, sharing a special experience with others, and enjoying a light-hearted attitude toward the activity.” - Catherine Price
When we first retreated at Birchwood 6 years ago, we said it reminded us of Neverland. That still stands true today. When I go there, I’m a kid at a play. I am allowed to dance, sing, swim, paddle, hike, explore, and sleep well in the fresh air. Leaving Birchwood hurts my heart. Returning is a joy.
One of our returning alum retreaters said to me, “you either have a great trip or a great story”. I know for a fact that we had a wonderful mix of both on this retreat.
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
-Mary Oliver
More on a podcast episode!
To share more about this retreat, I’d be honored to invite you to an audio experience! We are featured on Minnesota’s very own, Paddle and Portage podcast!
Here is our blog recap on being featured on the Paddle and Portage podcast.
Thank you SO MUCH to our retreat team for delivering yet another set of outstanding Adventure Awaits retreats. It is truly a pleasure to work with you, know you, and play in the wilderness with you.
Want to join us on the edge of the Boundary Waters in WINTER?!
The excitement of the New Year, fresh snow, cross country ski + snowshoe trails, sledding hills, twinkle lights, delicious meals, lakeside sauna + ice hole cold plunge, cozy wood fireplace with giant windows in our yoga space….ahhhh, winter wonderland abounds.
