Hearty Roots is offering teen retreat weekends for, well…teens. “Hearty Roots teen retreats are a necessity (for) teenagers right now,” says Paige, a teen retreat participant, “School stress, trying to fit in, make friends, get homework in on time, long projects, social media, it's extremely hard to find ‘Zen’ or even just a time for your thoughts. Counselors…connect with you and talk about their experiences while listening to yours. That connection is just what my generation needs. Teachers teach, parents parent, but who’s there for you to talk to under the stars? Hearty Roots weekend retreats step up and give you a break from the scary, fast, modernizing world and get off the grid and into your heart.”  

Hearty Roots believes in learning in to all seasons, even the chilly ones. So, pack up your sleeping bag and your bravery to join us for a weekend outdoors from March 15 to March 17. The first weekend offering of 2024 will be open to all teens ages 13-17. Teen weekend retreats begin on Friday afternoon (around 3) and end on Sunday morning (around 10). Adventurers have plenty of time to build camp, get to know their woodland surroundings, and settle in on Friday afternoons. They’ll cook with peers, pitch tents, tend fires, and gather as humans. Saturdays are filled with exploration and discovery. Sundays are a time for reflection, packing up, feeling grateful, and returning home with a smile. Future offerings for spring are gender inclusive for all teens: April 12-14 (ages 13-17); April 19-21 (ages 11-12); May 3-5 (ages 13-17), and May 17-19 (ages 11-12).  

Retreats are held at Hart Woods in Bremen on 100 acres of pristine forest. The experience is designed to build friendships, bolster self-esteem, and build connection to the natural world. Teens will learn outdoor skills like carving; building and tending fires; discovering awe; hiking; reflecting; cooking; pitching tents; exchanging kindness; working as part of a team; exploring woodlands, and much more! Open to all teens, with age designations for each offering. Hearty Roots provides all snacks and meals. Gear (sleep mat, sleeping back, backpack, etc.) is available upon request. Like all Hearty Roots offerings, scholarships are available upon request. Contact haley@heartyroots.org with all your questions, excitement, and enrollment info.

For more information on upcoming events, Hearty Roots year-round programming, in-school offerings, adult saunters, supporting the organization, or sponsoring a child’s hearty adventure through scholarship, visit heartyroots.org. Looking for information on summer camp for your kiddo? Head on over to heartyroots.org to see all the great adventures that await. Sign-ups will begin in early March, and the website will be updated accordingly. The team at Hearty Roots can’t wait to join you in Maine’s wild, where journeys overlap.