Okay, adults, this one’s for you! On Saturday, May 10, Hearty Roots is offering an immersive experience to nourish your mind and body. The half-day “InterlUde” retreat is open to all female-identifying folks and begins at 1 p.m. at the Hearty Roots campus in Bremen. Upon arrival, you’ll be celebrated and welcomed with open arms. At 1:30, participants will set out on a Woods Wander, an approximate 2-mile leisurely hike meandering through old-growth hemlocks. The event will be led by Erin Quinley, Hearty Roots adventure mentor extraordinaire, along with Corinne Eisenman, a leadership coach and wilderness instructor. They’ll guide participants to breathe in fresh spring air. Feel buoyed by the company of strong women. Laugh. Wonder. Wander. Along the way, the group will forage for edibles, play games, and make time for reflection.

At 3, attendees will lean into their creative sides with some earth crafts, which could include rock painting or making bark bowls. By 4, all will gather to build a fire and enjoy the warmth of community. There will be an opportunity for participants to explore the woods solo, watch the lapping water at the edge of Biscay Pond, or journal during reflection time. Hearty Roots’ Campfire Charcuterie will begin at 5 and will consist of a light dinner of finger food to fuel your body around the campfire. There will be a gift for you to take home. And the gift of finding new friends. The gift of connecting with beloved friends. The gift of nurturing your full self.

“A Hearty Roots retreat is simple indulgence. Getting into the woods and away from the Mom to-do list is so restorative. I still think about the food and the incredible stories other women shared at my first InterlUde,” said Amanda Penny, a local mom turned Hearty Roots adventure mentor. “I returned home refreshed and relaxed!” Penny added. 

Hearty Roots is an organization guided by the power of relationships, the benefits of nature, and a practice of mindfulness, so it’s only fitting that its women’s retreats aim to put the "you" back in InterlUde.   

Join us for a half day of refueling and leave with your inner compass, grit and best self firmly refreshed. Feel guilty about investing in you? Take comfort that all proceeds raised from this event help ensure area youth can attend outdoor programs at reduced or no cost. Will you consider getting off the grid and into your heart? If so, hardy women will meet you there! Have other plans? No worries. Join us for Paddle for a Purpose on the Damariscotta River on June 14. Head on over to heartyroots.org for more information on InterlUde, Paddle for a Purpose, and youth programming. Or, stop by their office headquarters at 18 Water Street, an in-town presence made possible by the generous, community-minded team at First National Bank. Hearty Roots offers year-round programming, in-school offerings, and adult saunters—all under the canopy of the great outdoors. The team at Hearty Roots can’t wait to join you in Maine’s wild, where journeys overlap.