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Welcome to our inaugural Wild Writers Backcountry Writer's Retreat! We've partnered with a group of amazing professional writers who are just as excited as we are to share their craft with you in the best writing space we can imagine: the great outdoors.
Our retreat is open to writers of all levels and backgrounds! Join us whether you're a daily writer, or whether it's been years since you put pen to page.
The broad focus of our retreat is personal narrative, however this can take many forms. Drawing from personal experience and the world around us, we invite you to write about anything that inspires you.
WORKSHOP FLOW & DETAILS:
Working with professional writers Astra Lincoln, Adam Sawyer, & Owen Clarke, we've designed this personal narrative workshop to give as much hands-on instruction as possible. Each day will be filled with a wide array of writing activities, including a themed group seminar by Astra, Adam, or Owen, small-group work and collaboration, generative prompts, one-on-one time with our writing faculty, daily reflection, and evening campfire sharing..
Days will also include ample reflection time and creative breaks to participate in other activities: from fly fishing instruction, to guided foraging, hiking, swimming, watercolor painting, photography, hatchet throwing, and more.
Our workshop will be both generative of new work and include opportunities to work on an existing piece. Let us know upon booking if you have specific goals you're hoping to achieve through our workshop.
WORKSHOP TOPICS:
Adam- "The Value and Power of Vulnerability in Your Writing"
We all strive to create a deep sense of connection with our readers. There might be no better way to foster authentic connectivity than through our own vulnerability. In this workshop, we will discuss the power of vulnerability in our writing and some methods for developing and employing it. We’ll also touch on things to keep in mind or consider when telling stories and conveying emotions from such personal places.
Owen- "The Pitch-to-Publication Pipeline"
This workshop provides a practical roadmap for the working writer. We’ll cover how to craft a scannable, engaging pitch that editors can’t ignore, navigate the reporting process, and manage the freelance workflow — from the greenlight to the final edit. Learn how to transform your writing expertise into earned income and published clips.
HIKE & CAMP DETAILS:
Our deluxe camp will already be setup upon arrival!
Hike to camp is ~ 5 miles & <1000' of elevation gain
Optional day hikes will be between 3-6 miles RT and max 1000' elevation gain
With camp already set, carry a backpack with only your personal items (clothes, toiletries, etc.), sleeping bag, and a portion of group food. Heavy group items (kitchen gear, tents, cots, etc.) will be waiting for you at camp. Backpacks on trips like these typically weigh between 15-30lbs. Contact us with any hesitations or questions. Gear porting may be arranged for an additional fee.
😀 Bring a friend and both receive $100 off of your trip! Email us to redeem 😀
Hike 4-6 miles into a deluxe backcountry camp for a long weekend of an immersive writing workshop in nature. Hone your writing skills with award-winning experts as you reconnect with the wild, your own inner-wild, and those around you.
Our 3 professional writers will lead seminars, small group collaborations, and one-on-one mentorship. Participants will have the opportunity to workshop existing work and generate new ideas through feedback, prompts and creative exercises.
Wine & Dine in true Go Wild style on chef-prepared locally sourced meals, sipping craft cocktails and mocktails under big Eastern Oregon skies.
Enjoy daily seminars by our writing team with prompts to facilitate creativity. Come away with new writing but also dust off current or old work to workshop with our pros.
Pack only your personal items and a sleeping bag- the rest of camp (the heavy stuff) will have already been packed in for you!
DISCONNECT: explore Oregon's largest wilderness free of distractions with local professional guides. There's no cell service here.
3 award-winning writers to lead sessions including 1:1, small group, & campfire talks
Local, professional, naturalist guides from Go Wild
Daily group, small group, and 1:1 time with our writing faculty!
Camp Chef & Bartender
All meals, including coffee service and cocktails, excluding lunches
Pre-set Deluxe Camp: tent, pads, group gear, kitchen, etc.
Hiking gear as need- backpacks, trekking poles, sleeping bags ($40 cleaning fee)
We'll send you a packing list upon booking
A note on tents: for solo travelers, let us know if you would like to / can share. This decreases our impact on the land.
Camp games, activities- we are professional wilderness fun facilitators
Giveaway and commemorative gifts!
Night-photography workshop for those interested
Professional photographer & download link to photos
Meet & greet evening before
Space for connection, reflection, new friends, and an experience of a lifetime
Transportation to and from Eastern Oregon
For a small fee we can provide transportation from PDT (Pendleton, OR ~45min) or BOI (Boise, ID ~2hrs)
Lodging before / after wilderness trip
Contact us for local recommendations
Sleeping bag (Big Agnes Synthetic Down sleeping bag rentals for $40/person cleaning fee)
Other items not borrowed from Go Wild
As an added value to our outdoor retreat, we'll host one group video call prior to the trip to say hello to our writers, discuss community guidelines, and leave you with some writing inspiration!
Meet the team and your fellow writers at our HQ in La Grande to talk logistics and get to know each other over appetizers and drinks. Dinner on your own. Contact us for discounts at local hotels.
On the day of departure, your guides will meet you at your La Grande accommodation for complimentary pick up in Sully, our adventure van. After a ~1 hour drive to the trailhead. Step into the wilderness and leave the hustle of the city behind. At camp, settle in and we'll kick off the retreat with our first session!
Alternatively, drive your own car to the trailhead.
Settle in to your wilderness basecamp and our retreat curriculum. Let the inspiration flow among towering granite peaks, meandering alpine streams, and fellow creatives. For breaks, take day hikes to surrounding lakes, practice fly fishing, water color, or relax at camp.
At camp, your professional local guides turn into expert fun facilitators and chefs, serving hand crafted appetizers, cocktails, and elevated backpacking fare, all sourced from hyper local ingredients.
After your last delicious camp meal and bottomless coffee, enjoy a final sharing circle around the campfire. Once we're ready, pack up your gear and hit the trail. While it's tempting to put your head down and hustle (like a horse to the barn), even your last day is a chance to deepen your experience in the wild and enjoy the stroll back to civilization.
Typically, groups reach the trailhead between 1-4PM, please plan flights & travel plans accordingly.
Before your final departure, be sure to pick up custom Go Wild gifts, from t-shirts, to hand made leather work to local art prints of your location.
