Wilder Running and Writing Retreats utilize running, writing, storytelling, yoga, humor, coaching, and the beauty of the outdoors to inspire creative and physical courage. We aim to stretch ourselves with the help of teachers, learn from the work of other participants, and fill ourselves up with fresh air, big trees, rushing water, good food, laughter, and a mixture of community and solitude. A wilder approach to running and writing will help fuel confidence and purpose in the work we do at home for ourselves and our community.
UPCOMING 2025 RETREATS
WILDER CALDERA, MAY
MAY 23-26, 2025
Designed for first-time Wilder attendees, this retreat has been incredibly popular for ten years and receives fantastic reviews. This is an all-inclusive women's retreat for people who are drawn to running and writing, nestled inside a beautiful volcanic caldera with one of the bluest lakes in North America, fed by underground streams. Participants will run trails among the geologic effects of volcanism and forest regeneration, led by Lauren Fleshman, Collier Lawrence and Mel Briggs, née Lawrence. All paces are welcome. The writing practice will be led by Lauren Fleshman, a certified Wild Writing instructor and award winning author, and the practice is suitable for all kinds of writers from professional to beginner to curious and open minded. Yoga and mindfulness practice will be lead by Julia Hanlon. Julia is a mental health counselor who holds a Master’s degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling and has 15 years of experience as a yoga teacher. We will be joined by special guest Erin Powers Beery, LCSW, who will be leading workshops exploring somatic experience and integration, leaning on 15 years of professional experience as a therapist and consultant specializing in identity, trauma, grief, attachment, and emotional regulation. Nature, free time, and time to be together and alone will compliment the running, writing, and yoga practices and contribute to the unique experience that is Wilder. Limited to ~30-40 participants.
Detailed information on this retreat can be found here.
Teachers Attending:
Wilder IN Chamonix, France (SOLD OUT)
SEPTEMBER 4-9, 2025
This inaugural retreat is open to all genders, and is designed for 15 or less trail runners primarily focused on adventure and play. We will spend at least half our day time outdoors, engage in Wild Writing, sample local cuisine, and experience surprise delights.
Detailed information on this retreat can be found here.
Teachers Attending:
Wilder AT Caldera, Oregon
OCTOBER 24-27, 2025
This new retreat is specially designed for people who have attended a Wilder Retreat in the past, or people with Wild Writing experience. Whether you’ve kept up your writing practice or not, use the container of this retreat to dive in. Come focus your wild writing practice into gaining inspiration, confidence, and momentum on a project, or go deeper into exploring the unknown. And do it all with incredible people, bearing witness to their stories.
Like the May retreat, this is an all-inclusive women's retreat nestled inside a beautiful volcanic caldera with one of the bluest lakes in North America, fed by underground streams. Participants will run trails among the geologic effects of volcanism and forest regeneration, led by Lauren Fleshman with the help of Zoë Roy, Collier Lawrence and Mel Briggs, née Lawrence. Marianne Elliott, writer, researcher, and human rights advocate, will be leading the writing practice alongside Lauren, a certified Wild Writing instructor. Yoga and mindfulness practice will be lead by Julia Hanlon. Julia is a mental health counselor who holds a Master’s degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling and has 15 years of experience as a yoga teacher. Nature, free time, and time to be together and alone will compliment the running and writing practices and contribute to the unique experience that is Wilder. Limited to ~30-40 participants.
Detailed information on this retreat can be found here.
Teachers Attending:
PREVIOUS RETREATS & Labs
WILDER CALDERA, MAY
MAY 24-27, 2024
This is an all-inclusive women's retreat for runners who write and writers who run, nestled inside a beautiful volcanic caldera with one of the bluest lakes in North America, fed by underground streams. Participants will run trails among the geologic effects of volcanism and forest regeneration, led by Lauren Fleshman. Marianne Elliott, writer, researcher, and human rights advocate, will be leading the writing practice alongside Lauren, a certified Wild Writing instructor, and participants will practice wild writing and creative courage with their guidance. Yoga and mindfulness practice will be lead by Julia Hanlon. Nature, free time, and time to be together and alone will compliment the running and writing practices and contribute to the unique experience that is Wilder. Limited to ~30-40 participants.
Detailed information on this retreat can be found here.
Teachers attending:
Lauren Fleshman Marianne Elliott Julia Hanlon Zoë Roy
WILDER CALDERA, MAY
MAY 22-25, 2020
BY APPLICATION
This is an all-inclusive women's retreat for runners who write and writers who run, nestled inside a beautiful volcanic caldera with one of the bluest lakes in North America, fed by underground streams. Participants will run trails among the geologic effects of volcanism and forest regeneration, led by Lauren Fleshman. They will also practice wilder writing and creative courage with the guidance of author, activist, and teacher Marianne Elliott. Yoga and mindfulness practice will be lead by Julia Hanlon. Nature, free time, and time to be together and alone will compliment the running and writing practices and contribute to the unique experience that is Wilder. Limited to ~30-40 participants.
Detailed information on this retreat, and application can be found here.
Teachers attending:
Lauren Fleshman
Marianne Elliott
Julia Hanlon
Zoë Roy
WIlder LABs:
These are 4 day events available to those who have attended a Wilder Retreat in the past, designed to go deeper into the practices in smaller groups.
If you are an alumni who has not received communication about Labs, please contact us to be sure we have updated contact information.
We currently do not have any Wilder Labs scheduled in 2025.
