Connection Points | Essential Wild

Free Connection Points

build community. learn soul care skills. get outside.

What are connection points and contemplative hiking?

Connection points are chances to get together with other people who love the outdoors and share the desire to live and love out of their true and whole self.

Contemplative hiking and adventures are about using your whole person; body, heart, mind, and spirit, to personally experience something special, something more than we are normally aware of noticing or capable of feeling.

Additionally, connection points are a great chance to get introduced to fun and meaningful mindfulness practices for the outdoors, as well as learn a form of Christian meditation called Centering Prayer.

Finally, participants do NOT have to be Christian, or have a faith of any kind, and trying out the mindful hiking practices and Christian meditation called Centering Prayer are completely voluntary.

Who’s it for?

At the simplest, these are for hikers, or people who might want to get into hiking!

More specifically, these connection points are for those who might consider themselves…

skeptical or curious about Christian spirituality,
a practicing Christian who wants to go deeper,
someone spiritual but not religious,
anyone ex-religious, agnostic, or atheist, or
anyone who feels disillusionment or disdain for organized religion and church.

We all belong, and all are welcome!

Bottom line, anyone who wants to connect to themselves and/or the Divine in and through the outdoors is going to have a great time.

2022 Hiking Dates (Sunday Afternoons)

Dog Friendly!

Assuming the dogs are friendly, of course.

[froExplore this 4.1-mile loop trail near Forks, Washington. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 25 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

Come enjoy an easy walk through the woods that includes a time of guided Christian meditation and some fun mindfulness practices that you can use any time you’re in or around nature.

Link to AllTrails map, description, and directions: https://rb.gy/uistyk

Experience this 3.1-mile out-and-back trail near Forks, Washington. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Come enjoy an easy walk through the woods that includes a time of guided Christian meditation and some fun mindfulness practices that you can use any time you’re in or around nature.

AllTrails map and directions: https://rb.gy/bnisjg

Contemplative Camping Nights

All are welcome!

Like the contemplative hiking adventures…but camping!

Dog friendly, as long as the dogs are friendly and can remain under control to minimize distraction.

At a glance…

5pm Fri. – 11am Sun.

Feel free to arrive early, but we’ll aim for being set up in time to cook dinner and eat together!

B.Y.O.G.!

Bring your own gear (and food and water)! We have some spares and rental kits for those just getting into camping.

What to bring?

HERE is a camping list put together by REI just to give you an idea. Feel free to reach out with questions!

Easy going

In the 36 hours, we’ll cook, eat, chat, and do some simple mindfulness activities and meditation practice, all with freedom to hang around the group space(s) or do your own thing.

orange and green camping tent under starry sky — Photo by Daniel Ap on Pexels.com

2022 Contemplative Camping Dates (Friday to Sunday)

Date	Site Name	Location
Fri-Sun, 7/29 – 7/31	Near Sappho Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping	48°02’58.5″N 124°16’29.4″W 48.049591, -124.274834
Sat-Sun, 7/10 – 7/11	Pingree Park Dispersed Camping	40°41’03.0″N 105°29’29.4″W