The Day Walk Weekend Retreat is a perfect opportunity for folks who may not be able to commit to a full Vision Fast, but who are looking for a guided experience and solo time in nature with the support of a small group. The Day Walk offers you the opportunity to break from the regular world, put away your phone and calendar, and look inward while surrounded by the quiet, still sounds of nature. You will be accompanied by experienced guides and a group of like-minded participants as you give yourself the gift of pausing, listening, sharing from the heart, and being truly heard and seen, both by the guides and the Land. This opportunity invites you “jump in” and set an intention, perhaps marking a new accomplishment, solidifying a new insight you’ve had, or bringing clarity to a seemingly stuck area of your life.
Location:
This Day Walk will take place on the beautiful private land of the Friends Wilderness Center, located near Harpers Ferry, WV. Harper’s Ferry is a river-side community located on the historical lands of the Manahoac, Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee) and Massawomeck Peoples.
Trip Schedule and Locations:
October 16-18th, 2026: Day Walk Weekend, meeting at the Friends Wilderness Center, Harpers Ferry, WV
October 16th: Arrival between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM
Participants will meet at the Tree House area of the Friends Wilderness Center and set up tents/hammocks, meet as a group to begin the ceremony, and begin to share and acclimate with the Land and each other.
October 17th: Participants will receive nature-based teachings to help acclimate and commune with the natural environment and partake in experiential nature-based hikes and creative activities, in preparation for the setting of their individual intention that evening. These activities, particularly the intention setting, will guide, ground, and inform their Day Walk on the 5th.
October 18th: Participants will be ceremonially put out on their solo Day Walk in the morning, returning in the late afternoon to food, refreshments and community. The rest of the afternoon and early evening will be an opportunity for each person to share the story of their Day Walk, and to receive feedback and mirroring from the guides and group.
Program Guides
Bryan Bieniek, LGPC, MS, MAT is a Wilderness Rites of Passage guide and lead facilitator on this journey. He has been leading Vision Fasts and Day Walks since 2012 and believes strongly in the role of ceremony as a means to increase capacity for insight and healing.
Hiking Terrain / Difficulty Level
The Friends Wilderness Center is a diverse ecosystem of 1600 acres of Blue Ridge forest, criss-crossed by hiking trails and mountain streams. All trails are marked and maintained and most are easy to moderate in difficulty, but are not paved. Participants should be prepared to hike and explore the property throughout the duration of the event, but long hikes and difficult terrain are not a requirement depending on people’s comfort levels.
Program Costs
Program registration is $250 for the whole program and participants need to be registered prior to October 10th, 2026 in order to secure a space in the program. Space is limited to 8 participants and spots are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis based on deposits received. Program cost covers the cost of:
* Licensed healthcare providers and guide wages for three days
* Friends Wilderness Center campsite fee for 2 days
* Administrative Fees
* Some provided meals
* Base camp communal supplies
People interested in this program who may not be able to participate due to financial hardship are encouraged to reach out to Bryan at bryan.bieniek@adams-counseling.com to discuss options.
Questions or want to register?
Please contact bryan.bieniek@adams-counseling if you have questions and to register.