Wild Grief leads safe, supportive wilderness trips for youth who are grieving a death, providing a unique experience of connection, support and challenge to help them heal. Funding from Safe Crossings Foundation in 2018 will support programs to guide grieving teens on wilderness hikes because Wild Grief knows that, for many, the wilderness heals. In the wild, teens get to sleep under the stars, rely on the earth, and remember their place as part of a greater world and humanity. Wild Grief believes that giving teens a chance to explore their grief with a group of peers in the wilderness offers each of them unique support while on their individual journeys.
Teen Wilderness Hike:
Summer multi-day backpacking trip for 13-19 year olds. Living safely and well in the wilderness requires focused attention on every moment – where we step, when we rest, how we put up our tent and how we cook our food. This steady focus on each moment helps to heal. The hikes are challenging but designed to be manageable for healthy youth. Hiking several hours each day carrying a full pack, learning to cook, sleep and live in the wilderness fosters self-confidence and builds peer support. Teens are encouraged to share as much or as little of their grief experience as they wish. No matter what is spoken, they share the trail with peers who are also traveling a journey of grief and they discover that they are not alone.
Hike Habit
Short hikes open to all every second Sunday at 11 a.m. Wild Grief is sponsoring monthly hikes on the second Sunday of every month to connect with the healing power of nature. These are short hikes in the Olympia area that ANYONE can join in. We will gather at a designated spot for a brief greeting at 11 a.m. The hike will be easy to moderate in difficulty and we advise footwear that will keep you safe and dry in wet or muddy conditions. All of our hikes have a Wild Grief facilitator with training in leading hikes, first aid and grief support.
Day Hikes
Early Summer, early fall one-day hike open to all. Build on your hike habit by joining Wild Grief on the trail for a full day hike. These events range further afield, where we can spend the day as a community walking, exploring, eating lunch and sharing our stories. These 3-6 hour hikes are open to the entire Wild Grief community. We will meet early then caravan to the trailhead. The hike will be easy to moderate in difficulty and we advise footwear that will keep you safe and dry in wet or muddy conditions. Don’t forget water, snacks and a lunch. If you are new to hiking, learn more about the ten essentials, and bring them along! All of our hikes have a Wild Grief facilitator with training in leading hikes, first aid and grief support.