
Upcoming events.
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DAY HIKE: Contemplative Hiking + Community Cookout + Overnight Camping (optional)
Hit the pause button on doom-scrolling and daily task-managing and make some time for the natural wonders of our Pennsylvania forests. Join us for a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, solitude, and community. Reconnect with past participants and meet some new faces!

BACKPACKING: Black Forest Trail - South Loop
Dates: Friday, June 27 - Sunday, June 29
Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected.
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent.
Location: Black Forest Trail - South Loop
Cost: $320/person
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask!
Co-leaders:
Megan Shelly and John Creasy
John and Megan will lead participants on this summer backpacking trip to the Black Forest Trail. Last fall we competed about 25 miles of the northern loop, and this time we we complete the remaining 21 miles of the southern portion. The Black Forest Trail is considered one of the most challenging (and beautiful!) hiking trails in Pennsylvania.
We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates and payment plans are available by inquiry to those who need it.
IMPORTANT: the Pre-Trip Orientation is REQUIRED for all participants. Please plan to attend.

RETREAT: Navigating the Wilderness of Grief — Honoring Loss, Following the Path Forward
RETREAT: SAVE THE DATE
NAVIGATING THE WILDERNESS OF GRIEF
AUGUST 8-10, 2025
Retreat Leaders: Megan Shelly and Katie Robb Sewall
Whatever the context of your loss, whether a loved-one, a dream, a life-expectation, a global crisis, whether recent or long-passed, you are invited to explore the complex landscape of grief on this weekend retreat. Together we honor our losses and seek a path forward towards wholeness and connection. We find solace in the wilderness of grief through the support, compassion, and wisdom of community. There will be opportunities to tell your unique story, give shape to your grief through creative expression, ponder the beauty and mercy embedded in your grief, spend time in solitude, rest, play, and the outdoors. A full itinerary will be provided prior to the retreat.
Location and Cost TBD
Meals are included. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it. Transportation not included. Email Megan to inquire: bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Optional preparation for the weekend includes:
4-week book group (free)
RSVP to bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Spiritual Direction Sessions
Suggest 1 prior to and 1-3 following the retreat
Schedule HERE

BACKPACKING: Adirondack Mountains, High Peaks Wilderness Area, NY
SAVE THE DATES
Megan and John are partnering with certified ADK Mountain Guide, Rich Hanlon, to bring you a very unique experience in the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Mountains in New York.
Space is limited to 5 participants.
Price TBD
Transportation and personal gear are not included, but we will help you find what you need. We can help coordinate ride sharing. Early arrival and late departure accommodations are not included, but we can help you with ideas.
Breakfasts and dinners are included.
BYO snacks/lunch.
We never want cost to be prohibitive. Limited reduced rates or payment plans are available by inquiry to those who need it.
Detail to come very soon, but in the meantime:
Pre-register HERE and let us know if you are interested in this trip!

BACKPACKING: Mount Rogers / Grayson Highlands, Virginia
Date: Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19, 2025
Location: Mount Rogers / Grayson Highlands State Park Virginia
Co-leaders: Megan Shelly and Heather List
Heather and Megan are excited to bring you this three-day backpacking trip. More details to come!
Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected.
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent.
Cost: $320
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need.

RETREAT: A Time for Rest & Renewal
Is your daily work rooted in activism, creativity, or helping others? This retreat is designed with you in mind.
Teachers, activists, nurses, artists, parents, therapists, caretakers, pastors, social workers, and organizers—those who dedicate their energy to the common good—you are invited to pause and replenish. Take this opportunity to rest, reflect, and recharge through guided conversations, creative expression, and time to wander and unwind.
Let this weekend be a gift to your body and soul.
Program options will include group conversations and centering practices, book discussions, yoga, hiking, napping — whatever is nourishing and restful for you.
Join Akirah Wyatt and Megan Shelly for a restorative weekend at the serene River Mountain Resort in Everett, Pennsylvania. Nestled in the great outdoors, this modern resort is conveniently located just hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. Enjoy a luxurious glamping experience with a private sleeping pod* in shared cabins featuring two bathrooms per cabin. Gather in beautiful communal spaces, relax in the hot soaking tubs, and take in the breathtaking surroundings.
This all-inclusive retreat covers everything: delicious meals, nightly bonfires with s'mores, daily happy hour, honey tasting, spring-fed cedar soaking tubs, group spaces, cozy accommodations, and access to 150 acres of nature.
Unplug. Decompress. Let yourself be cared for. You deserve it.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
$430 + taxes & fees
Limited reduced rates are available for those in need.
Please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com to inquire.
Optional preparation for the weekend includes:
Optional recommended supplemental reading:
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, by Katherine May
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto, by Tricia Hersey
Suggest 1 prior to and 1-3 following the retreat
Schedule HERE
*Please note that each cabin includes glamping “pods" with privacy curtains in a mixed-gender cabin with two shared bathrooms. We think the cabins are truly unique and beautify accommodations, providing an intimate connection to nature. We're very excited to experience this place with you. You are invited to take a look at the cabin details on the website. There will be time to spend time outdoors, as well as, indoors in beautiful (heated) group spaces and lounge areas. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Megan directly at bewilderpgh@gmail.com.

BACKPACKING: Fall Trip to the PA Wilds Dark Skies
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Dates: Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2024
Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected.
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent.
Location: PA Wilds Dark Skies region of northcentral Pennsylvania
Cost: $320/person
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask!
Co-leaders:
Megan Shelly and John Creasy
John and Megan will lead participants on a trip to the Dark Skies region of the PA Wilds. Megan and John are thrilled to bring you this contemplative backpacking trip in the PA Wilds Dark Skies area of Pennsylvania! If we're lucky enough we could have quite an incredible show of stars, perhaps even the Milky Way or the Northern Lights!
We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates and payment plans are available by inquiry to those who need it.

BEGINNER BACKPACKING: Allegheny National Forest
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED
Please explore other upcoming events or email bewilderpgh@gmail.com for a customized trip for your group.
PRE-TRIP ORIENTATION: JULY 2, 7PM @GARFIELD COMMUNITY FARM - required for anyone who is interested or registered!
Megan and Johanna will lead this trip in Allegheny National Forest for beginners or those who are looking for a more gentle weekend. Shorter miles and easier terrain make this trip perfect for all experience levels.
Dates: Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18, 2024
Location: North Country Trail, Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Cost: $320/person
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask!
Details:
Johanna and Megan will lead this contemplative beginner backpacking trip on the North Country Trail in Allegheny Forest. We will be carrying all our gear, camping in tents, filtering water, and practicing Leave No Trace ethics for all waste and physical impact. (You to NOT have to be a beginner to attend! All are welcome.)
Are you looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Dreaming of exploring pristine wilderness, waking up to breathtaking sunrises, and falling asleep under a canopy of stars? A beginner backpacking trip is your perfect gateway to the natural world!
Backpacking offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. It's more than just a hike—it's about carrying your essentials on your back and embracing the simplicity of life on the trail. Here’s why you’ll love it:
Unplug and Reconnect: Leave behind your screens and rediscover the beauty of the natural world.
Physical Challenge: Push your limits and experience the satisfaction of conquering new terrain.
Mental Clarity: Enjoy the peace and quiet that only nature can provide.
Self-Sufficiency: Learn to rely on yourself and your gear, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
This trip is open to any experience level, but it will be tailored to beginners with fewer miles each day and moderate terrain. We will teach you all you need to know to feel confident to go backpacking again! You will learn how to complete all the camp chores, such as water collection, hanging a bear bag, and even the dos and don'ts of digging a cathole! We will walk you through all the gear you need, how to prepare physically, and how to pack your backpack efficiently. The wonders of backpacking await!! Join us!
We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it.

CUSTOM: Day Retreat (Private Event)
Private Event: Customized day-long outdoor contemplative retreat for a local church.
Attending to Wilderness: A Day Retreat Exploring Our Inner & Outer Landscapes
Saturday, June 1, 2024
9am-4pm
RSVP to Norma Meyer (norma@coh.net) or Megan Shelly (bewilderpgh@gmail.com)
Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Beverages, snacks and lunch are provided.
$40
When we spend time immersed in nature, noticing, and attending to both the detail and grandeur of our outer world, we simultaneously notice and attend to our inner world. Join us for a contemplative day-long retreat as we wander, reflect, explore, and share together. There will be time in groups and in solitude, time for creative expression, prayer, and integrating what we discover within ourselves and our natural environment. Hiking options will be available for all skill levels, including a longer more challenging hike, a hike on short easy terrain, and a very mild, mostly stationary option.
Megan Shelly is a Spiritual Director, and the founder of bewilderpgh, where she designs and leads retreats and contemplative backpacking trips. You can learn more about her work at bewilderpgh.com.

Spring Foraging & Bundle Dye Workshop
Led by Kelly Lane & Megan Shelly
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 10am-3:30pm
Location: Keystone State Park, Pavilion #2 (ADA accessible)
Cost: $180
Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask!
Join Kelly and Megan for a creative and contemplative exploration in nature, and learn to transform woodland plants and spring flowers into wearable, one-of-a-kind art during our bundle-dying workshop! We will hike the beautiful trails of Keystone State Park and learn to mindfully forage leaves, flowers, nuts, and other plant matter. Our collected treasures will then be used to create botanical impressions on a handwoven, silk scarf.
While our bundles steam, take part in guided reflections or extend your exploration with a scenic hike. Take home your unique creation – a 24” x 78” bundle-dyed silk scarf – along with valuable workshop materials and Kelly's top recommendations for natural dyeing resources.
Comfortable outdoor attire is recommended, along with a refillable water bottle, packed lunch, gardening gloves, and a cloth bag for plant collection. We provide all other supplies, including a pre-mordanted silk scarf, along with light snacks, coffee, tea, and water refills. For your convenience, our pavilion is equipped with a bathroom and full kitchen.
No prior experience needed. All are welcome!
Space is limited.
REGISTRAION CLOSES MAY 15 or when we reach capacity.
Questions: please email Megan at bewilderpgh@gmail.com

BASECAMP: North Fork Mountain, WV
REGISTRAION IS CLOSED. Please check out our other upcoming events!!
Megan and John are excited to offer a "basecamp" trip in the North Fork Mountain region of West Virginia! This three day trip departs early from Pittsburgh on Friday morning and returns Sunday evening. Please plan accordingly, before registering. Each day includes opportunities for hiking and exploring the region, as well as opportunities for solitude and guided contemplative practice.
We will set up our basecamp at the Spruce Knob Lake campground in the Monongahela National Forest. On Friday we will explore Spruce Knob, the highest point in WV, and surrounding area. Saturday we will provide guided opportunities to hike the ridge of North Fork Mountain, including Chimney Top. We are still working out the exact route and milage options, but expect a longer more challenging hike (8-10 miles) and a shorter option. Sunday we will pack up early and drive Blackwater Falls State Park for one more excursion, before returning home.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION HERE!
Cost $320
Discounts available for families with children.
Breakfasts and dinners are included. Transportation and personal gear are not included, but we will provide a list and help you find what you need! We partner with 3 Rivers Outdoor Company to provide virtual and in-person gear consultations. We recommend that you visit the shop (1130 S Braddock Ave, 15218) for any purchases or gear rentals. They have a fantastic and knowledgeable staff and will be stocked up for our trip! We typically help coordinate carpooling with other participants to and from the trailhead.
We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it.

RETREAT: Navigating the Wilderness of Grief — Honoring Loss, Following the Path Forward
Retreat Leaders: Megan Shelly and Katie Robb Sewall
Whatever the context of your loss, whether a loved-one, a dream, a life-expectation, a global crisis, whether recent or long-passed, you are invited to explore the complex landscape of grief on this weekend retreat. Together we honor our losses and seek a path forward towards wholeness and connection. We find solace in the wilderness of grief through the support, compassion, and wisdom of community. There will be opportunities to tell your unique story, give shape to your grief through creative expression, ponder the beauty and mercy embedded in your grief, spend time in solitude, rest, play, and the outdoors. A full itinerary will be provided prior to the retreat.
BOOK NOW CLICK HERE
Cost $360 plus taxes & fees
Meals are included. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it. Transportation not included. Email Megan to inquire: bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Optional preparation for the weekend includes:
4-week book group (free), Wednesdays at 7:30-8:30pm (NOTE time change - formerly 7pm)
Google Meet (Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14)
A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing, by Amanda Held Opelt
RSVP to bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Spiritual Direction Sessions
Suggest 1 prior to and 1-3 following the retreat
Schedule HERE
Retreat Accommodations: River Mountain Modern Mountain Resort
(~2hrs from Pittsburgh, 2.5hrs from Baltimore/DC, 3.5hrs from Philly)
Friday arrival after 3pm. Happy hour 5pm. Dinner 6pm. Session 1 begins at 7pm.
River Mountain is a modern resort in the great outdoors, just a few hours from Washington D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly. Each retreatant will have a private sleeping pod* in the cabin, with two shared bathrooms per cabin -- a luxurious outdoor glamping experience! A variety of group meeting spaces and lounge areas are available for guests, including the hot springs soaking tubs.
All-inclusive: meals, nightly bonfire + s'mores, evening happy hours, group space, cabin accommodations, housekeeping, and 150 acres of nature!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
*Please note that each cabin includes glamping “pods" with privacy curtains in a mixed-gender cabin with two shared bathrooms. We think the cabins are truly unique and beautify accommodations, providing an intimate connection to nature! We're very excited to experience this place with you! You are invited to take a look at the cabin details on the website. There will be time to spend time outdoors, as well as, indoors in beautiful (heated) group spaces and lounge areas. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Megan directly at bewilderpgh@gmail.com.

GIFT CERTIFICATES!!!
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Perfect for the holidays! (….or anytime!)
Spread the holiday cheer to your outdoor-loving loved-ones or ask for one with your name on it!
Gift certificates can be issued in any amount from $25 to $500.
To request a gift certificate please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com.
*All gift certificates can be used for any 2025 or 2026 BEWILDERPGH trip or retreat. Some exclusions apply. No returns or refunds.

Moshannon State Forest Contemplative Backpacking
This large-group (10-12 participants) contemplative backpacking trip scheduled for Wednesday, September 27 - Friday, September 28. Click for details.

intensive healing weekend
Weekend of inner healing work in a therapeutic group setting, for up to 9 participants. Lead by Dr. Dave Janvier.

Spring Backpacking - Dolly Sods
Contemplative backpacking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, West Virginia.

Winter Backpacking
Private trip. Winter overnight backpacking the the Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania.