Backpacking with Creation Encounter Events:
Events offered by Selah Center at selahcenter.org
Go Outside, Ancient Paths, and Contemplative Backpacking
“Jesus frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.” – Like 5:16
“Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John (of the mountains) Muir
What are Creation Encounters?
Is nature a place you go to get away? In search of beauty, awe, or wonder? Does it help your mood or shift your perspective? Have you ever rekindled a connection to your heart and soul looking at a sunset or walking in the woods? Does the wonder of God become more real to you in nature? Maybe you feel that you haven’t fully known these kinds of experiences, but you are curious to know them more intimately. These kinds of experiences are the hope and expectations we have for “Creations Encounters”. Creation Encounters can come from watching a sunset, a walk in the park, sitting in solitude among the trees, on top of a mountain, or venturing deep into the wilderness. We encourage, organize, and facilitate “Creation Encounters” from short contemplative walks in the park, to overnight experiences of solitude in the woods , to multi-day contemplative backpacking trips for the purpose of drawing closer to the presence of God.
- “Go Outside” experience – facilitating 1hr nature experience and reflection
- “Ancient Paths” trips – facilitating a path to 24hrs of prayerful solitude in the woods
- “Contemplative Backpacking” trips – 4 days off-grid of contemplation-in-community backpacking
Highlighting Contemplative Backpacking:
Contemplative Backpacking Trip – 4-Day (CBT-4):
Have you ever tried backpacking to places you can’t reach by car? If you have, have you ever backpacked for days in the woods with the intention of walking on sacred ground and encountering God’s presence? Have you ever been guided into this kind of experience? If you have not experienced anything like this but are curious, then great. Curiosity, openness, and the ability to walk a few miles a day with some weight on your back is all you need. A 4-day Contemplative backpacking trip is our longest and most immersive “Creation Encounter” experience. It is a backpacking trip like no other, because it invites you to experience every aspect of the journey in divine contemplation.
