Wisdom of the Wilderness: Turning to our Wild Teachers – October 10-12, 2025 being held at Pilgrim Park in Princeton, IL

Event Phone: 630-969-4141

Wisdom of the Wilderness:  Turning to our Wild Teachers
Friday, October 10 (arrive 5:00-pm to Pilgrim Park Camp in Princeton, IL) – Sunday, October 12, 2025 (depart 1:30 PM)
Open to ALL Men

Job wrote, “Turn to the animals and let them teach you…Listen to the plants of the earth, and learn from them.”  Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air…Consider the lilies of the field,” and “From the tree, learn its lesson.”

In this weekend retreat for men, we expand our awareness of God’s presence in the wild, attune ourselves to the wisdom of nature, and embrace our place within the community of creation.  Through wandering, rest, and renewal in the woods–along with shared meals and meaningful conversation–we open ourselves to the sacred wisdom of the wilderness.  Steve Thomas will provide the five presentations for conversation.

Sessions

1.  The Call of the Wild and Wildman
2.   Our Place in the Community of Creation
3.   Beholding the Divine in God’s Wild Sanctuary
4.   The Glory of the Trees in God’s Creation
5.   Rooted and Grounded for a Resilient Life

For several wilderness wandering times when men turn to wild teachers, men may also spend time with some of all the sixteen stations of Trees of Life:  Learning from Our Elders hanging from trees in the forest.  There will also be small group times for conversation for what men are noticing in the wild and within themselves.  The tables for the Sunday morning service will feature an artful display of items men have gathered representing the beauty, biodiversity, and abundant life of God’s wild creation.

Facilitator

Steve Thomas, M. Div., treevangelist

Cost:

$375 – Program includes 2 nights, 6 meals being held in Princeton, IL

Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, October 8, 2025