Songs of Summer Camping Retreat 2025

Welcome to our second retreat at StagPath Sanctuary!

We’re excited to share this space with you for an evening of summer-time memories with friends new and old.

We'll be camping together from August 23rd, 2025 at 10 AM - August 24th, 2025 at 10 AM at my home just outside of Grove City. Location details will be disclosed in an email that will automatically send out after your ticket has been purchased, including the itinerary and general gameplan.

Last year, we got into a potluck, did some yoga, started a bonfire using flint and steel, picked pumpkins and melons from around the pond, stargazed and goofed off. The following morning, we had another fire, woke up with a little morning yoga, and shared breakfast.

This time around we're going to stick to a similar gameplan, but now there will be foraging for wild plums and herbs, a show & tell of some of Ohio's natural resources, a game of guessing wildlife calls, and probably a bit of playing around with ultraviolet flashlights at night. We'll also have some raffles to win prizes!

If you have any questions, review the FAQ below, and feel free to reach out to either of us via Instagram @StagPath or @Andiwesley.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should I bring?

• Tent (if you have extra tents, consider bringing them to share!)
• Sleeping bag and or sleeping mat to make ground less lumpalicious
• Whatever food you might want to share (or to keep to yourself if you’d prefer)
• Yoga mat if desired (we’ll have a few extras)
• Layers of clothing to suit your comfort needs
• An acoustic instrument if you’re interested in jamming!

What are we doing about food?

This event includes a potluck. We recommend including picnic or bonfire-friendly foods for a family style meal outdoors. It doesn't have to be anything special. You can bring chips or drinks and that is fine, or you can create hot dishes, baked goods, or bring along hot dogs to roast over the fire. There will be coolers available to keep things fresh. If things get too cold and reheating food is necessary, that shouldn't be a problem, just let me know! Jen and Andi will also be supplying food for dinner and breakfast, supplementing in leftovers from the potluck. If you'd like to contribute financially to food, ask us about how to donate!

Where does this event take place?

This event will be in Jen's backyard just outside of Grove City, just like last year. Jen lives on a retired horse ranch with 10-acres and walking trails. She works alongside her partner to increase native plant biodiversity and has been intentionally including lots of native wild edible plants to create a food forest.

Could I come take a look at where I'll be camping ahead of time?

Last year, I had volunteers come help me set things up before the retreat. This gave them the opportunity to take a look around and even help me brainstorm ways to make the experience even better. If you'd feel more comfortable taking a look around first before investing in a ticket, just let Jen know and we can work out a day for you to come out.

Are there bathrooms?!

Yes! While there is a bathroom indoors, we'll be spending the vast majority of our time outside, so just like last year, there is a bathroom set up outdoors, though there may be a few changes. I have animals inside, and I also want my partner who shares space with me to feel comfortable, so using the outdoor space's restroom will be the only option for the majority of the retreat. If this doesn't work well for you, please connect with Jen with any concerns or accommodations you may need.

What should I wear?

We don't know what the weather will be like (we're no weather wizards), but parts of our trails can get a little muddy after a rain. Keep this in mind and dress accordingly. Bringing layers is a great idea.

What happens if it rains?

If it rains, there are outdoor shelters and canopy from trees we can use for some of the activities. If the weather is reallyyy bad, we can try rescheduling.

Is there a bedtime?

Not really! Last year, we were all pretty tired by 11PM. Some people went to bed earlier than others. We weren't very loud by the end of the night and simply talked by the fire until we were feeling done for the day.

Can I smoke?

You can! Be sure to take any trash with you and if someone next to you doesn't want to smell tobacco or weed or can't be around it, step away for a moment.

Do we have to arrive exactly at 10AM on Saturday?

Arriving on time isn't quite set in stone, but it does make helping everyone set up and getting started on activities a lot easier if we're all together at the same time. If you can't make it at 10AM or only want to join us later in the day, let us know ahead of time so that we know to expect you and can make whatever necessary accommodations to make things easy when you arrive.

Do we have to leave exactly at 10AM on Sunday?

Not exactly! Everyone takes a different amount of time to pack up. Some of us need more help than others based on the location they chose to camp and the things they chose to bring along, so it's no rush, 10AM is just a rough time to start packing if we hadn't already begun.