“Honestly, the FEST was a dream come true that I didn’t know I had.”
~Sienna Brown
Wild Woman Fest returns!
2024 marks our 8th year of making magic.
Join us August 22nd – the 25th, 2024 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.
We are thrilled to welcome women from all over the country, and even the world, to participate in this meaningful, soul-stirring camping retreat. You can expect 4 Days & 3 Nights of rituals & ceremony, yoga, circles, experiential workshops, meditation, music & art making, dance, connecting to the natural world, laughter, discovery, divination, wandering, swimming, hiking, bonfires, howling, and dreaming!
All Participants are free to participate in the scheduled offerings as they wish & are encouraged to take unstructured time and space to explore, rest & make friends.
“The power of the weekend will live inside of me forever.”
~Irina Kom
Be Moved.
Inside and out.
Yoga, Dance, Hiking,
Swimming, Circling, Visioning,
Laughing, Dreaming
You will be moved to the bones.
Be Fed.
Receive true Soul-Nourishment.
Soulful Conversation, Deep Restoration,
3 continental breakfasts & 3 delicious dinners.
Receive the extraordinary gift of ritual & immersion with Mother Earth.
You will leave with a full cup.
Be Wild.
Leave all “shoulds” at home.
Come as you are.
Let nature give you permission to to be all of you.
Gather around the fire,
Breathe the fresh forest air.
With Sisters.
Think Slumber Party with Soul.
In the spirit of Sisterhood,
We gather under the Moon
Sharing wisdom, laughter, prayers
for the community and the great family of things.
“For the first time in my life, I truly understand what it means to be part of a sisterhood.”
~Vanessa Agudelo
Foundational Aims for the re-imagined Wild Woman Fest:
To come and lay our hearts on the Earth,
to relax our nervous systems,
to slow down and be nourished,
to gently tend & integrate (if we wish) all that has been stirring in us,
to lay down the divisiveness which has cut through the fabric of our communities,
to come together to mend and bless,
to revel in the beauty of our differences,
to curl up in the comfort of our similarities,
to tend our hearts with care,
to play & kick up some joy,
to co-create at a whole new level,
to remember how it feels to be together in all our wilderness,
to intentionally honor ourselves, one another & the Earth.
“My soul is weeping with gratitude.”
~Christine S.
What to expect:
You will be a very important part of a more intimate group, just 75 women. We will get to know each other in our time together and receive the gift of seeing and hearing from everyone.
We will camp under the Moon & stars in a gorgeous valley, surrounded, protected, and held by the Blue Ridge Mountains all around, with the option to camp with your car, van or RV for a small fee. All ticket holders will have the option to rent a tent set up from our partner, Dancin’ Day’s, who will set up and break down your set up!
Expect to have access to the dynamic, expansive Carolina Conservation grounds featuring: two mineral-rich spring-fed lakes, wooded forest trails, magical mountain streams, open sunny fields, several fire pits, on 900+ acres, backed into National Forest. A truly private, viscerally sacred, secluded location, just 20 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport.
Spaciousness in the schedule, with lots of time to lay in the fields, swim in the lakes, wander in the woods, sleep well, sing and cackle by the fire, and to connect in a conscious & kind way with other wild women.
All participants will receive three continental breakfasts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday mornings and three delicious dinners served on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights on the Main Pavilion – in style (and if you like, dressed up). You are responsible for your lunches & snacks and are welcome to have coolers, camp stoves, and grills at your campsite.
Our 2024 Theme is:
In a land far far away and right here
the women were free
to sit quietly listening to cricket songs
and to dance and stomp and howl
In a land far far away and right here
they were held and also holding
broken and also whole
One and All
In a land far far away and right here
the women were feral and sacred
wise and unruly
Children and Crones
In land far far away and right here
the women of soul and flesh
lit a fire so bright
it burned within each of them
Forever
and
Right Now
Meet Our Fest ’24 Facilitators!
Johanna Verley - Sound Healing & Sonic Ritual
Johanna Verley is a Reiki Master, Certified Sound Healing Practitioner, Yoga Nidra Practitioner and Breathwork Facilitator. Johanna is also the Founder of Darmae Essentials. She uses various healing modalities to create a container for the individual to explore your self-discovery, to encourage your optimal well-being and to empower you with the tools to strengthen their own innate ability to heal. All this to unlock true freedom and lasting happiness while on the journey to the best expression of self.
Naomi Ochoa- Breathwork & Curanderismo
Naomi Ochoa (she, her, ella) of Wise Moon Wellness is a queer xicana femme, dedicated to holding space for tender, loving respite. Through body/mind/spirit work, breath, movement, and elements of Curanderismo, she invites our bodies to remember how Sacred we are. She is a loving witness to the graceful unfoldings and rebuildings of beautiful humans, ever reaching toward homeostasis. With over 15 years of experience in the Healing Arts, and numerous certifications in Massage, BodyIntuitive, Breathwork, Circle Keeping, Plant Medicine Facilitation, and Somatic Integration, she continues to let her heart, passion, and Ancestors guide her to be of service to the community and Highest Good.
Juliana Mitchell - Morning Yoga Facilitation
Juliana Mitchell, C-IAYT (she/her) is a full time yoga therapist & yoga teacher, living in NYC. Introduced to the practice by her mom at age 11, she began to study the breath in her teens and committed her life to the practice in her twenties. Steeped in a reverence for human spirit and inspired by her ongoing studies of anatomy, kinesiology & “The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.” Juliana works with folk who seek an adapted & nuanced practice (such as those with neck & shoulder pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, persons with anxiety, pregnant humans & more) as well as long-time practitioners and teachers who seek a deepened lense into their mind-body practices. Her approach is precise and playful, emphasizing the journey toward artfully inhabiting our bodies and our lives. Come as you are and you will be welcomed.
Sara Goff - Forest Bathing, Yoga & Ceremony Magic
A longtime friend of The Wild Woman Project, Sara Goff has served for over a decade as Circle Leader, Fest Facilitator, Love Crew, and more. In addition, Sara is an E-RYT Vinyasa Yoga Instructor, Founder of the Satya Embodied 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, creator of the Chakras Awakened online curriculum, is certified in yoga nidra, yin, and restorative modalities, and serves as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Whether holding spaces in the realms of the body, the natural world, or conscious community, Sara aims always to weave themes of the playful with the reverent, the tangible with the imaginal, and the powerful merging of matter with creativity, song, and story. In her time, Sara can usually be found barefoot among the trees, scoping out playground swings, or river walking with her wild familiar, Lulu the Doodle.
Chris Maddox - Wild Woman Fest Weaver, Director + Ceremony Facilitator
Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.
“It was so much more than I could have imagined.
I feel deeply connected to everyone whom was there.”
~Elizabeth Coleman
Dates and Schedule
August 22nd – 25th, 2024
Thursday Arrivals happen 10am – 2pm. Opening Yoga begins at 2:30pm
Sunday Departures by 3pm. Closing Ceremony ends at 1pm.
In between?
Much much Wild Woman-ing…
On the Schedule, you can expect Wilderness/Spirit/Creativity-oriented workshops, rituals and activities like:
- Morning Yoga
- Daily Tool-Building Workshops
- Wild Woman Fair
- Book & Oracle Card Swaps
- Mystical Rituals
- 3 Continental Breakfasts
- 3 Delicious Dinners, in Style, in the Main Pavilion on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights
- BonFires under the Moon & Stars featuring Music, storytelling, dancing & magic
- Open-mic Magic
- Spaciousness in Schedule and land to wander, to relax, to play, and make mischief!
The exact schedule & orientation pack will be sent to participants via email on July 22th, 2024 exactly one month before the retreat.
All Participants are free to participate in the scheduled offerings as they wish & are encouraged to take unstructured time and space to explore, swim, wander in the woods, rest & make friends.
About the Location & Facilities
Our exact location will be revealed only to ticket holders via email immediately upon registration. The retreat grounds are located appr. 20 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport.
These gorgeous & well-stewarded Carolina Conservation grounds feature: two mineral-rich spring-fed lakes, wooded forest trails, magical mountain streams, open sunny fields, several fire pits, 2 spacious covered pavilions, on 900+ acres, backed into National Forest. A truly private, sacred, secluded location, just 20 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport.
There are portapotties and hand-washing stations located around the property & no showers. You are welcome to swim and bathe in the cool spring-fed lakes or the creeks that run through the property. You are also welcome to bring camp showers to have at or near your site. Water will be available to fill up your camp showers & water jugs if needed.
If you rent your tent set up from our partners, Dancin’ Daves, you can add on a camp shower.
The open air Main Pavilion where most of our gatherings will happen is gorgeous, surrounded by lush green views & features a disco ball and plenty of space for all manner of wild woman-ing!
Prepare for Weather
August here in the mountains is usually hot in the days (usually in the 80’s) & cool at nights (usually in the 60’s). So you will want to be prepared for both – layers encouraged! Also rain gear.
There are spring-fed lakes to swim in, along with countless mountain streams – so you will want to bring swim suits and towels. Floats & paddle boards welcome.
Offerings will be held in various locations – all outdoors & open air, some in covered pavilions, some in the woods, some in the fields, some around the lakes.
Meals
Your ticket includes:
+ 3 Continental Breakfasts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 9- 10:30am. Expect basics like Coffee, Tea (please BYO mug!), Yogurt, Granola Bars, Fruit, etc.
+ 3 Joy Making Delicious Dinners Served in Style in the Main Pavilion at 5:30pm. Expect warm, nourishing meals with Protein, Veggies, and Starch at every dinner. Vegetarian & Carnivorous options, as well as Vegan & Gluten Free options. Each night will have a different culinary theme!
You are responsible lunches and snacks and are welcome to have coolers, camp stoves, and grills at your campsite. Be sure you have either bear-proof containers or coolers, or just be sure to purchase the car camp pass add-on when you sign up. There is a very nice, well-stocked grocery store in easy driving distance.
Co-creating a camping village
Tickets include primitive camping access for the whole stay. You are invited to set up a camp site that makes you happy. You might be a keep it simple – backpacking style, or glamp it up to your hearts content! To each her own, truly.
All ticket holders will have the option to rent a tent set up (with options to add on all sorts of fun camping things) from our partner, Dancin’ Dave’s, who will set up and break down your rental!
There are portapotties and hand-washing stations located around the property & no showers. You are welcome to swim and bathe in the cool spring-fed lakes or the creeks that run through the property. You are also welcome to bring camp showers to have at or near your site. Water will be available to fill up your camp showers & water jugs if needed.
Camping on this incredible land under the Moon and stars is a soul-treat! And to be together? What could be better?
1 month before Fest, we will be sending all ticket holders an Orientation Pack with camping tips and packing ideas!
Ticket Pricing, Add-ons & Availability
Tickets are extremely limited, as there will be only 75 of us total.
Your $595 ticket includes:
- Access to our full schedule of offerings
- 3 Continental Breakfasts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- 3 Delicious Dinners on Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Access to the expansive & dynamic retreat grounds
- Primitive Camping access for your whole stay
- Opportunity to sell or barter your goods & services in the Wild Woman Fair
- Orientation Pack with detailed Schedule, Packing and Camping Tips & Preparation Info – emailed 1 month before the retreat
- Surprises!
Optional Add-on: $75 Car Camping Pass:
- If you’d like the convenience and comfort of driving right up to your campsite and having your car with you throughout your stay, you can purchase this add on.
- RVs & Vans are welcome, though there is no water or electric hookups & no generators allowed (we want a quiet environment). Be sure to get a car camp pass for this option.
There are no refunds given, at any time, for any reason.
“Wild Woman Fest is a temple, a union, a communion, a powerful planet of female power. It is gyrating, mystifying, magnetizing moonbath of love. Follow the tide. You will find us.”
~Julie Balter
Please Note:
There are no refunds given, at any time, for any reason.
This is a rain or shine event.
Wild Woman Fest 2024 Sold Out in minutes!
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