Nature and Art Retreat

Step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with nature, creativity, and yourself during this three-day retreat led by Interlochen Director of Sustainability Emily Umbarger.

Set across Interlochen’s 1,200-acre campus in northern Michigan, this immersive retreat invites you to slow down, pay attention, and experience the natural world through both mindful exploration and artistic expression. Research shows that time in nature can reduce stress, restore attention, and support overall well-being. Here, those benefits are paired with opportunities to create, reflect, and connect with others.

Each day, you’ll explore Interlochen’s preserved forests, lakes, gardens, and art-making spaces through low-impact walks that encourage you to notice the sights, sounds, and sensations around you. Along the way, you’ll learn about the campus ecosystem and Interlochen’s sustainability efforts while discovering connections between nature and the arts. 

The retreat also includes sunrise yoga, canoeing on Interlochen’s lakes, and story circles designed to foster conversation and community. You’ll have time to journal and explore your own creative voice through writing, visual art, music, dance, or another artistic medium. Bring a notebook, poetry, paints, or whatever creative tools help you capture what you experience. 

By the end of the retreat, you’ll have new ways to experience the natural world, fresh inspiration for your creative practice, and space to step back from the pace of everyday life and see your surroundings with renewed attention.

"Our time together evolved from informative and fun, to robust and meaningful, to a deeply transformative experience. Emily Umbarger is an exceptional leader. She was able to translate her expertise in teaching food systems at the high school level to sharing her knowledge with adults very effectively."

*Some activities may be weather dependent.