The first rule of the Ladie’s Wilderness Getaway is simple: have fun and meet new friends under the blessing of beautiful weather. From the very first laugh to the last campfire ember, this weekend was all about friendship(new and old), adventure and the charm of the great outdoors. With sunshine on our shoulders and fresh air in our lungs, we traded our daily routines for wine glasses, tie-dye shirts and the kind of memories that only happen when women come together to celebrate the outdoors.
From August 8-10, Austin Campground in Austin, PA was taken over by adventurous women ready to spend time outdoors. Linnette and her wonderful family, who own Austin Campground, were our guides and hosts for the weekend-welcoming us like old friends and making sure every detail was just right. They added a personal touch that made the getaway feel less like a trip and more like a family gathering in the great outdoors.


A Warm Welcome
Linnette’s hospitality set the tone for the whole weekend. She went above and beyond by creating welcome baskets for everyone, each one filled with thoughtful surprises. Inside mine was a white Austin t-shirt that I could use for tie-dye, along with a handmade walking stick as well as s’more ingredients. She even remembered the little details-like including gluten-free pretzels. It was such a kind and personal gesture, and it instantly made us all feel cared for and connected to the campground.
Tie-Dye is a great outdoor activity
One of the weekend highlights was rolling up our sleeves for a tie-dye shirt session. What started as a pile of plain white shirts were transformed into a rainbow forest of wearable art. Some designs were bold and bright, others soft and subtle-but each one unique as the woman who made it. With splashes of color on fabric(and maybe our hands too), we brought home a little piece of weekend’s joy home with us.



Campfires and Constellations
As evening settled in we gathered around the campfire, soaking in its warmth as the cool evening settled in-the first night in a long time that I needed to wear long pants. Overhead, the Perseid meteor shower was set to dazzle, though the clouds and smoky haze drifting down from the Canadian wildfires kept most of the stars hidden from view. Around the campfire, we discovered a new campfire favorite: banana sundaes cooked over the fire-a sweet, gooey treat that quickly became the star of the night.

Gift Exchange Bingo
And because no girls’ getaway is complete without a little friendly competition, and ours came in the form of Gift Exchange Bingo. To make things even more memorable, we were joined by a lively group of biker chicks from the Johnstown Harley Davidson Club, who just happened to be camping as Austin Campground the same weekend. Between laughter, and a little playful rivalry, we all had a blast showing off what we won. The prizes were all really great-everything from candles to beer-and I walked away with a bottle of local honey.
Wine, Cheese and Chocolate
The weekend began on a delicious note with wine tasting by Honey Lane Winery, paired perfectly with cheeses, chocolate and small bites. After about 5 samples, I was already feeling pretty happy. The wines leaned toward the sweeter side and the standout for me was both the blueberry and blackberry mead.


Crafting Wellness: The Forest Mandella
One of the most peaceful parts of the weekend was “Crafting Wellness: The Forest Mandala” led by my friend Sue Scheimer. We wandered through the campground collecting natural treasures-flowers, leaves, twigs, rocks and pine cones-and brought them together to create a temporary mandala. The simple act of creating a temporary mandala felt deeply calming and brought a sense of peace. Mandalas celebrate the beauty and harmony found in nature, and their creation can be a way to connect to the environment while finding tranquility. As we crafted our own personal, nature-inspired mandalas, the simple act of arranging those pieces of nature reduced stress, eased anxiety and reminded us of the grounding peace found in the natural world.

Dinner at Potter County Pub
Because women cannot live on s’mores alone(tragic, but true), we ventured into town for a dinner at the Potter County Pub. With a group our size, we’d wisely made a reservation, but when we arrived, we learned the cook had quit(they told us he called in sick), and dinner would take an hour and a half. The owner and the waitresses were trying their best to fill in. With no other options nearby and our drivers who dropped us off had left, we decided to make the best of it. We played pictionary and whisper down the lane and soon the room was full of laughter. Sure, our stomachs were grumbling, but we made it fun and kept spirits high. Would I eat there again? Well…let’s just say the jury’s still out.

Wild and Fearless: Building Confidence for Solo Adventures
I had the chance to present a session called Wild and Fearless: Building Confidence for Solo Adventures. I wanted to give women the tools and confidence to head outdoors on their own, so we talked about everything from safety and preparedness to the very real experiences of being a woman adventuring solo. And yes-we even covered the not-so-glamorous but super important stuff, like how to pee and poo in the woods. It was my favorite topic and was honest and funny. We also had a raffle with some awesome donated items, including Purple Lizard Maps, pee funnels from Freshette and P-style and Kula pee clothes-all great tools to make solo adventures easier and more comfortable. More than anything, I hoped everyone walked away feeling empowered, capable and excited to take on their own adventures.
A Perfect Sunday Finale

Why This Ladies’ Wilderness Getaway Rocked
This weekend wasn’t just a getaway-it was a reset button for the sole. Between wine and wellness, campfires and constellations, tie-dye and laughter, we found the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation and connection. The women who came weren’t afraid to laugh out loud or try something new, and that energy made the experience unforgettable. The Austin Campground itself made everything even better-it was one of the cleanest campgrounds I’ve ever been to, and the shower house was amazing(which, let’s be honest, is no small thing when camping). Linnette’s thoughtful planning was clear in every detail, while not starting at the crack of dawn and still leaving us free time to explore on our own-like when I went biking in the Susquehannock Forest. It was just a fantastic, well-planned weekend from start to finish, and I truly hope she hosts it again in the future.
