All Inclusive* 2-night Program Starting At:
$480/person - Double Occupancy
$630/person - Single Occupancy
* Includes lodging, meals, program activities and access to optional daily activities and recreational equipment. Learn More about the Great Camp Sagamore experience.
Program Overview
The Adirondacks have long been a place of discovery, healing, and restoration. A joint presentation of Adirondack Riverwalking and Historic Saranac Lake, this retreat presents an opportunity to unplug, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, and connect with its storied past as you experience for yourself the forests' healing benefits.
Program Activities
History discussions will explore the following:
How the Adirondacks became the birthplace of the "American Vacation," and how and why access to this region changed over time.
How Saranac Lake and the surrounding region went from small lumber towns to health resorts for those seeking out the resting cure - a treatment method developed by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau for tuberculosis that emphasized exploring and spending time with nature.
The ways that both vacationers and health seekers' needs and wants led to the unique architecture found throughout the Adirondacks.
Activities that emphasize the ideas introduced in the discussions include:
Guided modern wellness practices that immerse you in nature's healing benefits and deepen your understanding of nature's mental and physical benefits.
Reflective journaling and group discussions to integrate your experiences.
Program Partners
Historic Saranac Lake
Historic Saranac Lake (HSL) operates the Saranac Laboratory Museum, the first laboratory in the U.S. dedicated to studying tuberculosis, located in Saranac Lake, NY. Founded in 1980, HSL offers educational programs and tours, promotes historic preservation, and assists with architectural and historical research.
Adirondack Riverwalking
Adirondack Riverwalking improves human health and wellbeing by strengthening the relationship between people and nature, and by fostering meaningful community between us all through nature sensory practices.
Program Instructors
Helene Gibbens
Helene Gibbens is the founder of Adirondack Riverwalking. A Certified Forest Therapy Guide and wellness educator, Helene has a passion for introducing people to a more restorative and reciprocal relationship with nature. She guides experiences and retreats that allow all people to experience our interconnectedness with nature, as well as the healing benefits of using our senses intentionally to engage with the more than human world (Forest Bathing). Sharing her deep appreciation for the Adirondacks is at the heart of all the programs and experiences she creates.
Alex Krach
Alex Krach is the Program Coordinator at Historic Saranac Lake. With a decade of experience in the museum field, Alex is passionate about connecting people to the past. He designs and leads tours of historic sites, creates educational programs for students, and collaborates with presenters to deepen understanding of Saranac Lake's history as a health resort and Adirondack community. Alex is dedicated to making history accessible to all and works with various organizations to foster a deeper appreciation for Saranac Lake.
Photo Gallery
