queer joy circle
Cultivating joy through nature connection and queer community.
Practice Joy
Join a small group of LGBTQ+ adults for a series where we practice joy. Sometimes the heaviness of the world and the monotony of life can make it hard to feel joyful. But queer joy isn’t something that just appears, it requires action. Queer Joy Circle is a curated space to practice joy through spending time in nature, deepening connection to yourself and other queer folks, creativity, movement, and play. Together, we’ll find ways to make joy feel easier to access in everyday life.
A typical evening will look like:
Welcome circle
Guided nature-based interventions to foster joy
Connection with self/others/and the land
Creative and mindful activities
Closing ritual to carry joy into the week
Each week we will have a different theme to guide our joy-building. Come as you are. You deserve the possibilities.
*This isn’t group therapy. Queer Joy Circle is a guided gathering series to spend time outdoors with other LGBTQ+ folks. The curriculum has been designed thoughtfully by an ecotherapist to be trauma-informed and nature-based, but it is not therapy.
Weekly Schedule
Biweekly Tuesdays | 6pm-8pm
-
Welcome to the land! Explore your relationship with joy. Deepen your connection to nature and discover new ways of relating to the natural world.
-
No artistic experience needed. We’ll create a mandala and use art in nature to express ourselves.
-
Listen to our bodies and intuition to move, stretch, or dance. Whatever feels good to you.
-
Celebrating what we’ve built together through shared rituals and time in nature.
$200 to register for all meetings
-cost covers thoughtful curriculum, admin, supplies and materials (e.g., snacks and basic art supplies), prep and planning between sessions, and intentional community
*This is designed as a four-part experience, and each meeting builds on the last. Please register only if you can attend most or all of the sessions.
-
Crosby Farms Regional Park. An exact location with directions will be emailed to you the week before we meet.
-
I will email you to cancel Queer Joy Circle if the weather is not safe (e.g., extreme low temps, lightning). However, the natural world provides so many lessons for healing and growth, even during different seasons and weather. I plan to be there in rain or shine, and we can weather it together.
-
One of the benefits of nature-based healing is finding movements that benefit you - sometimes this may involve sitting peacefully by the river, other times it may involve walking along a path, other times it may involve a more rigorous hike. I encourage you to bring:
Walking shoes
Journal and pen
Weather appropriate activewear
Water and/or trail snacks
Any medications you may need - if you have allergies, take your medications beforehand
Sunscreen and/or bugspray
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We always move slowly, but sometimes the gathering takes place off-trail on uneven ground with small hills and natural obstacles. While we take breaks, it does involve sustained time on your feet. You’re welcome to move at your own pace or step away as needed.
-
These events are intentionally queer-centered spaces to promote queer joy, queer connection, and queer resilience.
If you’re questioning your identity, you are welcome to join!
-
The price is $200 total and includes all 4 meetings.
This is designed as a four-part experience, and each meeting builds on the last. Please register only if you can attend most or all of the sessions.
Cancellations made 14 or more days before the first meeting receive a full refund.
Cancellations made 7–13 days before the first meeting receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations made less than 7 days before the group begins are non-refundable.
If we’re able to fill your spot from the waitlist prior to the series starting, you'll receive a full refund.
If you're unable to attend after the group has started, refunds are not available for missed sessions.
Madelyn Steen
NATURE BASED HEALING
My name is Madelyn Steen and I’m a queer trauma ecotherapist by day and I also have my retreat business, softwildjoy, which I’m extremely passionate about. I created softwildjoy because I found my own healing existed not only in therapy, but also outside its walls, in connection with the natural world and in community with others. I truly found my joy for life when I was hiking in the woods with friends. Nature is a powerful ally and has taught me so many lessons I carry through life. Why “softwildjoy”? I aim for life to be a combination of soft ease, a bit of wild spontaneity, and joyful moments. My events are a reflection of this and I hope to see you there!