Pine Camp Native Plants and Trees Meetup Group

Autumn is the time to slow down, reflect, and observe the changes in the forest. Join us for another relaxing outdoor experience that deeply connects you with nature.
The City of Richmond's Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center is holding a free retreat which includes a peaceful forest therapy session, mindful nature and art activities, chi-kung, and a tranquil sound bath. Certified guides will lead you through the Pine Camp Forest. Sound bath will be provided by Elena and Alyssa will lead us through a sensory plant experience.

Unless there is severe weather, we go rain or shine. We embrace the rain!
If it's raining heavily, we will move the event inside for a short period and then go back to playing in the forest.

NEW for 2026: There is a fee of twenty dollars for non City of Richmond residents payable to the Parks and Recreation Dept. You can call 804-646-3677 to pay ahead of time or you can pay at the event. If you live in the City of Richmond, it's free.

Event is limited to 45 people. Open to anyone age 16 and above. For more information, please call: 804-646-3680 or email pinecampforest@gmail.com

This playful event is part of Richmond Tree Week and is in conjunction with the World Tree Hugging Association. It's a reminder of how deeply connected we are to our urban forests. It will begin at the Pine Camp Trailhead with a mindful warmup, a short talk about the benefits of trees, and finish with a three-part contest to determine the City of Richmond Tree Hugging Champion. Costumes are encouraged!

There will be three main events:

Freestyle: Most creative hug. Style open to contestant’s own interpretation, one tree only, lasting maximum one minute. Will be judged on physicality, emotional resonance, and theme, such as costume/story.

Speed hugging: Most trees hugged in one minute.
In a clearly marked area, hugging as many trees as possible in one minute, each hug lasting minimum five seconds.

Intentional: Most intentional hug (showing presence, dedication, love, devotion, commitment, respect) of a specific tree of the contestant’s choice, lasting maximum one minute.

If you want to be a contestant, you must sign up through Meetup. If you want to watch, just show up and cheer!
The judged event is for anyone 16 years or older. All are welcome to watch.