NEW LONDON — Picture yourself beneath the warm June sun, next to a babbling brook, enjoying the beautiful New Hampshire wilderness. It’s a peaceful setting for anyone, and for cancer patients being out in nature can be a welcome break from treatment in hospitals.

That’s why New London Hospital is sponsoring a Casting for Recovery retreat, which will take place from June 7-9 at the Barbara C. Harris Center in Greenfield, N.H. Casting for Recovery is a national nonprofit organization that provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer at no cost to the participants.

“It combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing,” said Catherine Bardier, director of wellness and population health at New London Hospital.

The hospital currently is recruiting volunteers to help plan and carry out the first New Hampshire retreat.

“Volunteering for (Casting for Recovery) provides you with an opportunity to help women with breast cancer get away from the everyday stresses and challenge of their cancer,” Bardier said.

Over the weekend, participants will learn about fly fishing, as well as getting education about breast cancer and peer support. The retreat is open to women of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery.

Dr. Benita Walton, a psychiatrist at New London Hospital, helped found Casting for Recovery in 1996. Now she hopes to help establish the program in New Hampshire.

The program has more than 1,600 volunteers nationwide, but since the New Hampshire program is new volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, Bardier said. Volunteer roles range from participant coordinators, who help get participants signed up and relay information before the retreat, to hospitality volunteers who make sure everyone is comfortable during the weekend. New London Hospital also is looking for fly fishing instructors and guides to help teach participants about fly fishing and river navigation during the weekend.

“There are many volunteer roles on the planning committee and for the retreat staff,” Bardier said.

The time commitment will depend on the role a volunteer takes on, she said. Although the retreat is for women, both male and female volunteers are both welcome.

Anyone interested in volunteering should visit https://castingforrecovery.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/ to learn more about volunteer opportunities and sign up. Participants must sign up for the retreat by March 29 and can do so at https://castingforrecovery.org/retreats.