Wildness & Wisdom Women’s Retreat Details and Itinerary
TRIP DATES:
June 27th (Thursday)
June 28th (Friday)
June 29th (Saturday)
June 30th (Sunday)
$575-825 for a full weekend
Included:
Expert, Medically Trained/EMT/First Responder Guides
Group First Aid Kit
Group Cooking Gear for Dinner (including stoves and fuel)
Water Filtration
Dinners, Light Breakfast, Hot Beverages, and Trail Snacks
An Amazing Wilderness Experience
NOt Included:
Transportation
Personal Backpacking Gear Including Personal Cooking Gear
Breakfast and Lunches (although very abundant supply of trail snacks will be provided)
Insurance of any kind
Guide Gratuities (no expectations)
Sample Itinerary:
Thursday June 27th
Arrival
Opening Circle
Introduction to
retreat
Self introductions
Entering the Gates
of Wildness
Group walk/hike/
exploration
Free time
Swimming /hiking/
resting/ anything
Dinner
volunteers
Introduce jobs/service
Sunset mindfulness
Fire Circle
story telling
Teachings
deeper soul exploration
council
Closing mindfulness and reflection before bed time
Friday June 28th
Morning Meditation
Morning Dance/movement Practice
Breakfast
Morning Council
Teachings
Prep for Wander
LoNger Solo Wander
lunch during solo time
small group council
soul exploration
Large Group Check in
Free time
swimming/ hiking/ resting/ anything
Dinner
volunteers
Sunset Meditation
teachings
NIght wander
Fire Circle Council
Closing mindfulness and reflection before bed time
Saturday June 29th
Morning Meditation
Morning Dance/movement Practice
Breakfast
Morning Council
Teachings
Prep for Wander
LoNger Solo Wander
lunch during solo time
small group council
soul exploration
Large Group Check in
Free time
swimming/ hiking/ resting/ anything
Dinner
volunteers
Sunset Meditation
teachings
NIght wander
Fire Circle Council
Closing mindfulness and reflection before bed time
Morning Meditation
Morning Dance/movement Practice
Breakfast
Morning Council
Teachings
sharings
Solo Wander
lunch during solo time
Small Groups
small group council
soul exploration
Large Group Check in
Free time
swimming/ hiking/ resting/ anything
Dinner
volunteers
Sunset Meditation
Fire Circle
story telling
teachings
Council
Closing mindfulness and reflection before bed time
Sunday June 30th
Morning Meditation
Morning Dance/movement Practice
Breakfast
Morning Council
teachings
sharings
Group or Solo Wander
lunch during solo time
Small Groups
Small group council
Soul exploration
Large Group Closing
council
soul reflection
Essential Items:
Lightweight, 2-3 season backpacking tent
Backpacking pack (60L recommended)
Sleeping bag rated 15 to 25 degrees
Sleeping pad
Water bottle
Mess kit (bowl, insulated cup, spork)
Headlamp or flashlight
Sunglasses
Toiletries (lightweight, travel size): lip balm, sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, prescribed medications
Insect repellant
Hiking boots
Light camp chair or something comfortable to sit on the ground (foam pad, backpacking chair, etc.)
Clothing - Wool or synthetic, no cotton
Socks (2-3)
Underwear (2-3)
Bras (1-2)
Hiking pants/shorts
Hiking top
Baselayer top (1)
Baselayer pants (1)
Packing List:
Warm layer for nighttime: fleece or puffy jacket
T shirt or tank top
Sun hat
Warm hat
Rain jacket
Swim suit
Small camping towel
Fun accessory or special clothing item for fire circle
Lightweight journaling supplies (small notebook, pen)
A picture of you from any time in your life
A special personal object for the community altar
Optional Items:
Lightweight instruments for singing at the campfire
Moist towelettes
Lightweight camp shoes (flip flops, crocs, etc)
Bandanas
Camera
Small camping towel
Trekking poles
Ear plugs
Camp pillow
Lightweight day pack
Personal water filter
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Resources for beginner backpackers (and all levels too!)
Sample Clothing List:
Here’s what Steph usually wears on a backpacking trip. Keep in mind this is a simple setup - you may want more articles of clothing to be more comfortable. Please also remember to bring the other items listed in the required packing list!!
1 pair hiking pants
1 pair shorts
1 t-shirt
1 long sleeve shirt
Puffy jacket
Light fleece sweatshirt
Rain jackeT
Leggings for nighttime/sleeping
Tank top for nighttime/sleeping
Sports bra
Underwear
Trail running shoes
A lightweight pair of sandals for camP
Food packing recommendations
We will provide a full dinner and light breakfasts, such as oatmeal, and trail snacks. You will be providing your own additional breakfast foods and lunch for the duration of the trip (4 lunches, 3 breakfasts). Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative! The name of the game here is food that is light, packable/crushable in a backpack, and doesn’t need to be refrigerated for an extended period of time. Steph is happy to provide additional recommendations, especially for those with dietary restrictions. Please get in touch!
Breakfast (x3)
Lunch (x4)
Here’s a sample menu of what we will be providing:
Noodles with peanut sauce
Couscous with chicken, pistachios, dried cherries, and tomatoes
Rice with lentils and naan
Tortellini with veggies
We will provide high quality, high protein and high energy dinners and snacks that will nourish and satisfy you.
Where to find, rent, and purchase gear
Please do not feel pressure to purchase a full kit of brand-new backpacking gear for this trip.
Gear you may already have:
A compostable or plastic fork and spoon will work as a backpacking eating utensil.
A lightweight plastic tupperware can be used to eat (or drink!) out of. No glass!
Though headlamps are convenient, a flashlight or bike light will work too. Using your phone as a flashlight isn’t recommended as it’ll drain your battery quickly.
Plastic or silicone baggies make for great backpack organizer cubes and to re-package the food and toiletries you’ll need for the trip into
Rentals:
Bay Area: Sports Basement (pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp)
Truckee/Tahoe: Tahoe Mountain Sports (pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad)
REI Locations that offer rentals: - Bay area: Richmond, Berkeley
- Eastern Sierra: Reno - Central valley: Sacramento, Folsom - PNW: Portland, Olympia, Tacoma - SoCal: San Diego, Tustin, Santa Monica - Vegas - Salt Lake City
New gear:
Check out your local outdoor outfitter!
Bay Area: Sports Basement
Truckee/Tahoe: Tahoe Mountain Sports
All REI locations
Please contact Steph with any gear-related questions or concerns you may have.
Used gear stores:
Bay Area: last minute burger
Reno: Gear hut
Safety Guidelines - please read!
Bears are present in the Tahoe National Forest. We will be practicing bear safety by storing all food, cookware, and toiletries away from the campsite. To increase the efficiency of storage of these supplies at night, please bring only the amount of toiletries, food, and snacks that you will need for the duration of the trip. Travel-size containers or repackaging supplies into small baggies can be helpful. For more information about bear safety in Tahoe National Forest, please click here.
Please ensure that you have at least 1 water bottle with you. A hard-sided plastic or metal bottle is recommended. If you are using a hydration bladder, please bring an extra water bottle in case the hydration bladder breaks.
Pack light! Although we will be hiking a short distance to our campsite, you will be carrying all of your own gear, which can weigh up to 35-45 lbs. Light, versatile layers, enough food and snacks for the trip, travel-size toiletries, and avoiding heavy items and extra gear will help keep your pack light.
The campsite and beautiful forest we will be recreating in is at an altitude of 6800 feet or more, which increases the intensity of solar radiation. Please drink plenty of water and use your sun protection gear: hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Long pants and light, long-sleeve shirts can also help limit sun exposure.
Cell service may be limited in the Tahoe National Forest. It is recommended to either print out full driving directions or ensure that the directions will continue on your phone with loss of service.