Women of Color Wilderness Trip

A dedicated space for women of color* who seek to connect with their spiritual self in nature.

*Women of color: any individual who self-identifies as a woman, trans-inclusive, and as non-white such as Black, Hispanic/Latinas, AAPIs (Asian and Pacific Islanders), Native Americans, Indigenous people and mixed race people.

Trip Details

July 4th-9th, 2021 at the Golden Trout Wilderness School

Balanced Rock has been offering a Women of Color (WOC) Wilderness Retreat since 2004 offering programs that provide empowering opportunities for WOC to gather in supportive communities while exploring beautiful natural areas and connecting with public lands.

BR’s Mission is to inspire health and wellbeing through deep connection to nature and spirit. These courses include mindfulness practices, hikes and shared adventure, journal writing and personal reflection, facilitated group experiences and much more!

With COVID-19, many of us may have experienced challenges and have been feeling the toll of pandemic and isolation. We want to dedicate this retreat space to women of color who seek to connect with their spiritual self in nature.

Through sharing and reflecting on both challenging and uplifting stories in tandem with nurturing self-care practices, we create a welcoming and supportive space for collective healing in nature. Each one of the participants & instructors comes with their own wisdom. Everyone has something to offer and something to receive from each other.

Come reconnect with yourself and find peace. We want our participants to walk away with a feeling of empowerment for their own self-care so that they can take care of their community and the earth.

During the course of this retreat we will focus on connecting with our inner and outer landscapes, sharing story and meals, spend healing time in nature, building community, exploring identity, reflecting in our journals and, and resting with an incredible community of women of color in the beautiful Golden Trout Wilderness just south of Mt. Whitney.

“These safe places are important for WOC. Thank you for allowing this trip to happen. It was an indescribable and unforgettable experience. This is an opportunity that is hard to come by. Thank you for allowing this space to be ONLY WOC.” -Past WOC Program Participant

Program Price

$925.00

Tuition Assistance is available through Balanced Rock upon request.

Tentative Itinerary

We will incorporate many rituals, cultural practices and mindfulness practices that help us bond and ground ourselves. We will respect and celebrate many identities, cultures and experiences. Our instructors are excited to share some of their traditions and knowledge. Ursula will begin each morning with blessings and will share basket weaving, songs and stories from her Yosemite Ahwahneechee/Mono Lake Paiute Kuzedika/ Coast Miwok/ Kashaya Pomo culture, and Miho will share her ritual from Japan before and after our meals as well as meditation practices.

July 4th: hike in to the camp (2.5 miles) Meet at trailhead by 1pm to walk in together

July 5th – July 8th: See below sample schedule which will include possible activities such as: meditation, art & natural history day hike, basket weaving class, group hike, optional challenge hike or peak ascent, yoga, sharing circles, wilderness navigation practice, etc.

July 9th: Morning practice, breakfast, closing circle, hike out to the trail head (2.5 miles) Return to trailhead by 1pm.

Sample Daily Schedule for July 5th-8th

• Morning blessings with Ursula
• Breakfast & pack lunch
• Hike to destination
• Lunch along trail
• Afternoon activity
• Free time
• Dinner
• Evening circle by fire or candlelight

*Registered participants will receive a detailed Welcome Letter with the exact trailhead location, what to pack, and other important info.

Covid-19 Safety Protocols

We will follow general guidelines of social distancing and masks inside spaces. Note: we will be having meals outside and participants will sleep in tent cabins, their own tents, or outside under stars.

In order to participate in this program we will need documentation of:

• You have received your 1st shot of the COVID-19 vaccine*
• A proof of a negative test within 72 hrs of the program
• Signed COVID waiver (will be required at registration online)
• No signs or symptoms of flu upon arrival

*We acknowledge that although we would like a full vaccination to be a requirement to attend the course, we understand that not everyone can get fully vaccinated in time. Those who are fully vaccinated can share the documentation and that’s all they need to submit. For folks who are not vaccinated, we ask to receive 1st shot and a proof of that in tandem with proof of a negative test within 72 hrs of the program. We are asking for vaccination because in this wilderness setting instructors may have to respond to any minor or major medical situations during the program and potentially have a close contact with participants such as providing CPR. For this reason, we are requiring a full vaccination or at least one shot of vaccine.

Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions or concerns on the COVID-19 Safety Protocols.

About the Location

This wilderness retreat will be held in a beautiful remote place on the Eastern slopes of the High Sierra at an elevation of 10,200ft. We highly recommend spending a night before the trip at an elevation of 6,000-8,000ft in order to allow yourself to acclimatize to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness. We will base out of the Golden Trout Wilderness School in GTC Wilderness and access trails in Sequoia National Park and US Forest Service.

We will be sleeping in tent cabins and there will be an amazing cook on staff. Most dietary needs/requests can be accommodated. There are pit toilets and a rudimentary shower at the camp.

Our team is happy to offer recommendations on nearby lodgings and accommodations to help you plan for this trip!