Retreat for Cancer Suvivors

August 26-29, 2010
$590
This retreat is a powerful, energizing way for women survivors of cancer to build the courage, confidence, and self-acceptance needed to take the next steps forward in their lives. This retreat creates strong social support for women in all stages of healing, deepening connection with one’s self and affording opportunities to process internally or share experiences in the company of others on a similar journey.

What Should I Expect?This retreat will strive to harness the healing power of the natural world to help guide and support you through the challenging process of recovery. All participants will enjoy the sharing of cooking, camp chores, and responsibilities of living outdoors. You can expect your two facilitators to take on many different roles during the course. Both have experience working with cancer survivors in the outdoors, as well as close personal relationship with cancer in their own lives. The primary job of the staff is to ensure physical and emotional safety for all participants, as well as to help the group create a fun, non-judgmental atmosphere of support and encouragement.

What Do I Need to Bring?Not much! After you have enrolled you will be sent a packet that includes a list of things to bring. Women’s Wilderness can supply all gear, including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and stoves. In most cases we can loan you outdoor clothing if needed, including raingear and fleece clothes. When you meet on the evening before your course, the staff will make sure you have all the appropriate gear and clothing, and will loan you what is needed. Thanks to Sierra Designs, we have women-specific sleeping bags available to demo. Just email us to arrange.

Where Are We Going? Blue Moon Ranch is a privately owned piece of land covering 150 acres near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, approximately 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins. Rock outcrops, wildflowers, meadows, and forests cover the area, offering plenty of terrain and exploring. A covered cooking shelter, propane stoves, and a “Sunny Jane” composting toilet provide a comfortable camping environment.

Itinerary The exact itinerary will vary according to the needs and interests of individuals and the group. Day time activities include low ropes course “initiatives” with themes covering issues common to survivors of cancer, art projects, journal writing, and exploring the land. One day will be spent rock climbing, with lots of different climbs offering a wide variety of challenges and choices. Optional solo time will be available, ranging from several hours to overnight. Evening activities will include discussions, creative activities, and enjoying the night skies together. Plenty of light play time is also an important element!

Pre-Trip Meeting There will be a pre-trip meeting from 5-7pm on the evening before the course. This meeting gives participants a chance to meet one another, the staff, check and borrow gear and clothing, get last minute questions answered, and confirm carpooling plans. Please bring everything to the meeting that you’re planning on taking, and your field staff will help you make sure you have what you need and don’t have what you don’t need.

What Will We Eat? All food is included in the course cost. There is always plenty to eat, and we pack snacks for munching throughout the day. Meals are designed to accommodate a full range of preferences – from vegetarian to full meat loving divas! We can accommodate some common food allergies and dietary needs, so if you have dietary restrictions please let us know at least one week before your course.

How Will I Get to the Course Site?Transportation will be provided from the Women’s Wilderness office in Boulder to Blue Moon Ranch.

What About Fitness?The Cancer Survivors course will take place entirely outdoors. Participants will be sleeping in tents, and physically active for most of the day. The course requires good health, but does not require more than average physical fitness. The most strenuous aerobic activity will be walking uphill for approximately 20 minutes; rock climbing and other activities can be done with an average amount of strength; and the level of participation in all activities is in your hands. If you have questions about your level of fitness or would like suggestions about how to physically prepare for your course, please give us a call.

Financial AidScholarships are available for low and lower-middle income women. In order to stretch the available funding to serve as many women as possible, we ask that each woman applying for financial aid make an honest assessment of what she can afford. Those that receive financial aid may be asked to write a thank you letter. Please request a financial aid application if you would like to apply.

Payment Schedule & Cancellation PolicyA $60 application fee will hold your spot on the course for two weeks while you receive and return your completed enrollment packet. This fee is non-refundable, unless for some reason we cannot accept you on the course. Half of the remaining course fee is due with registration, and the rest of the fee is due two months before the course start. Payment plans may be able to be arranged - please contact us if this would help you pay for the course.

CANCELLATION POLICY - PLEASE READ!Our cancellation/refund policy is based on our investment in staff time, course planning, and food and equipment purchases before your course. Course tuition includes a $60 nonrefundable application fee.

Cancellation refunds will be given according to the following schedule:

Days prior to course start:

More than 60 days: 100% of full tuition minus $60 application fee.
21-59 days: 50% minus $60 application fee.
8-20 days: No refunds, however 50% minus the $60 application fee may be transferred to another course in 2010.
Less than 7 days: No refunds or transfers.

If we cancel a trip: TWWI reserves the right to cancel a trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate. If this happens, we will fully refund the stated cost including the application fee. However, TWWI is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip, e.g. transportation costs, gear, etc.

Trip InsuranceSafeguard your adventure! Plans can change without warning, which is why we recommend securing your course by investing in trip insurance, for example with:
Travelguard.com 1.800.826.4919       Insuremytrip.com 1.800.487.4722