River Reflections

Nurture your creative self. Draw inspiration and insight from the natural world on a four-day canoeing and creative arts course designed to spark self-discovery through journaling, drawing and other forms of art in nature. Explore beyond the traditional concept of journaling through words, as you get to know yourself and your surroundings in a new way. Learn new artistic techniques from our experienced staff and broaden your wilderness skills through an introduction to canoeing, river camping and backcountry ethics.

Daily creative projects will celebrate and incorporate the environment through which we travel, including day-hikes and plenty of time to simply soak in the diverse and amazing Green River ecosystem. Relish this unique adventure as you broaden your observational focus through open-ended artistic exploration, new skills, and a fantastic group of co-creators. Begins and ends in Moab, UT.

What can I expect on a Women's Wilderness Course?Our courses are real-life adventures, and the excitingly unpredictable nature of a real expedition makes every course different. Unlike a guided, "adventure travel vacation," this is YOUR adventure, and you'll be a full participant in the course, including cooking meals, setting up camp, and meeting as a group to plan and organize each day. You can expect some "down-time" for hanging out and talking, or journal writing time, but mostly you will be actively learning, doing, and moving.

What Do I Need to Bring?Not much! After you have enrolled you will be sent a packet that will include a list of things to bring. Women's Wilderness can supply all canoeing gear, including canoes and PFD's (life jackets), tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. In most cases we can loan you clothing if needed, including raingear and fleece clothes. If you desire, you are welcome to bring your own dry bag. Thanks to Sierra Designs, our 2010 sponsor, we have women-specific sleeping bags available to demo. Just email us to arrange.

Where Are We Going?The Green River meanders peacefully through Labyrinth Canyon as it carves its way through deepening walls of slickrock sandstone. Tributary side canyons offer fantastic hikes to ancient ruins and rock art. This is a gentle, Class I stretch of water, perfect for beginning canoers and those who want a relaxing river experience through a rugged, remote landscape. The put-in will be approximately 15 miles south of Green River, Utah, and the take out will be at Mineral Bottom, about 50 miles downstream. The Green River and the entrance where we "put-in" is a 6.5-hour drive from Boulder.

How Will I Get to the Course Site?The course will begin and end in Moab, UT, and transportation will be provided from there to the put-in. Optional transportation from Boulder is provided, to and from Moab, for an additional fee of $90. The van will leave Boulder at 1:00 pm on the afternoon before the course. Details about the meeting place and reduced rates for lodging in Moab will be provided in your confirmation packet.

*This is a proposed itinerary. Due to unforeseen events, the actual itinerary and timing will vary according to the needs of the group and weather.

What Will We Eat? All meals are included in course cost. There is always plenty to eat, and we pack snacks for munching throughout the day. However, if you have your favorite snack items, feel free to bring them along as well. Meals are designed to accommodate a full range of preferences - from vegetarian to full meat protein-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.

What About Fitness?You should be in good general health for this course, but a high level of aerobic fitness is not required. Strength training for upper body, abs, and back is recommended for paddling. Terrain around the campsites will be rugged, and you should be comfortable walking short distances.

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.
8 days or less: 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: