You’ve heard the stories, you’ve seen the pictures, you’re still drooling...our Gourmet Camp Cooking weekends are back! Discover all the delicacies you can create around a campsite with Chef Katie Porter to cook up a weekend full of delicious food, good hiking and cozy cabin vibes.
And Wanderers, just know that this menu is going to be to DIE for. Chef Katie specializes in locally-grown, farm-to-table style food, many ingredients coming from her own garden. This weekend will be full of camping luxury and mouthwatering meals. Chef Katie will also be preparing specialty campfire cocktails & mocktails each night—could it get any better?
Oh wait, it could. Chef Katie will also be giving two camp cooking demonstrations, so you can replicate her recipes on your own trips. She’ll be teaching an early morning biscuit making demonstration, and then an afternoon dutch oven dessert demo, where she’ll show you the ins and outs of dutch oven cooking over a fire—heat, techniques and timing! AND, you’ll get a collection of Chef Katie’s recipes to take home with you. This one is a can’t-miss for any foodie!
About Chef Katie Porter
Katie Porter has been in the culinary industry for 25 years. Originally from Mt. Ayr, Iowa she got her start at the American Culinary Federation of Colorado Mountain College and has held culinary positions across the country and internationally before returning to Iowa. Katie focuses on highlighting local foods in her cooking and values the relationships she has built with Iowa producers. In addition to sharing her culinary talents on Wander Women trips, she also provides cooking classes, farm dinners, and private events around town. Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys canoeing, camping and hiking, tending to her garden, and seeing live music.
*Because of the nature of this trip, we are unable to accommodate specific dietary restrictions.
Adventure Rating: Beginner
This trip is rated beginner because of our modern accommodations and low programmed level of hiking and activity. The hike will be beginner-friendly at a casual pace.
ACTIVITIES
Food and food appreciation is the name of this game, Wanderer. You’ll enjoy 5 chef-cooked meals made fresh in front of your eyes, plus snacks and cocktails/mocktails. Chef Katie loves demonstrating for folks, and you’ll get to see the magic happen for every meal.
After breakfast Saturday, we’ll head out for a nice digestive hike around Cordova Park, a beautiful park on the shores of Lake Red Rock, a super underrated area for hiking.
But don’t worry, this weekend is all about relaxation, too. We invite you to unwind and rest as much as you need. This trip is full of hammocking, mini solo yoga sessions, reading breaks, journaling and anything else you can think of to unwind and live in the moment. A slower pace is encouraged for this trip, and we hope you take the push!
ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCATION
We’ll be calling 2 large private cabins at Cordova Park home for the weekend. The cabins are modern, with 2 full bathrooms each. There are two private rooms with queen beds and one room with three bunked twins in each cabin. The cabins come equipped with heat, A/C, multiple living spaces and full kitchens. Wanderers will select their bed choice at registration.
About Cordova Park
Cordova Park is an 1100 acre area situated on bluffs overlooking Lake Red Rock. The name Cordova is derived from the small town that occupied this location from 1887-1962. The park has seven modern cabins available for rent year round, all with a great view of Lake Red Rock. For a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area, climb the 169 steps to the top of the park’s 106’ observation tower, the tower does not currently charge for use but donations are accepted. On a clear day, landmarks 35 miles away may be viewed with the naked eye. Home to abundant wildlife, modern cabins and the observation tower; Cordova Park is considered a year round travel destination. Source: mycountyparks.com
GETTING THERE
If you are flying in from outside of Iowa, the closest airport is the Des Moines International Airport (DSM). You’ll need to rent a car to get to the cabins (~45 min drive), or arrange carpool with a local Wanderer. Carpooling details are sent pre-trip in the private trip Discord channel. Carpooling arrangements can’t be guaranteed, but we try our best to connect Wanderers for coordination!
“The surroundings were beautiful, accomodations more than perfect, and food was without a doubt the best part.”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your registration provides you:
Expert planning and a Wander Women guide to help make the weekend as seamless and fun as possible!
Two nights of comfortable lodging in park cabins
All food for the weekend, prepared by Chef Katie, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and beverages
Guided interpretive nature hike
Wanderer swag bag full of goodies
A private trip Discord channel to connect with guides and fellow participants before & after the trip
Comprehensive pre-trip online guide with detailed logistics, packing recommendations, and trip tips
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Participants will be responsible for providing/paying for:
Transportation to/from trip (we always encourage carpooling and can connect you with other participants to ride with!) and trip activity locations
INVESTMENT
There are multiple bed and room choices for this trip — pick which is best for you!
Bunked twin in shared room: $625
Queen bed in private room: $695
PAYMENT PLAN
We offer payment plans for all our trips, so you can pay a deposit now and the rest over time! WeTravel (our booking platform) easily lets you make a downpayment (this is also your non-refundable trip deposit!) and set up automatic payments for the remainder. For the payment plan schedule, just check the WeTravel page for details. There is NO fee for choosing the payment plan option!
Deposit for this trip: $315/$345