ARE YOU READY TO WANDER?

A Note from Jenn & Kerri

Hi Wanderer!

We hope you’re as excited as we are about our upcoming adventure! The weekend will be full of relaxation, connection and discovery — the perfect getaway. We’ve included everything you’ll need to know about the trip in this packet. Packing list, directions, park information — it’s all here!

We ask that you come as you are — there’s no right way to wander! We grant Wanderers and ourselves the right to be imperfect or nervous, and encourage a “challenge by choice” mentality — letting you decide when you’ll step outside your comfort zone, knowing it’s often rewarding when you do. We ask that you great all your fellow Wanderers with curiosity, generosity and mutual respect. By the end of the weekend, we want you to feel confident in newfound skills, your place in the outdoors and your part in this community. That’s what these trips are all about!

If you have any questions after reading this booklet, please don’t hesitate to reach out! See you very soon!

Our values & norms

  • At Wander Women, we ask that Wanderers embody these values and norms during your experience with us:

  • We do not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or fatphobia. We aim to empower and create opportunities for all Wanderers outdoors.

  • We as guides assume good intent of all Wanderers, but if you experience something harmful or uncomfortable during your trip, please come to us.

  • Come authentically as you are, and celebrate how others come as well.

  • Embrace flexibility this weekend.

  • Be a steward of the land and each other.

  • Be open to entering into new relationships and experiences. 

Trip Details

About Dolliver Memorial State Park

Dolliver Memorial State Park in northwest Iowa is unique for its natural bluffs and geological formations. Dolliver overlooks the Des Moines River Valley and spreads across 594 acres of flatlands and rugged trails. Highlights of the park include Boneyard Hollow, the Copperas Beds and historic Native American mounds. Take your time while venturing in this surprising park and try spotting some of the hidden surprises Dolliver has to offer. Source: Iowa DNR

Arrival & Directions

We’ll be camping at the Dolliver Campground at Dolliver Memorial State Park. We will plan on meeting at site #17 around 5:30/6pm. We have campsite #17 reserved, and plan to get the campsites adjacent to site 17 (they are first come, first serve so our guides will go snag those campsites before participants arrive). There are modern restrooms available at the campground not far from our campsite.

Dolliver Memorial State Park
12757 Dolliver Park Ave,
Lehigh, IA 50557

Please plan to arrive at the campground by 6 pm. If you have trouble finding us, please call or text Rachel at 952-797-6278 or Kirsten at 515-802-6221. Please note that service can be spotty at Dolliver, so please be prepared with directions.

If you for some reason cannot get ahold of the guides, please contact Joy at 515-783-7903, Jenn at 515-681-2083 or Kerri at 319-331-2486.

Meet your guides

A note on tipping

Tipping guides on Wander Women trips is not expected — however, if you were impressed with your guides and would like to show your appreciation through tipping, you’re welcome to do so! Typically, guides in the outdoor or travel industries rely (sometimes fully) on tips to make living wages, but at Wander Women we pride ourselves on fairly compensating guides for the hard work they do so that they don’t need to rely on tips. However, we know some participants have wanted to tip in the past. If you would like to tip your guides after the trip, you can bring cash with you or use common money exchanging apps like Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp.

  • Rachel’s Venmo is @Rachel-Vipond, Paypal is @RachelVipond, and her CashApp is $RachelVipond.

  • Kirsten’s Venmo is@KMPlowman and her Paypal is @kmplowman.

Packing list

PLEASE READ: Gear Rental

If you have chosen to bring your own gear instead of renting from us, you are expected to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. If you do not have those items, please reach out to us ASAP about renting.

If you have chosen gear rental for your trip, a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad will be waiting for you on arrival night!

What YOU Bring 

  • Personal items such as toiletries, medications, journal, headphones, book, etc. 

  • Sturdy shoes for hiking 

  • Sandals or slippers that are easy to slip on and off to wear around camp 

  • Long pants 

  • Long sleeved shirt 

  • Sweatshirt 

  • T-shirts 

  • Pair of shorts 

  • Underwear&bras 

  • Swimming suit 

  • Pajamas 

  • Jacket 

  • Long underwear 

  • 2-3 pairs of socks 

  • Pillow or two 

  • Hat 

  • Gloves or mittens 

  • Towel 

  • Headlamp

  • Sunglasses 

  • Sunscreen 

  • Waterbottle 

  • Backpack that can be used for a day hike 

  • Small lunch cooler (we’ve got the bento boxes and ice packs) 

  • Additional snacks or beverages

What We Bring  (So You Don’t Have To) 

  • Camping Chairs

  • Lanterns

  • Mess Kits

  • Bento Boxes

  • ALL the food

  • Non Alcoholic Beverages

  • All other cooking gear and equipment

  • Down time activities: books, coloring books, colored pencils, various card games

  • Hand sanitizer, lysol wipes, baby wipes

Menstruation & Camping

If you will be menstruating while on the trip, don’t fear! We will have access to modern restrooms with running water and flush toilets near our camp.

Itinerary

  • • 5:30-6 pm: Wanderers arrive and set up camp

    • 6 pm: Free time to get settled in, meet fellow wanderers and explore the area

    • 6:30 pm: Camp dinner

    • 7 pm: Opening fire circle

    • 9 pm onward: Relax! Enjoy some s’mores and conversations around the campfire. Then crawl into your cozy tent for some well deserved rest.

  • • 7:30 am: First round of coffee will be ready

    • 8:30 am: Breakfast

    • 9:30 am: Depart for a hike

    • 12 pm: Lunch on the trail

    • Upon return to camping area after hike : Down time at the campsite. You can read a book, journal, take a nap, play games, do yoga, take another hike - it’s up to you!

    • 6 pm: Dinner is served

    • 8:00 pm: Fire circle

  • • 7:30 am: First round of coffee will be ready

    • 8:30 am: Breakfast

    • 9:30 am: Break down camp and head home

This weekend is yours!
This itinerary is just a suggestion — we want this weekend to be exactly what you need, so YOU can choose what to do.

*times on itinerary are approximate and depend on weather, group and other circumstances.

Menu

  • • Dinner: Hot Dog Bar (vegan & vegetarian options available), chips & dips, salad

    • Dessert: S’mores Bar

  • • Breakfast: Breakfast tacos, fruit, instant oatmeal

    • Lunch: Hiking Bento Boxes (veggies, dips, meat & cheese, crackers, trail mix, chips, fruit)

    • Dinner: Veggie Chili, homemade bread, southwest salad

    • Dessert: Campfire poundcake

  • • Breakfast: Sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches (vegan & vegetarian options available), fruit, instant oatmeal

Drinks

We will have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available, including: water, sparkling water, herbal tea and coffee. Feel free to bring your own beverages as well! Alcoholic beverages are allowed on Wander Women trips. Please drink responsibly and respectfully.

Let’s hit the trail!

We can’t wait to share this trip with you and experience nature’s beauty with such a great group. We hope you’re just as excited as we are for this trip — if you have any questions between now and arrival day, please reach out to us at hello@wanderwomenmidwest.com!

See you soon!