Camping 101: The Basics - Des Moines
Yellow Banks Park, Pleasant Hill, IA
June 8-9
$125
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Watch out Minnesota, we're wandering north! Join us for this Scandinavian fever dream in dreamy winter Duluth! We'll immerse ourselves in a winter wonderland, complete with a beginner's dog sledding workshop with Positive Energy Outdoors, guided sauna & cold plunge experience and dinner at one of Duluth's delicious restaurants on Friday. Then on Saturday, we'll spend the day snowshoeing and exploring Jay Cooke State Park, with plenty of downtime for cozy cabin hangs, reading, journaling and more. Throughout the whole weekend, we'll stay at fully heated camper cabins at Mont du Lac Resort next to Jay Cooke State Park, a darling of the Minnesota park system.
Note: The camper cabins are equipped with heating and electricity, but do not have bathrooms. We'll be using a heated showerhouse with modern facilities for the weekend, and will have plenty of water on hand for drinking, cooking and washing.
Dog sledding details from Positive Energy Outdoors: We'll start with a tour of the kennel, where you’ll meet many of our 55 friendly Alaskan husky sled dogs, learn about mushing equipment, including how to ride in the sled as a passenger and how to drive the sled, help harness and hook up your dog team(s) and hit the trail. Our sleds carry one to two people per sled and you’ll always have an experienced guide with you on the sled. Your group will take turns riding and driving on a half-mile groomed loop, perfect for taking photos and getting lots of time to pet and interact with the dogs. Our double driver sleds allow everyone to drive, or passengers can also relax and enjoy the ride from the sled basket.
Sauna & cold plunge details: Through Cedar and Stone Sauna, we'll be led in a guided sauna and cold plunge experience, a relaxing treat after a physical session of dog sledding! The sauna experience is in a contemporary shelter in the heart of Duluth — we'll relax in the different sauna rooms while drinking complementary tea and bringing our bodies into balance.
- GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION -
What can I expect from a Wander Women trip?
Wander Women trips are designed to be restorative and relaxing, full of connection and knowledge building. Our winter trips inspire folks to get out during the coldest season and enjoy nature’s quiet beauty, and allow plenty of personal time to relax, read, talk around the kitchen table and drink so much tea. Nights are spent around the campfire sharing in storytelling, often digging deep into ourselves and our place in nature.
Please know that to us, there’s no right way to wander. We ask that you come as you are — you don’t need to have the gear, the knowledge or anyone else with you to make this trip great. We grant participants 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. 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!