Rafting for Resilience
To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t confident this rafting retreat was going to happen. After just over a year in this business, I wasn’t sure my rolodex was big enough for at least five purpose-driven women or gender-expansive professionals to commit to two-plud days on the river with potential strangers.
That makes the depth and breadth of the experience so much more significant, because this trip was a dream come true. It was everything I hoped for and then some. And then some more on top of that.
There was so much to love.
“The intergenerational group brought a depth and level of connection that I wasn’t anticipating but has felt so healing.”
As much as I love the rocks and river, I gotta start with the people, because they light me up even more. In our first circle at basecamp on Friday evening, the magic and beauty of this group started to shine through. Women in retirement, busier than ever, deeply committed to giving their time and resources. Women in business, past and present, leaning on community to help them stay engaged for the long haul. Some who came to just BE, ready to lean on nature and slow down for a few days. Others who came ready for resilience, to navigate a specific challenge, personal or professional, and tap into balance and find their flow. At the heart of it all was commitment: to life, land, and prosperity for all that matters deeply.
One of the beautiful things about life on the river is the chance to be intentional about building community. So, in addition to five-plus hours in the raft each day, we took time on land to connect and get to know each other better.
“Drawing Together” along the river…
On Saturday afternoon, after a few tried-and-true activities, I invited them to explore something new in partners: a nature-based iteration of a Liberating Structure (LS) called “Drawing Together.” As the LS website describes it, “participants use five simple symbols with universal meanings to share their challenges through drawings.”
Because we were on the river, with a strong desire to let nature lead, I invited them to find five natural objects to share the story of their challenge. It was powerful to watch them find their things and share their inner experiences outside, under the sun.
Back in the raft, we talked about what came up. One woman told us that the activity helped her tap into various aspects of her challenge that she wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. That is exactly the benefit LS describes: “This playful visual storytelling captures hidden knowledge — such as feelings, attitudes, and patterns — that are difficult to express with words. When logical and linear processes reach their limit, drawing can reveal new possibilities.”
“The bringing together of these souls in the cradle and playground of nature created the state for connections and lessons.”
After a long day on the water, we were SO excited to score the spacious campsite we’d been hoping for. Our guides from Stout Creek Outfitters prepared appetizers while we set up our tents in the big field, and people slowly made their way to our circle of red chairs. It was in this circle that one of my trip highlights happened. It wasn’t planned; many of the best moments aren’t. The idea came to me in community, as I listened to the powerful conversation around the circle. In my family, we call it “Hot Seat Gratitude.” Each person takes a turn in the “hot seat” while everyone else, one by one, shares something they appreciate about them.
There are many details of our retreat I wish I could have captured more fully, and the sound bites of this experience are some of those. People seeing each other, underneath it all, hearing their intentions, seeing their gifts, honoring their worth, and naming it all in a frame of gratitude. For me, it’s bliss. For others, a blend of discomfort. But to be seen, heard, and validated for who and how we want to show up in the world is a gift, and I’m deeply grateful that people were open to receiving it.
“Slowing down to focus and just be in a learning environment is powerful. ”
Living in the company of nine people (including participants and guides) for two-plus days isn’t always easy, even for the hardcore extroverts in the group. It can be nice to have time away, to connect with nature in your own space, apart from the energy of others. With that in mind, we spent Sunday afternoon connecting silently with nature and doing some reflective writing. In her book Nature’s Guide for Coaches, Joy Khoo describes “Sit Spot with Tree” as an invitation to “choose a tree that calls to you, be friends with the tree, and listen to what it has to say to you.” The writing that came out of that practice continues to inspire me today.
“This trip has been everything I hoped for and more.”
And naturally, there was the river. The beautiful Deschutes, with the gentle adventure that tends to surround class II and III rapids.
There were many moments over 32 miles and ten-plus river hours that were wet and wonderful, full of smiles, laughter, and connected conversation. But one rapid (pictured below), and the energy surrounding it, continues to stick in my memory.
Dropping in from the top, paddles at the ready, feet tucked, one woman “riding the bull.” Then we hit, and water goes everywhere. The bull rider falls back, people steady themselves, laughter ensues. So epic.
Surrounding the river were basalt-lined canyons, my favorite part of the high desert landscape. They towered above us, soaking in the sunshine, reminding us that we are small and young by comparison, yet mighty in our likeness, in our ability to protect life and land and be ethical ancestors. There were many moments like this, too: marveling at the canyons, in silence, together in community.
And this retreat wouldn’t have been anywhere near this wonderful without the support of Stout Creek Outfitters. They brought the gear, cooked our food, cleaned up camp, packed the boats and most importantly, provided a sense of adventure, confidence and support - exactly what I was seeking in an outfitter. While I have many years of whitewater experience, I knew that I wanted to hire an outfitter so that I could focus on the people. As our primary rafting guide, Julia brought not only an impressive rafting résumé (including captain of the US Women’s Rafting Team!), but the spirit, personality, and curiosity that made collaboration deeply enjoyable. I’m supremely grateful for her leadership and for helping make my vision a reality.
Want to feel a bit more of the experience before I reflect on changes and ideas ahead? With a little help from 10,000 Maniacs, I created this short compilation video to capture a little of what words can’t: the laughter, the stillness, and the joy of being together on the water.
“Most of all, it felt like a mentorship on how to BE my authentic self without fear, and with zest and joy...”
As with most pilot projects, this retreat left me with a lot to consider. What might I change? What do I keep in the mix? As I type this blog, Marcus Mumford serenades me to just “slow down” in his song Clover. I realize I can work a bit less hard to create the ‘optimal experience’ and I can step back even more and let nature lead. When I slow down and make space, it allows others to do the same. It’s a constant practice for many of us, and nature offers multiple opportunities to keep trying.
Looking ahead, community will stay at the heart of these retreats, and future trips will welcome all genders. When we carve out space to be seen, heard, and supported, we deepen our capacity to create the change the world needs.
I started this post unsure whether this trip would even happen. Now the next Fall Equinox Rafting Retreat is on my calendar for September 2027, and I’m leaning toward a similar yet different-flavored retreat in May 2027, too. If you’d like first word when dates are set, reach out to me here or join my mailing list below. Hope to see you on the river!
