Join us on the river for our Fall Equinox Rafting Retreat!
September 18–20 | Deschutes River, Oregon

The Deschutes River below towering basalt

A nature-based resilience retreat for purpose-driven leaders and founders - exclusively for women and gender-expansive professionals.

There's nothing quite like being on the river, surrounded by sage and willow, dwarfed by towering basalt. Where the water keeps flowing, with passionate persistence, around obstacles, big and small.

It's what I've always loved about creeks and rivers. That reminder to keep going, even when we think we can't. To eddy out sometimes, yes, and make time for rest and reconsideration. But in the end, to remember that persistence is powerful.

Because that's what we need sometimes when the hurdles seem huge. When our commitment, as purpose-driven leaders, founders and professionals, runs deep.

And when all of that, combined with the grind of business life, is urging us to quit. To give into burnout or overwhelm or self-doubt.

Deep down, we know that different is possible.
But it can be hard to tap into sometimes.

Register for one of our FREE 30-min info and taster sessions:

And that's my vision.

A resilience retreat for purpose-driven leaders and founders to deepen your capacity for doing the work that truly matters.

A space for women and gender-expansive professionals to come together in community and let nature restore.

An opportunity to let nature, connection and intentional practice contribute to your personal and professional development - so that you can create meaningful change in the world.

The shape of the weekend

Friday evening, we all meet at Beavertail Campground along the Deschutes and settle in for the evening. We spend time connecting, eating a shared meal together, and getting ready to launch the next morning.

Saturday and Sunday, we're on the river with Stout Creek Outfitters, including full days of guided rafting and integrated resilience programming, ending the day camping right along the water Saturday night, gathered around whatever a fire-ban allows us to call a campfire.

Take out on Sunday afternoon at Heritage Landing on the Columbia River, and after our final wrap up, hop in cars or carpools and head home after a beautiful weekend together.


What's included

Rafting and rafting gear, guiding, shuttle fees, and permits with Stout Creek Outfitters. Friday night basecamp and Saturday–Sunday meals on the river. Opportunities to practice resilience building on the river, in community, with time together Sat evening to support one another even more deeply.

For Professional Development and Business Sponsorship tiers: a short call before you arrive, to name what you're bringing onto the river, along with a private integration session afterward, walking, in person around Portland natural areas, or by phone.

Key takeaways

• Deep connection with yourself and those around you - the authentic connection that has room to grow when there's no skyline, no conference room, no next-meeting-in-fifteen on top of a looming list of to-dos

• Time and space to reconnect with what matters deeply, with direct access to resources to support your biggest challenges: those already inside you as well as those that surround you that don’t often feel as accessible

• Support coming from three directions at once: nature, community, and a program built with intentional structure for development

• A resilience framework that you’ve practiced under real conditions so it’s easier to integrate once you’re back home
  

Investment

• Reduced Rate — $925(two seats available): If cost is a barrier to joining, this is your seat. No explanation needed.

• Professional Development Rate — $1,160, the tier I built this retreat around, including for solopreneurs and small business owners who may be able to deduct this as a business expense (check with your accountant). Many employers cover experiences like this under professional development or wellness budgets — worth a quick ask before you assume it's out of reach.

• Business Sponsorship Rate — $1,515, for business owners, founders, and professionals at larger organizations with real budget for this kind of work — whether that's your own business' budget or your employer's professional development fund. If you have the room, choosing this tier helps hold space open at the Reduced Rate for someone who needs it.
  

Space is limited & No experience necessary

This trip runs with 5+ people (likely capped at about 8). If we don't reach 5 by early September, everyone will be refunded in full, no questions, no hard feelings (other than disappointment at our missing opportunities!). If your own plans change: full refund more than 30 days out, 50% between 14–30 days, and inside two weeks your seat is transferable to someone else, even if it's no longer refundable. And we’re happy to welcome all skill and comfort levels on this trip - no experience necessary!

Ready?!

Let's grab our tents, paddles and PFDs and find our flow. And let the equinox help us tap into balance.

Applications open July 17— a short form to help us verify that this feels like the right fit for everyone.

Reach out directly with questions - would LOVE for you to join us! tamara@lightersideofclimate.com

Get to know your guides!

Tamara Staton is the founder of Lighter Side of Climate and an Integral Master Coach™ with nearly three decades in wilderness leadership, human development, and experiential education. She spent 13 years advocating with Citizens' Climate Lobby, including 8 years on staff as Regional Director of the Greater Pacific Northwest and as Education and Resilience Coordinator — work that taught her, over and over, how quickly good people burn out when commitment isn't paired with rest. She created the NACPR framework (Notice, Accept, Connect, Practice, Rest) to help purpose-driven leaders build real resilience without losing their edge. When she's not facilitating, you may (or may not) find her deep in a basalt canyon, playing banjo on the river’s edge.

Stout Creek Outfitters is a local rafting and guiding company specializing in custom and small group trips. They are outdoor industry professionals, educators, business owners and instructors who love to share their passion for the river with others and create memorable experiences. Each of their lead guides have over 20 years of guiding and paddling experience and they focus on blending scenic rivers, fresh local foods, quality gear, and professional, knowledgeable guides, with good company and a passion for what they do.

Key dates

• Applications open: July 17

• Info & Taster Sessions: Aug 6 and 11, 12:30pm and 530pm PT (register through buttons above)

• Review turnaround: Rolling — I'll respond within 3 business days of each submission

• Minimum enrollment decision: early September. If we're not at 5 confirmed by then, everyone's notified and refunded in full.

• Application deadline: September 1, or whenever all 8 seats fill, whichever comes first — gives Stout Creek enough lead time to finalize headcount and gear

• Payment: Full payment secures your seat upon acceptance — please reach out if you'd like to talk through options.