Welcome to Summit Sisters!

August 6-9, 2026 | Jamestown, CO

EARLY BIRD PRICING EXTENDED TO JULY 5!

Summit Sisters 2026 is Women’s Wilderness’ biggest annual gathering and an invitation to grow alongside a vibrant circle of seasoned facilitators, artists, and adventurers. Over the course of four days, we will cultivate our survival skills, strength, and sisterhood, deepening both our inner journeys toward confidence and our outer journeys toward a lasting sense of belonging in the natural world.

This retreat is rooted in a simple, powerful truth: something transformative happens to a woman when she pursues new challenges in the outdoors, especially when she’s surrounded by a community of women doing the same.

This year’s theme, Find Your Wild: An immersive weekend of exploration, creativity, and play, asks you to experience the outdoors not merely as a backdrop, but as your muse and laboratory for learning. This immersive weekend offers a rich tapestry of wilderness skills, movement practices, and more. Beyond the physical, we will hold space for intentional community and provide opportunities to learn more about women’s health at every stage of life. You will leave with sharpened capabilities, deeper connections, and a renewed sense of what you are truly made of.

Our days will be woven together by shared meals, meaningful conversations, and a balanced rhythm of movement, art, play, and rest. Whether you are seeking a new skill or moments of stillness, you will find it here. Find your wild at Summit Sisters. She’s waiting for you.

NEW: Full Day Pre-Retreat Survival Workshop

Have you ever wondered how to signal for help if you got lost? Or perhaps you’ve wanted to learn how to start a fire without matches or a lighter? “Surviving in the Wild,” taught by world-class survival expert Jessie Krebs, will have you walking taller with a clear understanding of how to prioritize your needs and drastically improve your odds of surviving a situation-gone-bad.

From building shelters to navigation, clothing principles to knot craft, the skills you’ll learn in this engaging full-day workshop can make the difference between an awesome outdoor experience and an awful one. 

Details:

  • When: 8am-4pm, Thursday, August 6 (before the retreat officially begins for all that evening)
  • Where: Cal-Wood Education Center (you’ll already be where you need to be for Summit Sisters)
  • Price: $200 (added to your Summit Sisters registration) –  Only 20 spots available
  • Included: lunch and world-class instruction
Jessie Krebs, a blonde white woman, is wearing a brown cowboy hat, jeans button up shirt, and green pants as she kneels behind a campfire.

Jessie Krebs joined the US Air Force as a way to pay for college and to escape her small midwest town. During active duty she went from a shy and hesitant girl to one of the few female S.E.R.E. (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) Specialists, teaching military members how to stay alive and return home if shot down behind enemy lines. In that career she also gained a sense of competence and a deeper connection to the outdoors. She got through childhood trauma with the support of the natural world. After an honorable discharge, she directed team building courses and then found a home for over a decade working in wilderness therapy.

In 2021 she founded her Women’s Survival School (O.W.L.S. Skills) after participating in some pretty epic journeys like being a contestant on ALONE S-9, Mygrations, and being invited as an instructor on MasterClass.com. She teaches from the heart and adapts to each person, moving between nurturing and supportive to a pushy cheerleader as needed!

What's Included

Summit Sisters 2026 is a full-immersion experience. Here’s what you can expect:

Community & Connection

  • Creative expressions (Community-based art projects, dance, storytelling)
  • Book and sticker exchanges
  • Connect with women entrepreneurs
  • Shared meals, campfire conversations, and unstructured time to connect
  • Evening wind-down sessions — yoga, meditation, reflection

 

Skills & Adventure

  • Outdoor skills workshops: hiking, navigation, survival, archery, wilderness medicine, clothing mending
  • Morning movement: yoga, Tai Chi, and trail-based options
  • Guided outdoor experiences and exploration on Cal-Wood’s 1,200-acre property
  • Confidence-building activities designed for all experience levels

Health and Wellness

  • Women’s health and nutrition workshops
  • Guided meditation
  • Life management skills and resources

Logistics & Extras

  • Pre-retreat all-day wilderness survival workshop (extra fee)
  • Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast (delicious meals + snacks)
  • Lodging and camping Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
  • Packing list and carpool sign-up sent closer to the date
  • On-site first-aid and wilderness first responder support
  • Exclusive goodie bags from our sponsors (details coming soon!)

Coming Soon: weekend itinerary, instructor courses and bios.

Every registered participant will receive…

A pair of Lone Peak 9 shoes, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Altra! Lone Peaks are the gold standard of trail shoes, offering you the best grip, durability, and connection on the trail. Valued at $140! Colors are based on availability and size, and aren’t guaranteed to be the color shown here. Registration doesn’t close until 8/6, but you must register by 8/1 to get a pair of Altras!  

Polar Breakaway Bottle – crafted right here in Colorado! Valued at $12, this bottle maximizes flow and self-seals to eliminate spills and splatter. It’s spill-proof when open and pushes closed for leakproof transport.

This Cotopaxi limited-release Del Día dark hip pack is fun-sized for carrying keys, phone, wallet, and other small essentials around town or on the trail. Valued at $35, this bestselling hip pack features one-of-a-kind combos of leftover fabrics, so prepare to be surprised at the colors you get!

Pricing

Thanks to grants and sponsorships secured for this event, we are able to offer accessible pricing for Summit Sisters!  Women’s Wilderness believes that financial circumstances should never be the reason someone misses out on a transformative outdoor experience. We’re proud to offer sliding scale pricing so our community can support one another.

$425 Early Bird pricing has been extended through July 5!

Financial aid is also available, click here to learn more and apply.

SLIDING SCALE

$ 425/495/595
  • Registration closes Wednesday, August 1 @ 11:59pm MT.

Huge thank you to Alpine BankThe Colorado Health Foundation, REI, and the Clif Family Foundation for sponsoring this event and making financial aid for Summit Sisters possible.

About the Venue

Summit Sisters 2026 returns to Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, Colorado, located  just 35 minutes north of Boulder at 7,800 ft elevation.

Cal-Wood is a nature education-based nonprofit aligned to our mission of removing barriers to outdoor access. Their 1,200-acre property offers mountain views, spruce and pine forest, winding trails, wildlife, cozy accommodations, and food that will surprise you (in the best way). It is, simply, the perfect host to Summit Sisters.

Lodging Options

Both options are the same price – choose what works best for you!

Camping

Group camping adjacent to the main lodge. Bring your own tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. Shared restrooms and showers are located steps away from the camping area. Consider sharing a tent if you are coming with a friend!

Bunk House

Dorm-style with 4-inch  mattresses, shared restrooms and showers located steps away from the bunkhouse. Bring your own sleeping bag and pillow (bottom linen will be provided by Cal-Wood). Each guest gets their own bottom bunk. Up to 5 guests per room.

Meet Your Instructors

Instructors will be facilitating workshops and creating space for all women (cis, trans, nonbinary, LGBTQIA+) 18+ from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities. 

Caitlin

(She/Her)

Instructor

Dr. Caitlin provides patient-centered naturopathic care for women across the life cycle, with expertise in nutrition, botanical medicine, hormonal health, perimenopause, and menopause. A North American Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with a background in midwifery, she supports women from puberty through pregnancy, perimenopause, and beyond. Her care is practical, thoughtful, joyful, and rooted in sustainable health.  She is a nature lover, outdoorswoman and aspiring park ranger.

Angela

(She/Her)

Instructor

Angela Bowyer grew up in Texas, learning to sew with guidance from her parents and YouTube University. She later studied Fashion Design and Product Development at Wade College and gained hands-on alterations experience. Inspired by sustainable fashion, Angela embraces mending, upcycling, and handmade clothing as resistance to throwaway culture and loves teaching others to sew.

Valerie

(She/Her)

Instructor

Valerie Rowekamp is a Denver-based model, creative director, and founder of Soft Life Systems, AI-powered lifestyle tools that help women turn daily life into calm, repeatable systems. A longtime creator known as @CharmedValerie, she blends beauty, technology, and curated living, weaving personal storytelling with practical tools so participants can turn “mountain moments” into lasting everyday rituals.

Celina

(She/Her)

Instructor

Celina is a certified herbalist, educator, and founder of Earth’s Elements Apothecary. Rooted in a deep connection to the land Celina’s work empahsizes healing, empowerment, and reconnection with ourselves, our communities, and the Earth.

Jessie

(She/Her)

Instructor

Jess runs a Colorado-based survival school specializing in empowering women and other marginalized demographics in the wilderness through teaching what are traditionally considered “masculine” skills. She is a former Air Force S.E.R.E (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) Specialist.

Jennifer

(She/Her)

Instructor

Jennifer is the creator of Paint Your Peace that helps people discover the healing power of artistic expression and peace through the process of abstract acrylic painting. She hosts community painting events, workshops, and retreats.

Erin

(She/Her)

Instructor

Erin facilitates positive outdoor experiences for students across the Front Range. With a background in ecology, education, art, and Forest Therapy and Nature Mindfulness certifications, Erin delights in facilitating meaningful connections with the natural world.

Bianca

(She/Her)

Instructor

Bianca was born and raised in beautiful Colorado and is passionate about making yoga accessible to all communities. She’s been teaching yoga for 8 years and looks forward to creating and holding space with you!

Linh

(She/Her)

Instructor

Linh is a proud refugee from Vietnam, a retired registered nurse of 38 years, sassy mother of 3, sister of 4, and friend of all. Trained by a Buddhist monk, she offers free tai chi training to the elderly communities of San Diego, bringing mindfulness, positivity and joy to all.

Kriste

(She/Her)

Instructor

Kriste Peoples offers experiential workshops exploring the healing power of nature engagement. As an avid trail runner, meditation enthusiast, and newly credentialed yoga instructor, she enjoys taking on new projects but draws the line at YouTube-inspired home renovation. Kriste also proudly serves as Executive Director of Women’s Wilderness.

Lisa

(She/Her)

Instructor

Lisa is a retired firefighter paramedic who finds physical and mental respite in nature, and loves to share these benefits with nature newcomers! She serves as the Gear and Transportation Coordinator for Women’s Wilderness and is also an Outdoor Educator who frequently nerds out on flora, fauna, and astronomy.

Becky

(She/Her)

Instructor

Becky Heath grew up in upstate New York and has spent the last decade in Maine, Texas, and Colorado teaching outdoor education and leading experiential summer camp programs. Now a dedicated birder, she’s excited to share her knowledge at Summit Sisters. Outside work, Becky enjoys hiking with her dog, trail running, knitting, camping—and birding across the Rockies.

Sarah

(She/Her)

Instructor

Sarah Iverson, known as The Play Alchemist, is a multidisciplinary artist, play expert, and founder of Curious Sunshine. With a master’s in Environmental Leadership, she creates transformative experiences blending play, storytelling, and creativity to spark connection, curiosity, and growth. Sarah believes play cultivates presence, unlocks imagination, and helps people rediscover wonder, joy, and possibility.

Hillary

(She/Her)

Instructor

Hillary Harding has trained with United Capoeira Association Colorado for nearly 15 years and loves sharing capoeira’s playful, powerful practice. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions, capoeira invites creativity, body trust, and mutual support. Her welcoming classes encourage all bodies and abilities to move with curiosity, embrace the unexpected, and maybe see the world upside down—no experience required.

Alexa

(She/Her/Ella)

Instructor

Alexa Gonzalez-Muñoz (she/her/ella) grew up in Colorado, and her passion for the outdoors, conservation, and wildlife deepened at CU Boulder. As a woman of color exploring Boulder’s natural spaces, she gained perspective on belonging and access. Alexa now supports others in discovering the outdoors. She enjoys climbing, reading, birdwatching, and time with loved ones.

2025 Schedule

Summit Sisters will begin at 3pm on Thursday, August 21 and end at 12pm on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

More Updates Coming Soon

Thursday
3 -5 PMArrival & Check-in
• Park in lot, load personal gear into shuttle van
• Check-in
• Set up cabin area or campsite
5:15-6:00 PM• Welcome & Opening Circle & Calwood Orientation - Gathering Circle
• Late Check-in
6:00 - 7:00 PMDinner - Main Lodge
7:00 - 8:15 PMLarge Group Welcome
8:30-10:00 PMDowntime
10:00 PMLights Out
Friday
6:45 - 7:45 AMSunrise Sessions
• Moving Meditation
• Sunrise Yoga
8:00 - 9:00 AMBreakfast
9:00 - 11:00 AMDaybreak Sessions
(concurrent workshops)
• Connection with Wildlife - Respectful encounters to unify our coexistence
• Mindfulness Outside
• The Five Essentials
• Intro to Herbalism
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRestorative Time
• Downtime
• Community Art Project opens - The Creative Connections Within Ourselves and Our Communities
• Book Swap opens
12:00 - 1:00 PMLunch
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Group Gathering
Indigenous Voices and the World We Live In
4:00 - 6:00 PMRestorative Time
6:00 - 7:00 PMDinner
7:15 - 8:15 PMSundown Sessions
• Gentle Yoga Flow
• Campfire Conversations
8:30 - 9:30 PMOh My Stars!
Saturday
6:45 - 7:45 AM
Sunrise Sessions
• Morning Movement
• Integral Tai Chi
8:00 - 9:00 AMBreakfast
9:00 - 11:00 AMDaybreak Sessions
(concurrent workshops)
• Connection with Wildlife - Respectful encounters to unify our coexistence
• Mindfulness Outside
• Survival Workshop
• Working with Plants
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMRestorative Time
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMLunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PMGroup Gathering
Make Lemonade from the Ashes: On Restorative Grieving and Healing In Challenging Times
4:00 - 6:00 PMRestorative Time
6:00 - 7:00 PMDinner
7:15 - 8:15 PMSundown Sessions
• Evening Meditation
• Gentle Flow Yoga
• Campfire Conversations
8:30 - 9:30 PMOh My Stars!
Sunday
6:45 - 7:45 AMSunrise Sessions
• Integral Tai Chi
8:00 - 9:00 AMBreakfast
Surveys & Grad Student Research Study
9:00 - 9:30 AMPack and Stack Gear
• Guests bring gear to Gathering Place
9:30 - 11:00 AMDaybreak Workshops
• Intentional Hike & Reflect
• Poetry Session
• Empathy Session
• (TBD) Service project with Cal-Wood
• Last chance for art project
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMClosing Circle & Dance Party
12:00 - 1:00 PMDeparture
• Meet up with personal gear shuttled to parking lot

Workshop Descriptions

This list will be updated as more courses are confirmed.

Sunrise Yoga to Welcome the Day

with Bianca

Begin your morning with an uplifting & energizing yoga flow that will help open our hearts & mind for the day ahead. Expect a gentle yoga flow with plenty of options to modify poses so you can move through yoga postures that work for you and your body. This class is open to all experiences and every(BODY)! I look forward to flowing with you.

Close to The Earth Yoga & Meditation

with Bianca

Join Bianca for a gentle, grounding yoga flow & guided meditation to connect our mind, body & spirit. Together, we will practice self-care, gratitude, and mindful breathwork. Modifications will be offered as part of the practice, and all experiences are encouraged.

Mindfulness Outside: In Relationship with the Land

with Erin

I invite you to savor our time in nature together as we explore some of Cal-Wood’s beautiful trails and landscapes. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), we’ll take our time exploring and connecting with nature through sensory experiences, creative and playful activities, guided meditation, and quiet reflection. This time in nature has all kinds of health benefits too, from lowering stress to boosting our health and happiness. As we practice slowing down and tuning in to our surroundings, my hope is that we may each rediscover ways that we are in relationship with the natural world, our home. Please bring water and a journal and pen (if writing or sketching are helpful reflection tools for you). Wear comfortable hiking shoes and expect to go off trail during our time together.

Singing Hope

with Erin

Singing brings us together, invites us to create and laugh, lets us feel truth, and inspires us to action. This is our opportunity to sing outside in nature together, in a relaxed and casual space. I’ll bring some of my favorite songs about change and hope to share, and you are welcome to bring a song to teach the rest of the group too. This is about sharing, listening, and giving ourselves space to feel and be free. I’m excited to sing with you! Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes, since we’ll be visiting a couple of different outdoor locations.

Team building 101!

with Jessie

Back by popular demand! What better way to grow together and learn about each other than through play? Team-building activities can teach us so much about ourselves and the building blocks of our communities: our fellow members! In this workshop we’ll spend a little time discussing the basics of how to process an activity, and a lot of time playing a variety of varying levels of “games” and discussing modifications that can be made to target different areas of team dynamics, increasing awareness and growth on the micro and macro levels. Please wear closed-toed shoes!

Basic Map and Compass skills (with orienteering course!)

with Jessie

With our theme this year being Exploration, Creativity, and Play, my mind immediately went to navigation! So come learn some basic map and compass skills and then put them to the test on an orienteering course! Whether you’re brand new to map and compass work, want a refresher, or just want to test your already amazing skills, this will be a pretty active and FUN experience. Please come with questions, and though it can be fun to “race” a course, there really is no rush, so you can go at your own pace and get plenty of guidance. Please wear closed-toed shoes, compasses provided!

Keep Your Wild: Navigating Health and Wellness in the Outdoors through Perimenopause and Beyond

with Caitlin

In this workshop we will review the physiology of perimenopause and menopause – using gentle curiosity to explore how bodies change with time – while reviewing strategies for both treatment of common symptoms and preventing disease, including menopausal hormone therapy. We will specifically focus on ways to continue with movement, time in nature and outdoor adventure throughout this transition and beyond. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. The goal is to explore this topic through the lens of body neutrality, reverence and respect for the multitude of ways folks experience this phase of life while finding camaraderie and levity in the connection found through shared experience.

Tai Chi

with Linh

Please join the one hour Integral Taichi class. It’s a health improvement program combining Yoga, Taichi, Qi Gong and Meditation in one system that integrates body and mind. This program allows you to generate and use of energy effectively and improve feelings of wellbeing. Please join class in comfortable clothes and yoga mat.

Beginner’s Guide to Mending & Clothing Repair: Give Your Clothing a Second Life

with Angela

In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will master essential hand-sewing skills to keep your garments in rotation and out of the landfill. No prior experience is needed. Learn the basics of threading needles, replacing buttons, and executing durable stitches. Once you cover the fundamentals, we will collaborate to repair the items you bring in. Whether it is a torn flannel, a ripped backpack, or a worn hat, you will gain the practical skills needed to fix your own apparel and accessories. Join us to build self-reliance, reduce waste, and connect with others over shared stories and craft.

Birding Outing

with Becky

Come explore the avian wildlife that resides at Cal-Wood! We’ll stroll at a leisurely pace covering about 1-2 miles at most and see what birds we can find by sight and sound. We’ll talk about different ecosystems, conservation topics and some tips and tricks to identify birds wherever you are. If you have binoculars do bring them along, but we will also have some to borrow. No prior bird knowledge required!

The Spectacular

with Sarah

An interactive group ceremony exploring play as a collective force for frequency shifting. Through guided experiences and shared imagination, participants co-create a temporary world shaped by curiosity, presence, and participation. With the combination of guided meditation, playfulness and immersive performance, we enter a liminal space where play becomes ritual and imagination becomes a technology for transformation.

Roots and Remedies- Reclaiming Nourishment Through Herbalism

with Celina

For this workshop, participants will be guided through creating their own supportive herbal tea blends using a variety of herbs. As we blend, we’ll create space for conversation around the many ways nature nourishes and supports our well-being, as well as how cultural traditions, remedies, and lived experiences have shaped our relationships with wellness and care.

A Journey Through the Four Elements- An Immersive Herbal Ceremony & Sensory Experience

with Celina

Join us for a guided herbal ritual that invites you to connect with the wisdom of the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, through plant medicine, reflection, and our senses. As we journey through each element, participants will engage with herbal remedies crafted to embody their unique qualities, exploring how the elements can support balance, grounding, clarity, transformation, and nourishment in everyday life. 

Through the use of herbal cleansing sprays, loose herbal incense, tea, oils, and salves, participants will be guided through a series of intentional rituals designed to engage the senses and deepen their connection to nature and self. Along the way, we’ll reflect on the role of the elements within our bodies, our relationships, and the natural world, while exploring how plants have traditionally been used to support our mind, body, and spirit across cultures and traditions.

This workshop is part herbal education, part ceremony, and part self-reflection, offering an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world through the lens of the elements. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of plant medicine, and simple rituals they can carry into their daily lives. To get the most out of this workshop please bring a yoga mat, blanket, journal, and your favorite mug. 

Soft Life Systems in the Wild

with Valerie

This circle is for anyone who’s tired of going home from retreat inspired…and then sliding back into overwhelm. In Soft Life Systems in the Wild, we’ll explore where your energy is leaking and how “soft‑life systems” can quietly hold the life you actually want. Through grounding, storytelling, and a simple reflection process, you’ll map the key areas of your life—body, money, home, relationships, work, self—and notice where things feel chaotic versus calm. You’ll leave with language for what you’re truly seeking from this season and a clear sense of how gentle, practical systems can support it long after the weekend ends.

Mountain Moments, Everyday Rituals

with Valerie

This session is about turning your favorite Summit Sisters moments into small rituals you can actually live. We’ll start by naming one “mountain moment” that felt like the truest version of you—then translate that feeling into tiny morning, evening, and everyday systems for your real life at home. Using simple pen‑and‑paper templates, you’ll design 2–4 soft‑life rituals around things like rest, food, money, home, or self‑care, with realistic triggers and safeguards built in. You’ll leave with a pocket‑sized plan for the first week back home, so retreat doesn’t stay in the mountains—it moves into your calendar.

Sacred Pause

with Kriste

Begin or end your day with a grounding, silent outdoor meditation. Held in the gentle light of either sunrise or sunset, this session invites you to settle into stillness and reconnect with your breath, body, and the natural world. Surrounded by rustling leaves, birdsong, or evening crickets, you’ll sit or lie comfortably in silence, guided gently into presence by the rhythms of the land. Free from words and distractions, this quiet space allows for reflection, release, and restoration. Whether morning or evening, this practice offers a sacred pause—an invitation to listen inward and simply be beneath the open sky.

Quiet Feet

with Kriste

Quiet Feet invites participants on a moderate-to-strenuous silent hike to the highest peak on the Cal-Wood grounds. We’ll move at a mindful pace, letting silence invite into noticing the natural world around us and the wilderness within. Along the way, we’ll practice presence, self-connection, and quiet communion with one another and the land. This offering is a spacious pause from everyday busyness and a welcome space for listening deeply.

Strength in Motion: Discovering Capoeira Through Movement

with Hillary

Explore the playful movement, balance, and creativity of Capoeira while building confidence, connection, and embodied strength. This is primarily a movement session, no experience necessary but expect to sweat.

Strength in Song: Discovering Capoeira Through Music

with Hillary

Experience the rhythms, stories, and songs of Capoeira and learn how music creates community, energy, and belonging within this Afro-Brazilian tradition. This class will mix movement and singing with a focus on the Capoeria songs and stories that celebrate women.

Stargazing and Storytime

with Lisa

If weather allows, investigate the night skies with Lisa and learn about astronomical happenings and the summer constellations. We will observe the constellations, learning ways to identify them and how to navigate to neighboring stars. We will also have adult storytime and learn the mythology behind these pictures in the sky because bedtime stories aren’t just for kids! Bring warm clothes, a chair or blanket to lay on, and a headlamp with red light capability (to save your night vision). You may also borrow one of our stargazing chairs that recline (limited availability). But most importantly, bring your curiosity for the heavens!

 

Colorado Flora Fest

with Lisa

Let’s see what’s growing around here! Head out on a guided leisurely nature walk to discover Colorado’s wildflowers, bushes, and trees. We will discuss what the surrounding plants and trees have to offer both us and wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our cancellation/refund policy is based on our investment in staff time, planning, and food and equipment purchases made before the retreat. Cancellation refunds will be given according to the following schedule. ‘Days’ is based on the number of days prior to the course start date:

  • More than 60 days prior: Full refund
  • 31-59 days prior: 50% refund
  • Less than 30 days prior: No refunds

 

Registrations are non-transferable.

Minimum age: 18. Last year, our ages spanned from 22 to 79 years old, with an average age of 43. We welcome cis women, as well as  transgender and non-binary individuals who seek spaces designed for women. All races, ethnicities, ages, sizes, and experiences levels are welcome at this event. If you have accessibility needs, please email us before registering so we can confirm details to best support you.

All experiences and abilities are welcome!. Summit Sisters is designed for women at every level of outdoor experience. Whether you’ve never slept in a tent or you’ve summited fourteeners, you belong here. Our workshops and activities are designed to meet you where you are and take you further. All activities are optional.

No! This is a GREAT opportunity to acquire skills if you are new to the outdoors OR a seasoned outdoors-person. There will be Women’s Wilderness staff available for questions throughout the weekend, and it’s a “choose your own adventure” atmosphere. All workshops are experiential, and you can expect to have some good discussions, time to learn a variety of skills, and a wealth of activities to participate in. We do underscore that this is an event for people who are interested in learning, engaging in community, and being outdoors.

We submit all dietary requirements to the kitchen staff at Cal-Wood prior to the retreat. Their team takes dietary restrictions seriously, including most allergies. As the date gets closer we will advise people to bring additional food for certain allergies and restrictions.

One month prior to the retreat, we will mail you a comprehensive participant guide to assist your planning, including a packing list. This packet will detail driving and parking directions.

Unfortunately, Women’s Wilderness is able to provide transportation to this event. However, we will provide a carpool sign-up sheet for participants to find people to drive with, as the date gets closer.

Yes, please avoid consuming alcohol and recreational drugs during the retreat as this is a drug and alcohol free event.

To ensure a meaningful and cohesive experience for all participants, we ask that attendees commit to the full retreat. Each session is intentionally designed to build connection, reflection, and growth, and arriving late or leaving early can disrupt the shared experience. Full participation allows everyone to fully immerse in the journey, cultivate deep relationships, and contribute to the collective energy that makes the retreat transformative. Please email us with your circumstances if you’d like to discuss your altered participation. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to this shared space!

This year’s Summit Sisters retreat takes place at the beautiful Cal-Wood Outdoor Education Center in Jamestown, Colorado. The roads leading up the retreat are passable by all vehicles, high clearance or 4WD are NOT needed to access the area. The property is a secluded and awe inspiring natural space with rock outcroppings, forested areas, mountain views, wildlife, nature trails, and several beautiful outdoor and indoor gathering areas.

The address is 2282 County Road 87, Jamestown, CO 80455. All guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from the retreat. Women’s Wilderness will not be arranging rideshares. However, when registration closes, we will provide a spreadsheet for all those interested in carpooling to coordinate among themselves. Please plan your travel accordingly.

Cal-Wood sits at 7800’. Most people who experience altitude sickness begin feeling it around 8000’, but that doesn’t mean some people aren’t sensitive at lower elevations (especially if you are visiting from a lower elevation than the Denver-metro area). We encourage everyone to hydrate properly before and during the retreat, and ease into physical activity, if needed. You may consult with your physician if you’d like to discuss methods, including medications, to aid with altitude sickness.

Temperatures in August in Jamestown typically range from highs in the 80s to lows in the 40s. So – come prepared with t-shirts and sunscreen, as well as warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag for night time if you are camping.

Cell service will be pretty spotty to non-existent. We encourage folks to take a cell phone break for this weekend! That is part of the magic of getting outside for an extended period in the outdoors! There is a landline phone accessible for urgent and emergency phone calls.

A shared bathroom and shower space is accessible to all participants and conveniently located.

We do not require or organize sign ups for the specific workshops or outings. The weekend is yours to make it what YOU need it to be in each moment, and to choose how to participate as the weekend evolves.

What Past Participants Have Said

“The workshops engaged me in activities and ways of thinking that i hadn’t experienced before.”

“I very much appreciated being in a multicultural women’s community in nature. I appreciated the sharing circles, ceremonies, and chanting. I was practicing letting my hypervigilant guard down and reconnecting with nature”

“This weekend really got my wheels turning about how I prioritize time in nature and my ability to seek out time and space there whether on my own or with others. It was so pleasurable being outside in a different setting than I’m used to.”

“So wonderful to spend a few days with friendly, kind and different individuals in a beautiful setting. I left feeling refreshed, grateful, and excited to come back.”

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