Wild &Well: Weekend in the Woods

October 3rd - 5th, 2025

Deep Portage Learning Center

In an effort to create an intentional space for connections and discovery, this weekend is for women and nonbinary folks.

Two people canoeing on a calm lake with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

Like camp, but for adults!

Always wanted to go to summer camp, but didn’t get to?

Now is your chance!

Well…full transparency…this trip doesn’t take place in the summer, but we think that autumn is pretty great time to be at at Deep Portage.

There are almost no bugs, a crispness to the air, changing leaves, AND it gets dark early enough to see the stars and still go to bed at a reasonable hour. What more could you ask for?

Be WILD. Be WELL.

Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Maybe you want to take some “ME” time with a good book. Maybe you just want to get out and hike. Make this weekend your own.

We’ll have activities and workshops planned, but unlike summer camp, you have full say in what you choose to participate in.

Group of six women on a bog boardwalk with autumn-colored trees in the background.
A woman in camouflage clothing and a brown jacket standing in a wooded area, smiling, holding a map and a small item, leaning against a tree with a brown marker that reads 'OR 59116'
A group of ten women posing outdoors in front of a stone and wooden building, some smiling, some making silly gestures, wearing casual outdoor clothing, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Sunset over a forest with a pond visible through the trees
Two books on fallen autumn leaves. One has a green cover with a quote about plants and title "Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask", and the other has an image of four different colored leaves with the title "Onigamiising".
Two smiling women standing on a metal observation deck with a scenic view of trees and a clear sky in the background.
Two people standing in a forest, looking at maps, with autumn leaves on the ground and trees.
A pizza placed inside a brick oven with a fire burning in the background.
Four women are indoor rock climbing on a textured wall with colorful handholds and footholds. Two are climbing up and two are belaying from the bottom.
A wooded trail with a sign that reads 'The Bog' and an arrow pointing left.
People canoeing on a peaceful lake surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.

Investment for the weekend

We encourage you to think of this weekend as an investment in yourself and your well-being. After all, many of us are caregivers, and we can’t care for others if we don’t care for ourselves.

We do our best to keep this weekend affordable by offering different options of rates and scholarships, but it’s true that lodging and food cost money. The regular weekend rate varies from $300 - $375 per person, depending on which type of room you choose. There are opportunities to receive scholarships or give to the scholarship fund, depending on your financial situation. There is also a small discount for alumni.

Please see the Wild & Well Overview and Policy Page for a breakdown of the weekend. Schedules, menus, rooms, and carpooling options will be send out later this summer.

 FAQs

  • Deep Portage Learning Center is located in Hackensack, MN. It’s a bit south of Bemidji and a bit north of Brainerd.

    A pin to the location can be found here: Deep Portage on Google Maps

  • Think summer camp – these aren’t fancy rooms, but they have ensuite bathrooms and heat/cooling units.

  • Activities change year to year based on the interest of participants and the availability of instructors.

    One goal of this weekend is to help people feel more confident in their outdoor adventures and provide opportunities to try new things, so generally we offer a variety of outdoor skills workshops and activities that you might not get to do every day.

    Another goal of the weekend is to help people feel well - to feel connected to themselves and their environment, and to feel physically and emotionally well.

    Some activities that we have offered in the past include:

    • Navigation with a Map and Compass Workshop

    • How to Pack a Backpack Workshop

    • Camp Cookery

    • Survival Shelter and Fire Building

    • Canoeing

    • Finding Your Voice

    • ReWilding

    • Group Campfire

    • Night Hike

    • Rock Climbing Wall

    • Morning Stretches and Mobility

    As you can see, there is a wide array! We won’t be able to do every single activity every year, but we try to offer as many as we have interest and time for.

  • Lodging, food, and fun are all included!

    Please see the Wild & Well Overview and Policy Page for details.

  • An updated schedule will be shared with weekend participants a few weeks prior to the trip.

    In the past we’ve begun the weekend around 4pm on Friday and concluded the weekend around noon on Sunday.

    Last year’s schedule can be found here: 2024 Wild & Well Schedule. This year’s will not be the same as we will have different and/or more activities available but it will likely be similar. All activities are optional!