Wild River Nature Immersion Canoe Trip, with Nicholas WazeeGale, Kindred WazeeGale, Justys Grenier

This will be a three day canoe camping adventure on a wild river in southern Wisconsin, likely the Wisconsin River but dependent upon conditions. Using canoeing as our travel mode we will experience immersion in the wildness, biodiversity, and timelessness that these special places offer. We will learn wilderness skills in the gathering, cooking, camping and paddling that we do but an equal amount of our learning will be focused on nature observation, tracking, and awareness of everything from the wildlife we are surrounded by and trees over our heads to the incoming weather and the watercourse. We will also take periods of reflective time for full absorption of this experience and personal connection to these places. This is designed to be a well-supported and dynamic experience in wild camping, deep nature connection, wilderness skills, and cooperative functioning in the wild.

This trip is open to any experience level. However it is important that participants be sure they are comfortable sleeping in the outdoors and be capable of swimming, long days, and exerting oneself in the situation of windy day paddling or the like. There is current, but not rapids, on the lower Wisconsin.

This trip is not designed to push you to your limits, but rather is made to offer a solid experience in canoe camping with meaningful depth and skilled instruction offered in the areas of tracking and observation, outdoor skills like cooking on the fire, navigation and foraging, finding connection and comfort in Nature, and in an active, retreat-like atmosphere of cooperation, camaraderie, and support. Please be aware this trip will happen away from all amenities and conventional comforts, but filled with the wonder and deeper comforts of the Wilds. We will be discouraging the use of cell phones and the like but understand that some folks are likely to have specific communication needs while on this trip. Staff will have emergency communication options covered in the case of a need.

Dates: Wed-Fri, Aug. 9 - 11
Ages: Adults only
Location: Likely the Wisconsin River or Black River (exact location to be provided closer to the date)

Canoe rental costs are included in the ticket price. A discount is offered at $50 per person for providing their own canoe, if appropriate for this trip. If providing your own canoe, please use the discount code CANOE50 to receive the discount. If your group comprises multiple people who will not need canoe rentals, please register them separately using the discount code (it can only be applied once per booking).

Please see "Instructions" below for other gear requirements.

Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines

Supporter Level Ticket: $900
If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.

Sustainer Level Ticket: $800
If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain the work of the Folk School at a modest level.

Supported Level Ticket: $700
If you struggle to fund your basic needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!