Women's Getaway Weekend

Join other women for a camping weekend where you can unplug, make new friends, and learn new skills!

This is a strenuous activity - more than 5 miles of walking, personal supplies required. 

Pam Kersey, EdD, RN, is a Certified California Naturalist and a Desert Institute volunteer, in addition to being an instructor, PSAR educator, and volunteering for other organizations in the area. Robin Balch is a Desert Institute volunteer and instructor. She also serves on JOSAR and PSAR for Joshua Tree National Park. She has hiked several portions of the Pacific Crest Trail and has been a Forest Service Fire Lookout.

Get away with the Desert Institute in Joshua Tree National Park for the weekend! Join other women for a camping weekend where you can unplug, get away, learn new skills, and enjoy the company of other course participants. Trade in your computer, cell phone, Instagram, clocks, schedules, and workplace jargon for an off-the-grid weekend with the girls. Enjoy two days of pure, unadulterated fun and education! Join Pam and Robin in learning about camping, camp cooking, wildflowers, and hiking adventures. This weekend's class will be held at Lost Horse Campground in JTNP, a beautiful location perfect for this program!

Participants must bring all required items for the course: water, between 3 and 4 liters per person per day; close-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots—no sandals, not even hiking sandals; sun protection: a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light-colored long-sleeved shirts are recommended and very effective on hot days; warm layers for cooler mornings and evenings (it can be surprisingly cold!); a backpack to carry food, water, and any personal items needed for the day; camping equipment including a tent, sleeping bag, pillow, foam pad, blow-up mattress or cot, folding chair, an extra layer of warm clothing, and an extra blanket or sleeping bag in case it gets too cold at night; food and cooking supplies: participants will bring and cook their breakfast and dinner; please bring lunches that can be carried during day outings, snacks for day hikes that can be easily packed and eaten in the field; a cooler (bring ice if you bring perishables), lantern & flashlight (your headlamp will do just fine); trash bags (please pack out what you bring); toiletries, and a towel (there is a vault toilet and no running water at camp). Optional: hiking poles.