What will we explore?

Ponca, Arkansas: We will spend two days exploring the Ozark Mountains in Ponca, Arkansas. There's an old folk saying about the Ozarks: "It's not that the mountains are so high, it's just that the valleys are so deep."

It's true. The Ozarks are a heavily eroded plateau, pushed up eons ago and carved out by hundreds of streams over thousands of years. Nature worked wonders, and this is your opportunity to have nature work wonders on your Wild Soul.

Arriving by your own vehicle to our campsite at Buffalo Outdoor Center RV Park, we will begin our first evening with an opportunity to view Elk in the valley. On the afternoon of our first day we will hike an award winning trail The Goat Trail to view the cliffs and an amazing view. That evening we will enjoy a camp style dinner, stargaze and enjoy a transformational group activity. On our second day we will rise shortly after sunrise to enjoy breakfast and coffee. For those who would like to, we will have a guided morning meditation. This day we will hike the most famous trails at Ponca, Whitaker Point Trail. As we hike this beautiful trail, graced with the bright oranges and reds of turning maple leaves in the fall, we will be ascending to Whitaker Point, an awe inspiring, gravity defying, rock which rebelliously juts out of the side of the mountain. While we explore this inspirational place, you will be invited to participate in an activity designed to inspire a deep inner exploration. After our time at Whitaker Point we will make our way back to the Buffalo River to relax and play in the river.

Included in the Price:

• 2 nights lodging/camping. Rates are based on multiple occupancy, must provide your own sleeping bag and pillow.

• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners

• Transportation from the Buffalo Outdoor Center to trailheads.

• Guided Tours, Ceremonies, and Transformational Group Activities

• Meditation class

* Airfare and transportation to and from the retreat is not included in the cost.

Wild Soul Retreats

What are the accommodations?

Buffalo Outdoor Center RV Park: Two nights in either an RV or a tent. You are also welcome to bring your own tent.

What will the food by like?

One of the highlights of our trip will be the food! For dinner we will have grilled barbecue chicken and in season vegetables and chili and cornbread (perfect for fall) Special food requirements on request.

A healthy breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, yogurt, granola and egg casserole will be served each morning. We will provide a bag lunch of your choice between chicken salad in pita pockets, peanut butter and jelly, or turkey and cheese on white bread, and snacks for carrying in our day packs when we are out exploring.

We will take care of all breakfasts and snacks, 1 lunch and 2 dinners (including a yummy dessert)

What is a typical day?

Each day is totally different on this trip. We will give you a “Day by Day” itinerary upon request. We will be getting up early on most mornings to have breakfast, get out and hike and see the beautiful sites. We will restore and rest in the afternoon.

Tell me about the yoga and meditation?

We will not have an official yoga class, but we will try to practice yoga or stretch out every day and many times while we are out hiking and exploring.

We begin each adventure-filled Wild Soul Retreat day with a unique “Nature Morning Meditation". This is a perfect way to prepare the mind, body and senses for the activities of the day. When we get up for the morning hikes we will stretch out in the afternoon.

During the activities of the day we will cultivate a yogic focus—bringing with us awareness developed in the daily yoga or meditation. We’ll take mini “yoga breaks” during the day, finding opportunities to feel suppleness and receptivity of the body as we draw the beauty of the environment into our cells.

Wild Soul Retreats Tell me about the hiking?

We will be hiking both days so GET READY!!

While in Ponca we hike two days which are really amazingly beautiful hikes and are long days. The first hike takes about 5 hours roundtrip. The distances will not necessarily be great, but the hiking will often be steep up and down and on uneven terrain, sometimes with exposure to cliffs (safe but impressive).

Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?

You do not need to participate in everything; you can pace yourself so that it is the perfect amount of activity for you. We fully support you in doing as much or as little as is right for you in the moment. The schedule gives you a sense of the flow of each day. It is subject to change, depending upon the needs of the group, weather, etc. We will go over the schedule each day at breakfast.

What weather can I expect?

October in Ponca is beginning to get cooler, when the days are normally pleasant with moderate temperatures in the low 70s or upper 60s. Evenings can be quite cool, so we suggest bringing warmer clothes for the evening. We are asking the sun gods to bless us with sunshine for our trip, but bring your rain gear just in case of some rain showers.

What is the average age on this retreat?

We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-70 years young. Each retreat will vary. Please contact us if you have questions about the ages on a specific retreat.

What if I am coming alone?

The majority of the women who attend our retreats come by themselves. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!

Wild Soul Retreats

Cancellation policy:

• If you must cancel, the deposit is NOT REFUNDABLE*

• Full refund, less deposit, will be given with at least 31 days notice *

• Within 30 days of your camp, sorry but absolutely no refund will be given

*no exceptions will be granted to the above policy.*

Please note: We are sorry but injury and illness do not disqualify you from any of the above cancellation policies. We are UNABLE to transfer deposits or any payments from one year to the next.

We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest, in which case all money paid to Wild Soul Retreats will be refunded. Wild Soul Retreats CANNOT be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or tour cancellations.