When is it?
Dates for 2010 are August 26-29, at Breitenbush Hot Springs, near Detroit Lake, east of Salem. You can check in any time after 3 p.m. on August 26th. The registration form is available on this site. Sliding scale: $315-415 for 4 days/3 nights or $245-345 for 3 days/2 nights. Children prices: Age 6-15 $30 per night/Age 0-5 FREE. Boys under 5 and girls of any age are welcome.
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Can I bring my dog? Women with assistance dogs must contact Breitenbush
two months before the event for permission to bring their dog on the
Breitenbush property. Breitenbush authorization must be obtained prior
to arrival or they will not be allowed past the gate.
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FOOD! What do meals consist of? What about my food
allergies? Is there coffee/tea? How about dessert?
Breitenbush staff prepares 3 delicious vegetarian meals daily for
us. There are wheat-free and dairy-free selections available at every
meal. Please note if you require wheat-free or dairy free meals on your
registration form so the Breitenbush staff will know how many of these
special meals to make. If you have food restrictions beyond wheat and
dairy, you should bring your own food to supplement what you can't eat
of the general Breitenbush fare. Women in the Woods provides fresh fruit
which is available all day. We also provide coffee (leaded and unleaded).
Breitenbush serves herb tea (hot or cold, depending on the weather)
at each meal. Again, if you have a special tea or other drink you can't
live without, you should bring it. Hot water is always available. Breitenbush
provides dessert Saturday night only. Due to an outcry the first couple
of years for sweet stuff at each evening meal, Women in the Woods provides
dessert Thursday and Friday nights. Sometimes we are able to provide
wheat-free desserts, but not always. Please bring your own sweet snack
if you have dietary restrictions.
How long does it take to get there?
Of course, this depends on where you're coming from … and how fast
you drive. If you're coming from Germany, allow a full day. If you're
coming from Portland, it is about a 2-hour drive. From Portland we highly
recommend traveling the "back way" through Estacada, down Highway 224.
It is a beautiful drive along the Clackamas River and a much more relaxing
preparation for your weekend than I-5! Maps and directions available
on the location page.
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Vendors: Can I sell my crafts?
Over the years, WIW participants have showered us with fantastic hand-crafted
items. Many women have brought their crafts to sell including candy,
clothing, beading, leather-crafts, feathered treats, and more.
Do you make something you would like to display and sell at WIW-2010?
We will provide spaces and tables at the covered Gazebo by the Lodge
for you to exhibit your wares. Please e-mail
Smokey if you have questions about selling your crafts.
Support WIW Craft Makers! Buy treats for you or gifts for friends
and family. Take home special items to spark your memories of Women
in the Woods and Breitenbush Hot Springs.
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Can I present a workshop?
We do not have funds to pay for professional workshop leaders, although
some of the women leading discussion groups are professionals in their
fields. See the section in this site on Unstructured Event.
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I'm deaf. Is there an interpreter?
We will provide at least one Sign Language interpreter at Women in
the Woods, depending on the need. Please let us know at least 4 weeks
prior to the event if you will require an interpreter. We will work
out the details of the interpreter's availability to you when you arrive.
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I'm in a wheelchair. Is everything accessible?
It is possible to move about some of the property in a wheelchair.
Getting from the cabin area to the lodge is not a problem. There is
a ramp at the lodge. Some women were able to get to one of the meadow
pools in an electric chair. Others chose not to attempt it. The path
is not paved and can be muddy in spots. Most of the out-buildings (the
Forest Shelter, the Sanctuary, and the Gazebo) are accessible. The medicine
wheel tubs and the River Yurt are not accessible.
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Is there a sweat lodge?
Our 2010 WIW has a Sweat Lodge presenter who will be pouring a Sweat,
as long as fire restrictions allow. The Sweat Lodge is tentatively set
for Friday evening…see the activity sheets in the Main Lodge for further
information.
We sit on Mother Earth in the Sweat Lodge. If you wish, bring a blanket
or towel to sit on.
If you have a medical condition (high blood pressure, history of stroke,
heart problems, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.) which may be exacerbated
by prolonged heat, please consult with your physician before attending
a Sweat Lodge. You are always welcome here to sit with the fire or just
outside the tent if entering the Lodge is not right for you for any
reason.
There is no charge for the Sweat Lodge. First timers are welcome!
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Can we have a bonfire?
Since forest fire danger is always extremely high in August, no fires
of any kind are permitted … this includes incense and candles. Remember:
we are camping in a rare, old-growth forest.
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What are the accommodations?
There are several cabin sizes. All are rustic but comfortable. All
cabins have steam radiators that are heated geothermally. Linens are
not provided; bring your own, or a sleeping bag (including your favorite
pillow). Some cabins sleep up to 5, so if you have friends you would
like to share a cabin with, let us know and we will make sure you can
bunk together.
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Can I get a cabin with a toilet?
We are aware that everyone wants a cabin with a toilet. There are
17 cabins with toilets. We have approximately 130 women wanting them.
We have designated cabins with bathrooms for women who have medical
needs for them. This does not include having to pee in the middle of
the night. The cabin area community bathrooms have toilets; some also
have showers. All are easily accessible from all the cabins.
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Can I camp in my own tent?
There are 10 tent spaces available and 4 RV spaces.
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What's the policy about drugs and/or alcohol?
Breitenbush is drug- and alcohol-free. Of course, please bring your
prescription medications.
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Is Women in the Woods a lesbian-only event?
Being a lesbian is not a requirement, although many of the workshops,
and most of the humor, are lesbian-focused. Former, future and questioning
lesbians are always in attendance. Our goal is having a good time with
women. Women in the Woods is a woman-born-woman event. See the History
section in this site for further discussion about this policy.
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People Needing Rides
Please join the mailing
list to network for rides.
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A Special Note About Men
The Breitenbush Community is a cooperative which manages the conference
and retreat center. There are men in the community who have essential
jobs to do to keep things running. During our weekend, the Breitenbush
Community does their best to keep the presence of men to a minimum in
the cabin and lodge areas. But there may be times when you see men walking
through the cabin or lodge areas doing their jobs. The Breitenbush men
have been respectful of us and our need for men-free space.
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Breitenbush does not allow animals to be brought on to the property unless
the animal is needed to assist their owner. For several years, Women in
the Woods has had women attending with their assistance dogs. Many of
us will have left our dogs at home and we miss them. The dogs that come
to Women in the Woods to assist their owners are not pets. It is important
to respect them and support them for the work they do, no matter how cute
or cuddly they are and no matter how much you miss your own dog. Assistance
Dogs International has minimum standards of behavior for assistance dogs
in public:
• Dogs do not solicit attention, visit or annoy any member of the
general public.
• Dogs do not disrupt the normal course of activities.
• Dogs do not vocalize unnecessarily, i.e. barking, growling or
whining.
• Dogs shows no aggression towards people or other animals.
• Dogs do not solicit or steal food or other items from the general
public.
• Dogs must be able to lie quietly beside the handler without blocking
aisles, doorways, etc.
• Dogs must remain on lead at all times.
• Owner or dog goddess must clean up after the dog in a punctual
manner. Special trash cans are provided.