Frolic Through the Rainforest
Ready to embody your inner forest fairy and frolic among the moss and ferns with sober women who just get it? Then you were meant to join this five-day rainforest retreat near Olympic National Park!
Join us August 13-17 for a magical week in the lush beauty of America's beloved rainforest.
This week includes lakefront lodging in beautiful home on Quinault Lake, and loads of activities straight out of an adventure fairytale. That includes hiking, yoga, kayaking, swimming, floating on unicorns, and workshops by the fire on the lake watching the sunset!
This is your calling to step away from the daily grind for belly laughs, rainforest magic, and find your sober sisterhood!
Adventure level: 2/5 ⛰︎
About Northwest Washington
Get ready to immerse yourself in the biodiverse magic of Northwest Washington!
We’ll wander through an enchanting rainforest, where moss-draped trees tower above and ferns line the trail which leads past waterfalls. This temperate rainforest is one of the wettest places in the continental U.S., receiving over 12 feet of rain a year - so bring your rainjacket!
We’ll also hike the untamed beauty of the rugged Washington coastline, exploring the tide pools, scrambling over the driftwood, and participating in an inspiring workshop as the ocean breeze whips through our hair.
Home base is on the north shore of Lake Quinault, a glacially-carved gem that feels like a love letter from nature. Its glassy waters reflect mossy maples, towering evergreens, and the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains. Nearby trails lead you to hidden waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and even the world’s largest Sitka spruce!
The best part? Every night, we’ll gather around the firepit with our new sober sisters to watch the sun paint the sky over Lake Quinault!
Home Base
We’re taking over a gorgeous two-home estate nestled right on the lake, complete with private beach access, hiking trails that’ll have your boots begging for more, and plenty of cozy vibes. Think crackling firepit hangouts, game room shenanigans, and late-night laughter that echoes off the water. And don’t even get us started on the sprawling patio—perfect for journaling, sunset views, and maybe a mocktail or two.
Amenities include:
- Sprawling patio with firepit
- Game Room w/ pool table
- Fireplace
- Washer/dryer
- Access to private beach and public hiking trails
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1 Wednesday
5:00 pm – Check in
5:00 pm – Snacks, meet & greet, and icebreakers
6:00 pm – Family dinner
7:30 pm – Firepit hangout and share circle by the lake
Day 2 Thursday - Rainforest Hike!
7am-9 am – Self-serve, continental style breakfast.
8am - Yoga by the lake with Chelsea
9 am – Depart for rainforest hike (5.5 miles round trip, level easy. Elevation gain: 200 feet)
12:30 - Picnic lunch on the hike
2 pm – Head back home
3-5:00 pm - Chill time (Can swim, kayak, lounge on beach)
5:30pm - Mocktail & Workshop
7 pm –Family dinner
8 pm – Firepit hangout and share circle by the lake
Day 3 Friday - Coastline Hike
7-9 am – Self-serve, continental style breakfast
8am - Yoga by the lake with Chelsea
9am – Depart for Coastline Hike
Noon - Picnic lunch & workshop on the beach.
2pm - Head back to the house
3-5:00 pm - Chill time (Can swim, kayak, lounge on beach)
5 pm - GAME NIGHT!
7 pm – Family dinner
8 pm – Firepit hangout and share circle by the lake
Day 4 Saturday - Lake Day
7-9 am – Self-serve, continental style breakfast
9am - Yoga on the lake with Chelsea
10am - Kayaking on Quinault Lake
1pm - Lunch at the house
2-6pm: Chill time (Relax, swim, or explore hikes near the house)
7pm - Family dinner
8pm - Firepit & share circle
Day 5 Sunday
7-9 am – Self-serve, continental style breakfast
10am - Checkout
*Please note we may modify our itinerary as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. All activities are optional.
Meet your Hosts
Laura Van Antwerp
Home: Reno, Nevada
Sober time: 7 years
Bio: Laura is a full-fledged adventure junkie who can’t resist the call of the wild! From hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing to whitewater rafting, snowboarding, mountain biking and canyoneering—if it’s outdoors, she’s probably already done it (and planned the sequel).
As a backpacking and hiking guide with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, a guest speaker at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the proud recipient of the 2022 Windfeldt Inspire Award, Laura brings a mix of expertise, passion, and laughter to every adventure. She's on a mission to empower women to find connection, joy, and HAVE FUN in sobriety!
Some of Laura’s most epic escapades include conquering Snake Dike on the front face of Half Dome in Yosemite, trekking nine unforgettable days through the Andes mountains in Peru, and whitewater rafting the Kern River with her Sober Pals (proving sobriety and adrenaline are a perfect match).
When she’s not blazing trails, you’ll find Laura tending to her 132 (and counting) houseplants, fostering dogs with her husband (to the eternal side-eye of their cat), or whipping up laugh-out-loud reels on Instagram at @yoursoberpal.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder | CPR | Leave No Trace Level 2 | Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Practitioner
Chelsea Bohnstedt
Home: Overland Park, Kansas
Sober time: 1 year
Bio: Chelsea is a Kansas City-based adventurer who loves exploring the outdoors and sharing her passion for healing and connection. An alum of YSP Adventures, she combines her personal journey of over a year in sobriety with her professional expertise to create safe, supportive spaces for women to grow and thrive. Whether she’s leading on the yoga mat or guiding on the trail, Chelsea’s empathetic, trauma-informed approach helps participants feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Chelsea is passionate about fostering resilience, self-trust, and meaningful connection. She finds joy in helping others embrace their unique path to healing and self-discovery. When she’s not teaching yoga or exploring nature, Chelsea loves connecting with her community and supporting others in their sobriety journeys.
Certifications: Y12SR Space Holder | RYT-200 Yoga Teacher | CPR/AED/First Aid & Wilderness First Aid Certified
Your Retreat Package Includes
Lakeside accommodations for 5 Days, 4 Nights
Bomb-diggity homecooked meals (4 Breakfast, 4 Dinner, 3 Lunch, & Unlimited Snacks) - including Laura's world famous Thai curry
A fridge PACKED with NA beverages
Transportation to Daily Activities
Hikes with WFR/WFA certified guides
Professionally guided yoga
Entrance and commercial permit fees to National Parks and public lands
Kayak & paddleboard rentals
Unlimited access to kayaks and beach floaties
Workshops
Exclusive Goodie Bags (journals, adventure caps, and more!)
Access to ALL the amazing photos/videos we take on our trip so you can be extra present (we make sure everybody gets a few epic adventure photos)
Access to the private YSP Adventures community where you can connect with other adventurous sober pals
Not Included:
Transportation to the house
Travel insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the physical requirements?
All activities on the PNW rainforest retreat are considered easy/moderate. Hikes are 3-5 miles with under 1,000 feet elevation gain, which is considered easy to an experienced hiker and moderate to a novice hiker.
Do I have to participate in every activity?
Definitely not! If there's a day you prefer to stay back and relax, that's totally cool! Our cabin is nestled on a lake with access to hiking trails, water activities and more!
What do I need to bring?
If your application is accepted, we'll be sure to send you a detailed packing list! You'll also be invited to a private IG chat for this retreat and the YSP Adventures group where you can connect with other past, present and future retreat attendees to pick their brains!
How sober do I have to be?
This retreat is specifically crafted for women who are committed to sobriety. While we welcome women at all stages of their journey with alcohol, it’s important to note that the retreat environment centers around open and vulnerable conversations about sobriety and personal growth.
If you are sober-curious or early in your journey, we ask that you reflect on whether you are ready to engage in a supportive, safe space where sobriety is a shared commitment among participants and openly discussed. Most importantly, we seek to create a safe and respectful environment where everyone feels supported in their unique path in sobriety.
I can't really afford this right now. Do you offer payment plans or scholarships?
We totally understand. Please know your financial health is important to us. We do offer a payment plan for those who cannot afford to pay in full.
We also ask that you do not apply if you are struggling with living paycheck-to-paycheck and/or credit card debt. Please prioritize your financial health and keep an eye out for our FREE day hikes or Backpacking 101 scholarship opportunities!
If you are struggling with credit card debt, visit this link below to set up a free session with a nonprofit credit counseling service.
Let's Do This!
Private Room
King Bed: $3,200
Shared Rooms
Queen Bed: $2,900
Double Bed: $2,500
*Please note all bathrooms are shared summer camp style
*Payment plans available!
Payment Plan & Cancellation Policy
Payment Plan
We’re all about making this dream adventure as accessible (and stress-free) as possible. If you opt for the payment plan, here’s how it works:
Deposit: $200 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Payment 1: 4 months before the retreat
Payment 2: 3 months before the retreat
Payment 3: 2 months before the retreat
Payment 4: 1 month before the retreat
You’ll get a friendly email reminder a few days before each payment is due, so keep an eye on that inbox.
We know life can get a little messy sometimes, so we’ve built in a seven-day grace period for each payment. If a payment is overdue by 14 days, a $25/week late fee will be applied (but don’t worry, we’ll do our absolute best to reach you before that happens!).
If payments fall 30 days overdue, your spot on the retreat may be canceled without a refund, which we really don’t want to happen—so please keep us in the loop if you’re having any issues. We’re here to help!
Let’s make this adventure happen, stress-free and on time!
Cancellation Policy
We get it—LIFE HAPPENS. This cancellation policy is designed to be as flexible and compassionate as possible because we truly understand the unexpected, but it’s also here to protect the blood, sweat, and (occasionally happy) tears the Sober Pal team pours into crafting these magical retreats.
Here’s the deal:
- Cancel within 60 days of your deposit: Full refund (except deposit amount)
- Cancel after 60 days of your deposit: Get 50% back
- Cancel within 30 days of your retreat: No refunds, no exceptions.
But here’s some good news: retreat bookings are transferable! If you find someone who wants to take your spot (and their application is approved), they’re in—just make sure this is done at least two weeks before the retreat.
We know no one signs up for an adventure like this planning to cancel, but we’ve learned (the hard way) that last-minute changes cost us big in time, energy, and resources. While we’d love to make exceptions, we simply can’t—for any reason, including weather, illness, personal emergencies, or other unexpected life curveballs.
This is why we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance—trust us, it’s worth it! Trip insurance can cover fees if you need to cancel for medical reasons, flights, lost luggage, and more.
If you’re looking for a good travel insurance option, here’s a link to one past attendees have used and loved: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/
We’re here to help make your experience as smooth as possible—just remember, a little prep goes a long way when it comes to protecting your investment in yourself and this epic adventure. 💛
Apply to join!
If you are interested in participating in this retreat, we ask that you please fill out this application. This helps us ensure that all participants are aligned with our mission: creating a sober space where you can feel seen, supported, and free to show up as your whole, authentic self. That’s where the real magic happens—and we can’t wait for you to be part of it! ✨