DATES: SEPTEMBER 3 – 5, 2025
TUITION: $336
LOCATION: GARDINER, MT
GROUP SIZE: 12
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 3
PROGRAM INFORMATION
How can inspiration be drawn from the natural world to better manage stress, emotions, and practice mindfulness? What is possible when people are intentional about time spent in nature and equate the outer wilderness with our inner wilderness?
Join Sydney and Barry Williams for a weekend of wellness in the wilderness at Yellowstone National Park. Through a combination of hiking, mindfulness activities, self-reflection practices, and community connection, students can look forward to unearthing a connection to themselves, each other, and the world around them. A proven framework for tapping into the healing power of nature will empower participants to build resilience, self-trust, compassion, and empathy. Integrating the skills learned in the park into daily life back at home will help students reduce stress, improve mindset, and help feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.
DAY 2
Stewardship + Self-Discovery
Students will be joining the Volunteers in Parks team for a stewardship project to help connect the dots between inner and outer wilderness, give back to the park, and build a reciprocal relationship with the land. The time after the stewardship project is free for the students to use as they wish before dinner and the evening workshop.
DAY 3
Wander & Wonder Beaver Ponds Trail (5.65 mi/950 ft)
Beaver Ponds is a moderate trail loop which leaves and ends at Mammoth Hot Springs. The trail traverses through open sage habitat punctuated by stands of conifers and wetlands. After the hike, participants can explore Mammoth Hot Springs before returning to Gardiner.
Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and goes through 5:00 PM on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 3
- Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1,000 feet in undulating terrain.
- For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:
Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.
- Optional – Journal
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-848-9128.
General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Gardiner-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.
To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOW
Sydney Williams
Sydney Williams is an author, speaker, co-founder of Wellness in the Wilderness Consulting and founder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit dedicated to the healing power of nature. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder, an instructor at the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park, an instructor at the Field Institute at Sequoia National Park, and a founding member of the Outdoorist Oath.