Nonviolent communication immersion Wild water paddling journey Nymboida , northern nsw 20-28th of march 2019

Why would this experience be good for you? This experience is a beautiful opportunity for individuals, couples, family members, and friends to deepen and nourish relationship. Deep growth and connection is available by immersing together into nature whilst developing supportive communication practices.

Being in canoes creates a platform for a much more intimate understanding of self and the water. It is not like the gun-ho, guided experience of a rafting adventure. Instead boats are paddled in pairs, facilitating an opportunity for participants to develop trust, communication and understanding with their canoeing partners, as well as experiencing first hand the outcome of their paddling decisions. The Nymboida river has a safe, drop-pool style, so capsizes and mistakes are harmless fun, with ample room to collect our wits and process our experiences in the calm pools below.

The excitement of the rapids is well complemented by the peaceful, pristine, natural gorges that engulf us as we venture further downstream. Wilderness campsites far from civilisation provide the backdrop for impressive stargazing opportunities,as we commune around the campfire by night.

What it involves: During the retreat we will spend time living and moving together as community, connecting with all of life – our surroundings, ourselves and others to tangibly experience our interdependence. This moves us beyond our ideas of separation, habitual thinking of who is right and who is wrong. We will travel downstream as a tribe, carrying everything we need to survive and thrive in our canoes, and all contributing to cooking and camp creation.

What is NVC? Nonviolent Communication (NVC), was founded by Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s. It is grounded in consciousness, language, communication skills, and uses of power that enable us to remain connected to everyone's humanity, even under trying conditions. Nonviolent Communication contains nothing new: all that has been integrated into NVC has been known for centuries. The intent is to remind us about what we already know - about how we humans are meant to relate to one another – and to assist us in living in a way that concretely manifests this knowledge.

Do I need prior experience? The prerequisite for this retreat is prior attendance at a NVC 2 day foundation training or equivalent. Arriving with some understanding of NVC helps people to benefit from each moment of the retreat (not just the sessions). Kate will offer us all an experiential style of integrated practices that support learning NVC in ways that are lively, relevant, engaging and deeply enriching. For a list of trainings, ​ go to www.nvcaustralia.com Talk to us if you can't make one of these, there may be other options. ​ ​

What if I haven’t paddled a canoe much/ever? If your canoe experience is limited, don’t stress: no paddling experience is required and beginners are welcome! We will teach everyone the skills, features and safety tips needed to give whitewater canoeing a go. An open-mind, positive outlook and sense of adventure, will be all you need to bring. This section of river is perfect for developing canoeing skills, as there are easier grade 1 and 2 rapids for the first few days, allowing time for solid skill development, and little consequence for mistakes. As the journey continues and your skills improve we will approach some more challenging grade 3 elements to paddle and grade 4 rapids to portage (walk around). A great progression in physical challenge will be equally matched by a journey deeper into our understanding of ourselves and the way we can effectively communicate with others.

The Wilderness is a beautiful platform for developing new skills, friendships and exploring new places, both in the world and our relationships with others. During our holistic adventures we ​ encourage participants to accompany the physical aspects of self powered travel by welcoming an emotional, spiritual and transformational journey. After all, away from technology, and immersed in ​ ​ reality, it is a great place for some reflection and introspection. Come and JOIN US on a unique opportunity!

Where is it? How do I get there? The Nymboida river is inland from Grafton, in Northern NSW. We will connect fellow adventurers to encourage carpooling.

Commute Times Coffs Harbour Airport 1.5hrs

Byron Bay/ Ballina Airport 2.5hrs

Gold Coast Airport 3hrs

Brisbane Airport 4hrs

Sydney Airport 7.5hrs *Approximate drive times (minus pee breaks), please note if you are cycling, swimming, walking, or sailing to us it will probably take longer

Where do we meet? We will be meeting at 10am and finishing around midday (NSW daylight savings time) at the Mann River Caravan Park, Jackadgery. Your cars can be safely stored here throughout our Journey.

What’s Included: Daily sessions to facilitate and deepen our Nonviolent Communication with NVC facilitators Qualified & experienced Whitewater Instructors & Guides to keep you safe on the water Delicious Nutritious Food for your entire stay - Featuring: Local, Organic, Sustainable produce Wilderness Camping under more than 5 stars, with nights spent relaxing by the fire

Also: Canoes, Paddles, Barrels, Lifejackets, Helmets and all other rescue gear Wilderness First Aid kit and Satellite Phone Campsites, National Park Permits & Car Shuttles Optional: Tent, Sleeping Mattress hire

Investment: The price of priceless time spent in nature: $2200 per person (up to 12 spots available) To book your seat in a canoe - go to ​ https://journeyoutdoorsinnature.com.au/product-category/white-water-paddling/

Please note: We would like to make this training both accessible and sustainable. Please checkout the FUNdraising ideas document if this is beyond your reach, we would not want money to be the only reason you don't attend.

Also, If you haven’t yet attended an Nonviolent Communication foundation course prior to the retreat and are still interested please contact us prior to booking, so we can help you find one.

One of the joys of working with nature, is that river levels are out of our control. If the Nymboida river levels are too high or low to guarantee an enjoyable or safe journey, we can move locations to the Clarence River or Clarence River gorge, which are both very enjoyable sections accessible within 1-2 hours of the Nymboida. In the extreme case of widespread flooding or drought, the trip may be rescheduled for an alternative date.

This journey will be facilitated by Kate Raffin, Caitlin Clare, Tegan Cork & Laura Stampa.

Kate's first language is colour. She comes with over 12 years experience mediator, facilitator and trainer and has been a practicing artist since she could hold a crayon. She is a certified trainer with the Centre for Nonviolent Communication www.cnvc.org and is an animator with Play in the Wild – ​ ​ initiations into Nonviolence for youth, educators and families www.playinthewild.org . Kate's work ​ ​ and passion highlights the power we have to represent our true longings in ways that inspire connection through engagement with life and each other. Kate brings an appreciation for the human challenges of 'being nonviolence' as well as inspiration and courage for real change in our lives -CREATIVELY. To see more about Kate go to www.hearttalkmatters.com ​ ​ ​​

Caitlin is a Zenthai Shiatsu and Biodynamic Craniosacral therapist, NVC mediator and adventurer into the nature of all things. This year she immersed into both a white water canoeing journey with Tegan and Laura, and also the NVC expedition into Kakadu with Kate and Cassie Newnes. And from the profound experience of these journeys grew a vision to merge the two. To combine the support and connection of NVC with the thrill and challenge of white water canoeing and the peace and simplicity of life on the river.

Tegan is a Somatic Therapist, Apprentice Doula, Artist and Whitewater River Guide. She enjoys helping people come back into their bodies, developing an understanding of the role that our emotions play in our overall well being, and drawing metaphors from nature. She is also an amazing river chef and will nourish your bodies throughout the journey with our organic and ayurvedic inspired menu.

Laura is an Adventurer, Writer, Outdoor & Environmental Education Teacher and Whitewater Instructor. She has explored and lead people on adventurous journeys for most of her life. She particularly enjoys drawing on experiences from natural journeys to help us negotiate life’s unpredictability. She is fascinated by using breath, body movement, mindfulness, and nature immersion to better understand and connect with the world around us and learn to go with the flow.

Laura and Tegan create journeys so you can rediscover your natural wellness through their business Journey Outdoors in Nature www.journeyoutdoorsinnature.com.au Contact us for bookings, ​ ​ questions or inquiries on [email protected] or 0457 661 573 ​ ​

Laura says: “Life is not about avoiding capsizing, it’s about learning to negotiate your world when it is ​ flipped upside-down. The river is a great place to embody this practice” Tegan says: “These trips have changed my life and now I have the honour of being apart of your ​ ​ transformation” Kate says: “Come join us for this trip – it's a one-off and YOU get to make it that” ​ ​ Caitlin says: “This trip is a gift and will be an absolute life changer” ​ ​

What attendees of our January trip wanted to say to anyone thinking about JOINing us:

I enjoyed the food so much and am so grateful for the attention to details, provenance, health, taste, and that is was sustainably and organically sourced. Such a wonderful experience of emerging in pristine nature – fully supported by a highly skilled and nurturing team. An opportunity to connect with the river, each other, and ourselves. Informed by the river, we learnt through being with each other, meeting our edges and leaning into complex/challenges that arise using the NVC skills we integrated along the journey. I had so much fun and I am so glad I came. Thank you thank you thank you. Bridget O’Donnell

Go for it, book early, take closed in shoes, relax. Anonymous

The main thing I’m taking away is empowerment, hope, and pride. Be open, prepared to examine your inner landscape, and allow yourself to be challenged to grow. Paul

Thinking about a trip with us? I’d say f*k yeah… And leave me a seat too! Oh, and be ready to be physical and practice good teamwork. Leith Sharp

Join! I quickly found it to be a safe place to be even with no canoeing experience and a little rusty in my NVC Rosita Holmes

I took away empowerment, skills on the river, a sense of community, belonging/to matter, new friends, and encouragement to take the skills into the future. Awesome adventure, get good gear, and get basic understanding of NVC first. Zena Oliver

I am taking away skills and clarity to use NVC effectively. Give it ago. I got a lot out of it. It helped me move through a lot of stuff. Plenty of love and understanding. Lots of help available. Kathy C.

I’m taking away renewed connection to community concepts, water skills, and inspiration. Do it. Amazingly supportive and very connective. Elizabeth Hill

Do it! It’s a fantastic way to connect yourself through the magic wonder medicine in the outdoors. The journey is challenging but momentously beneficial to growth and understanding. A gentle unwinding into natural flow. Bronte Awesomeness Glasby

The main things I am taking away is witnessing the strength, leadership, resilience, competence, insurance and community of women. Go for it! Absolutely worth every penny! You will love it! Michael V

For sure, you would be crazy not to. I had the best time, great fun, great people Anonymous

I’m taking away presence, connection, friendships, inspiration, direction forward, better understanding of rapids and group voyages. Also awesome ideas for food options and for travels. Definitely do it. If you want to meet great people, enjoy restaurant quality food, whilst enjoying the simplicity of nature and the fun of white water canoeing in a team learning to deepen relationships and connection. Sonia

Thriving Survivors - NVC Canoe Class of January 2019