Family Journey
Northern New Mexico, outside Santa Fe
2026 dates TBD

$895 per person for the first two family members, $500 per person after that

 “I found the beauty and comfort of honesty, vulnerability and giving in to giving it up, not only privately but publicly in the confidence and honor of the circle.” Cynthia J.

Spending time in nature, once a given, is now a rarity for many of us—especially our overscheduled, tech-savvy children. But experiencing the natural world with all five senses remains a vital part of healthy human development.

Many of us remember growing up with plenty of unstructured time outdoors, during which we explored the world from creek to treetop. In this Family Journey, we’ll bring back that forgotten pastime together, freeing our children and ourselves to connect to the natural world.

We’ll build a fire without matches. Canoe down a river. Learn which plants are edible (the easy way—with experts beside us). By the end of our week in the woods, we’ll feel that once-familiar pleasure of being at home, and at our best, in nature.

This journey will lead to stronger, healthier connections between children, parents and nature. Our week in the Hiawatha National Forest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will be an easy, enjoyable way for families to be in nature together. Group leaders Duane Kinnart, Larry Glover and Cheryl Slover-Linett, along with other Native American guides, will provide all the ingredients for a week of wonder and exploration: camping gear, healthy and delicious food, and wilderness know-how.

For more details and an FAQ about the journeys, click here.

Our itinerary for the 2015 Family Journey will include:

• Sunday, August 2:  arrive mid-afternoon, set up camp, evening welcome circle
• Monday, August 3: build an Ojibwa tipi then enjoy free time for swimming, hiking and canoeing, evening drumming and singing
• Tuesday, August 4: canoe down the Au Train river for the day, stopping at the rope swing for lots of fun
• Wednesday, August 5: spend the day with Ojibwa copper artist Larry Godfrey as we each make our own copper bowls in the tradition passed down to Larry from Ojibwa elder Ed Gray.
• Thursday, August 6:  hike to the shores of Lake Superior and marvel at the power of this Great Lake, wrap up the evening with a traditional sweat lodge
• Friday, August 7: closing ceremony as we say our goodbyes to each other and the majesty of Swan Lake

To register, please contact us at cheryl@leadfeather.org or click here to register online.  A portion of your fees go to support Lead Feather’s programs for Native American youth, helping them connect deeply to Mother Earth.  Interested in helping more?  Learn how.