Braving in the Wilderness
Women’s Retreat
October 10 - 13, 2025
BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Where are you being called to be BRAVE?
Join a small group of courageous women for a four-day experience of rest, connection, and inner exploration. Through journaling, real conversations, and meaningful connections, you’ll navigate three wilderness pathways discovering what’s possible when you’re brave with your life.
There's no better place than the wilderness to explore the vastness of what is inside of you.
The wilderness holds answers to more questions than we have yet learned to ask.
— Nancy Newhall
Curated Content
This retreat will be a balance of facilitated, structured segments where you will engage with your fellow travelers or explore your inner self by journaling, as well as free time for you to wander and explore.
Fireside Chats
In the evening, wind down in front of the fire cozied under a blanket and sipping a glass of wine or tea. Filled with stories and laughter, it’s a fun time connecting with your fellow travelers.
Wilderness Time
Experience the literal wilderness on an organized walk/hike at the Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary or Spearfish Canyon in the beautiful Black Hills. Access to the Mickelson Trail is nearby the cabin.
In-Residence Chef
Mealtime is magic as we always eat together. Enjoy three hearty, wholesome, healthy meals per day prepared lovingly by our live-in chef. All meals, snacks, and libations are included.
Welcome Gift
Retreats are where you get to be treated! Discover your welcome gift filled with a few of Lisa’s favorite things. Past gifts included journals, slippers, blankets, jewelry, and books.
Creative Time
Through intuitive art making practices, bring home what you unearth during our time together. Don’t worry… you don’t need to be an artist to be creative.
What You Can Expect
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Friday, October 10th
Arrive and check-in at 5:00 pm MST. Unpack, inhale the freshness of the ponderosa pines, and meet your fellow travelers. Enjoy an amazing spread of good food, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get settled in before the fire. We’ll start with getting to know each other and Friday’s opening session will set the stage for a weekend of inspiring moments.
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Saturday, October 11th
Enjoy your morning coffee or tea on the deck, a perfect place to meditate, read, or journal before starting the day. During day two, we’ll explore your call to courage and dig into what you may encounter as you uncover your own path in the wilderness. Our day will end with a beautiful dinner and fireside chat. Relax in the hot tub before going to bed.
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Sunday, October 12th
Venture out on a morning walk, take a swim in the Clubhouse pool, or find a place of solitude. During day three, our focus will shift to the braving skills you’ll need in order to become the wilderness. Skills like self-trust, self-acceptance, self-love, and standing confidently in your self-worth. This day will culminate in a special dining experience and wrap up with our final fireside chat.
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Monday, October 13th
Our final morning together will start with breakfast and a closing activity. We’ll conclude with our individual and collective intention setting. You’ll take home a new sense of belonging and the courage to continue your brave journey, supported by your new travel companions. You’ll have time to pack… we’ll say our goodbyes and check out by 10 am.
Welcome to Diamond Ridge
Escape to this breathtaking, rest-inspiring sanctuary nestled in the pines of the beautiful Black Hills, located in Powder House Pass just outside of Lead, SD. This modern, luxury mountain home will have you awestruck when you first enter.
Is this experience right for you?
Say YES to the Adventure
Do you desire to be in a space where you can spend time focusing on yourself and exploring who you are from the inside out?
Is being in a group of women where you can show up as your real self, have real conversations, and make real connections something you crave?
Are you being called into a braver life where the wilderness seems like a place bigger than you but you’re willing to trust yourself enough to see what’s there?
If so, join us as we brave the wilderness together!
Meet Your Braving in the Wilderness Guide
Hi… I’m Lisa.
I like to consider myself as a trailblazer, a pathmaker, a way-finder. But my real gift shines through when I become a fellow traveler… when I stop making the path and start walking the path with others.
I can’t tell you EXACTLY what this experience will hold for you but I can tell you that it has the potential to change your life… if you let it.
This is your time to disconnect from the busy world and open up your heart for introspection and connection.
Where do you want to be BRAVE with your life?
Choosing a new career path? Strengthening relationships? Closing a chapter in your life? Starting something new? Setting boundaries? Rewriting an old story and finding truth? Exploring more of who you’re becoming?
Let’s brave the wilderness together…
Brave Space
Want to test drive Lisa’s style, content, and teachings before committing to retreat? For $10 a month, be part of the Brave Space where we meet for one-hour on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 am CST for inspiration, motivation, direction, and connection.
The special courage it takes to experience true belonging is not just about braving the wilderness, it’s about becoming the wilderness.
— Brené Brown
What’s Included
Your own bed in a shared room
All meals and snacks from Friday evening to Monday morning
Beverage selection of coffee, tea, water, and wine with evening meals
Welcome gift bag filled with Lisa’s favorite things
Full program with curated content
Organized outdoor hike
Hot tub and access to Powder House Pass pool
You are responsible for travel to and from retreat
King bed in private room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $1100 payable
$550 due May 1, 2025
$550 due Oct 1, 2025
Twin XL bunk bed in shared room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $600 payable
$300 due May 1, 2025
$300 due Oct 1, 2025
Twin XL bunk bed in shared room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $600 payable
$300 due May 1, 2025
$300 due Oct 1, 2025
King bed in a shared room with shared Jack & Jill bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $900 payable
$450 due May 1, 2025
$450 due Oct 1, 2025
Queen bed in shared room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $900 payable
$450 due May 1, 2025
$450 due Oct 1, 2025
Full size bunk bed in shared room with attached bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $600 payable
$300 due May 1, 2025
$300 due Oct 1, 2025
King bed in private room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $1100 payable
$550 due May 1, 2025
$550 due Oct 1, 2025
King bed in private room with shared Jack & Jill bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $1100 payable
$550 due May 1, 2025
$550 due Oct 1, 2025
Queen bed in a shared room with en suite bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $900 payable
$450 due May 1, 2025
$450 due Oct 1, 2025
Bunk bed in a shared room with shared Jack & Jill bathroom
Reserve this room with a $500 deposit and remaining payment of $600 payable
$300 due May 1, 2025
$300 due Oct 1, 2025
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I'm so glad I took a leap of faith and went to this retreat. I was ready to listen, learn, and 'do the work'. Those few days exploring, journaling, and taking deep dives were powerful... just what my soul was craving. I went by myself and met women who are now my friends. Not to mention that the house was AMAZING and Lisa gives the best gifts! I highly recommend it... truly priceless and time well spent.
~ Heather Christensen
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It's hard to put this experience into words but if I were to choose one it would be INCREDIBLE! Ladies, do yourself a favor block out these dates in your calendar now, and ask to be put on Lisa's notification list. Be BRAVE - I promise you won't regret it. The time I invested with Lisa Brouwer was worth every minute! Can't wait for the opportunity to do it again soon!
~ Lindsey Stern
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Going to this retreat was so far outside my comfort zone, but Lisa made us all feel like we belonged there and she turned a group of strangers into friends. What brought each of us there was different, but we still found so much common ground and support as we learned how to brave our own wilderness. It was a wonderful experience, in an inspiring place, and one that I’ll cherish.
~ Sadie Haugen
FAQs
How many people will be there?
For real discovery and connection to happen during retreat, the group will be small. There will be no more than 18 attendees. If you are coming with friends and would like to share a room, it would be helpful to reserve them at the same time.
Is this based on the work of Brené Brown?
Where Lisa is a certified facilitator under the work of Brené Brown, this retreat is not based upon Brené’s book Braving in the Wilderness. Lisa will introduce quotes and concepts of Brené’s work but has developed her own wilderness journey she’ll be leading you through. Also… this is not a faith-based retreat but faith and spirituality organically come into conversations due to beliefs and lived experiences of the attendees.
What dietary needs can be accommodated?
We will do our best to accommodate all food requests. Once you reserve your room, you’ll complete a questionnaire informing us of your dietary preferences.
What happens after I sign up?
Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll be sent a welcome email and a short questionnaire where you can share any preferences and dietary needs. There are always a few questions that help Lisa create a personalized experience for you! You’ll also be invited to join the Braver Together Community. You can check it out here.
What’s included and not included?
Your retreat weekend includes one bed, possibly in a shared room. All your meals snacks, and select beverages (coffee, tea, bottled water, and wine) are included. Travel to and from the lodge (including airfare, travel insurance) and optional activities or outings not outlined in the retreat itinerary are not included.
How outdoors-ish and physically fit do I need to be?
You don’t need the survival skills of Bear Grylls, be an expert hiker, or have experience with tent camping to attend this retreat. The ‘wilderness’ is a metaphor for spaces we encounter that are bigger than us… we won’t spend excessive time in the literal wilderness. There is one organized hike on a maintained path accessible for any skill level.
I’m coming from out of town, where should I fly into?
The closest airport is in Rapid City, SD (RAP). It’s about 40 miles from the lodge. Another option is flying into Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) and possibly ride sharing with other attendees.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
If you cancel your registration on or before August 1, 2025, you’ll be eligible for a refund. No refunds will be offered after August 1, 2025. However, funds can be applied to a future program, to be used within one year. Registration is also transferable to another attendee.