Outdoor activities groups near Richmond, CA

Calling all women who love getting out in nature and want an experienced guide and small group of like minded women to motivate them to make it happen! 

Is this you...?

~You feel really alive and happy when you're outdoors and wish you'd make it more of a priority to get out there? 

~You wish you could hit the pause button on your daily demands so you can feel more grounded and centered? You have a hunch that the peace and quiet of being outside is just the thing you need.

~You want deeper meaning, clarity and connection but are at a loss at how to find it? Being supported and guided could make all the difference. 

~You are feeling overwhelmed, angered or saddened by world events? You need solace and perspective nature can provide?

Let me and the Earth be your guide! On this special daylong just for women, all you have to do is receive and let yourself be nourished. Let the support of a small group of like-hearted women and the luxury of time alone in a beautiful place outdoors fill you up.

Through Earth honoring ritual and embodied mindfulness, you will be guided through simple, rich practices that will cultivate your personal relationship with wild nature and will deepen an intimate connection with your inner nature.

On This Women's Fall Nature Day You Will:
• Experience receiving the wisdom of the natural world and your essential nature.
• Experience the transformative, restorative and inspirational power of deeply connecting with the Earth.
• Learn practices that can serve as a ground and an inner compass in your life.
• Authentically connect with other women who share a desire for humanity to live to right relationship to our planet. 

The morning will be spent in circle, where you will take part in the practice of Council and Earth based and embodied rituals. Your guides will help you distill your intentions and questions for your solo time with the land. After the morning circle, you will have the precious opportunity to spend alone being guided by your body, heart and spirit as you listen and look deeply into the natural world. Once you return from solo, you will share your experience with the group. Guides will enhance your understanding and integration of your solo time. Your guides will help you have clear vision for your next steps in your life! 

This is an intimate workshop limited to 12 women. You will receive guidance that is just for you! Plus the daylong includes a one on one phone call before and after to support you with preparation and with integration, so your experience will have a deep impact on your life. 

"The location for our Nature Day was magical, it felt nourishing to be on such sacred and diverse land. My solo time in nature was the absolute highlight for me. It was EXACTLY what my heart had been yearning for. It was also incredibly inspiring to hear and be witnessed by others in such an honored way. I especially appreciated that at the end we were given tools to bring each of our experiences into our lives with practical next steps. I now want to do a Nature Day at least once a year! It's such a beautiful way to let go of what no longer serves and step boldly forward into the future. Amy is a fantastic guide. She holds a beautiful, safe space that is filled with a love for both people and nature." ~ Tracy Lee Jones

Amy Biesemeyer, LMFT has been Ecotherapy guide and trainer since 2004. Her deep love for the natural world was born in 1994 when she backpacked throughout California for eight weeks, studying Ecopsychology. She is especially passionate about working with groups of women and has deeply explored her own womanhood through participating in and leading women's groups, as well as earning a BA in Women's Studies. She trained with the School of Lost Borders, holds a Masters in Somatic Psychotherapy from CIIS and is a Wilderness First Responder. Amy draws upon her experiences from being a student of Jennifer Welwood and The Diamond Heart Approach, both of which are embodied psycho/spiritual paths to awakening. Nature is her teacher and sanctuary, and she is honored to guide others in the magical unfolding of their inner wilderness. 

Bay Area Anything Active is a Meetup group focused on anything that makes you move! Hiking, bicycling, camping, backpacking, running, kayaking, swimming, surfing, rock climbing, bouldering, bungee jumping, mountaineering, sports—if it can be done with a group, it can be done with BAAA!

Participation
For some events, you may be advised and expected to have a certain level of physical ability and stamina to participate in the activity. There are inherent risks with any active sport or activity. By participating in Bay Area Anything Active events, you agree that you are solely responsible for your own safety at all times. You are solely responsible for preparing for events you attend and having the skill sets required for any activity.

Attendance Policy
Please RSVP to events only if you plan on attending. Be sure to update your RSVP if your attendance plans change, and avoid last-minute changes whenever possible.

3 Strikes for No Shows: Members who RSVP yes and do not show up to 3 events may be subject to removal and/or banning from the group.

Dog/Pet Policy
With the exception of service animals which are always welcome, dogs are permitted at events only if expressly permitted by the event host. For the safety and comfort of members, dogs should be leashed at all times.

Child Policy
There are no special accommodations made for kids (i.e., they need to keep up... although a lot of times we are the ones who need to keep up with them :) It is your responsibility to read the event description and decide whether the activity is suitable for your kids. 

RSVP Limit for Some Events
RSVP limits are at the discretion of the event organizer.  Big groups can be hard to manage and at times not all that fun for organizers and attendees alike.  Please respect the RSVP limit and understand that organizers are volunteers - events have to be fun for us or else we have no reason to keep doing this.  

Gender/Age Preference for Some Events
Some events may be tailored to a specific gender/age range (e.g., a women-only backpacking trip or a 20's and 30's hike). This makes it easier for members to meet fellow adventurers who share similar interests. BAAA was founded with members of a 20- and 30-somethings hiking group in the East Bay, but we have since expanded to become a comprehensive activities group.

Fee-Based Events
Most events are free of charge, and our preference is to keep them that way. Meetup events with fees are allowed only when the fee is justified (to cover reservations, gear rental, etc.).  Event hosts are not compensated for their time organizing and leading events; they are 100% volunteers.

No Soliciting
Please do not promote your business/ product/ service/ fundraiser or fee-based event of any kind to group members or organizers. This restriction includes yoga classes, climbing workshops, salsa lessons, run/walk fundraisers, product/app launches, etc. Anything and everything that is promotional is not appropriate for this group.  We encourage all members to suggest and host events, but if you keep suggesting promotional events or discussions you will be banned from the group.  The group does not accept sponsorships and does not promote any products, services, or causes. There is absolutely NO marketing to members—no exceptions. Organizers will not answer soliciting messages.  

Questions?
If you have questions about an upcoming event, please contact the event's host/organizer.  If you have general questions about BAAA, please contact Alina. Thank you!