PEAKING ADVENTURES PRESENTS:
Tree Top Adventure Program
A couples outdoor relational retreat in beautiful Northern California.
May 30th - June 2nd, 2024 - Investment $600-$1,200 per person.
Are you seeking an adventure that can rekindle your intimacy?
Have you noticed a lack of connection from a backlog of unresolved ruptures?
Are you and your partner yearning for more connection?
Do you wish for more ease in broaching challenging conversations?
Do you desire the skills to transform conflict into deeper trust and intimacy?
Join us for an enriching 4-day retreat where you'll not only learn Dr. Hazel-Grace’s transformative 6-step REPAIR Process but also embark on the exhilarating adventure of climbing tall trees hand in hand.
Our relationship teaching curriculum is designed to equip you with the essential tools and confidence needed to mend conflicts, rebuild trust, and rekindle intimacy. What sets us apart is the immediate application of these newfound skills while playing in the treetops.
We believe that stepping outside our comfort zones is where true growth begins. By engaging in activities that push our boundaries, we create fertile ground for self-discovery and deeper connections.
We are accepting up to 6 couples.
We will be camping and climbing trees in the stunning North Yuba River and Bullard’s Bar Reservoir area just outside Nevada City, CA.
This trip is a beta program, therefore, we will be eliciting feedback as well as offering this at a lower cost.
This is for couples who:
Deeply care about one another.
Value improving communication skills.
Practice self-awareness in relationships.
Have a growth mindset.
Enjoy the outdoors.
Are eager to learn and play in a supportive group.
**This is not for couples who are in relational emergencies or distress.**
Benefits
Throughout the retreat, you'll have the opportunity to:
Learn New Skills Together: Discover the joy of acquiring new skills as you master the art of tree climbing alongside your partner.
Expand Your Comfort Zone: Embrace the discomfort of the unknown as you venture into uncharted territories, allowing for personal and relational growth.
Challenge Your Communication and Trust: By navigating the challenges of climbing trees together, you'll strengthen communication, resilience, and trust within your relationship.
Community: Experience compassion and support from the fellow couples as you grow and learn together.
Authentic Exampling: Conflicts may arise between Nico and Hazel-Grace, and you will have the opportunity to witness their authentic conflict resolutions using the REPAIR Process.
This retreat isn't just about climbing trees; it's about embarking on a journey of self-discovery and relational renewal. Join us as we explore the heights of personal and interpersonal growth, one climb at a time.
Why we are passionate about working with couples in the outdoors:
We are so excited about combining two of our biggest passions:
Getting people outside experiencing the natural world
Teaching relational skills that will help deepen and expand intimate relationships
We believe nature, in and of itself, can be an incredibly resourcing and healing space for our internal and relational landscapes.
Oftentimes the health and vitality of our relationships can be reflected in the way we navigate conflict.
Being in the outdoors and having new experiences that challenge us both physically and mentally can bring to the surface underlying tensions and patterns we experience in our relational life.
This is exactly where Dr. Hazel-Grace’s REPAIR process comes in! REPAIR is an acronym for a 6 step process to navigate challenges and come back into connection.
During our journey together we will be weaving in teachings and practices to support you in navigating conflicts with ease and grace, resulting in deeper and richer intimacy. Nico and Hazel-Grace have a gift of facilitating through storytelling filled with personal vulnerability and levity.
Our intention is to create a safe and supportive environment in service of people stretching their growth edges.
Relational Teachings & Practices
Before the program begins, you will have pre-homework (an electronic workbook and videos) on the REPAIR process
During the program, we will have several classes guiding you to connect with your partner including practicing the REPAIR process, nourishment, appreciations, celebrations and play!
Hazel-Grace has been a group facilitator for over 20 years and weaves in a variety of modalities such as Circling and Authentic Relating, Trauma Informed Skills, Shadow EFT (emotional freedom technique), IFS or parts work (Internal Family System), NVC (non-violent communication), Somatic Sex Education
Tree Climbing:
You do not have to have any previous experience with rock climbing or tree climbing.
Tree climbing does require strength, coordination, and comfort with heights.
Just like top rope rock climbing, we will be setting up ropes in the trees. You will be harnessed and tied into the rope so that you can safely ascend the trees while being belayed.
We do not cause harm to the trees as we only use rope, webbing, feet, and hands to climb.
Nourishment:
We are passionate about cooking outside, and teaching you how to cook yummy and nutritious meals while camping using whole foods
We will provide the food and the meal plans, and everyone will share in the cooking and cleaning over the program
Part of this experience will include the opportunity to learn and practice these skills and the joy of getting to nourish each other
Everyone will share in the preparing and cleaning of the group meals
About the Bullard’s Bar Reservoir Area
We will be camping in established group campgrounds that have pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and bear boxes.
The average temperatures range in May is 48 to 69 F
We will be at 2,000 feet in elevation.
If you are flying, the nearest airport is Sacramento, CA (80 minute drive)
The nearest town is Nevada City, CA , which is 10 miles away
Join Us:
Thursday, May 29th - Sunday, June 2nd
Dates:
ARRIVAL: Thursday, May 30th - Arrive by 11:00am
DEPART: Sunday, June 2nd - Depart by 11:00am
What we will provide:
The Art of REPAIR Workbook
The Art of REPAIR self-paced video course (to complete before the program begins)
Group relational workshops
Campsites
Camp kitchen
Guided tree climbing
Yummy meals
What you will provide:
Please note: if you do not have some gear, Hazel-Grace and Nico may have some gear for you to use for this trip.
Standard rock climbing harness
Sleeping equipment - tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp
Transportation to and from the site
Personal clothes and toiletries
Water (1 gallon per person/per day)
ABOUT YOUR GUIDES
The Story of Nico and Hazel-Grace
They met in Nevada City, CA in 2019 and quickly fell for one another. Their first date night was a potent evening with both feeling soulfully met in depth, care, passion and joy. When things couldn’t seem to get better, they discovered they both ADVENTURE!
Hazel-Grace, who was living in Colorado, moved to Nevada City in May of 2020 to be with Nico during the pandemic. The couple hand-fasted in May of 2022 (hand-fasting is a commitment ceremony).
They identify as being in a secure poly relationship that continues to peak (hence, Peaking Adventures). One of their superpowers is their ability to move through ruptures with efficiency and care. They love adventuring into the wild together and geeking out on relationship.
In the summer of 2023 while rafting down the Green River in Utah, it dawned on them they want to combine all of their years of experience into leading couples on outdoor adventures and helping them up-level their relationships.
About Hazel-Grace’s Journey
From an early age Hazel-Grace LOVED playing outside and fell in love with outdoor adventuring during college in 2000. They worked for the outdoor education center on the college campus and then in Spain for the U.S. Navy.
In 2003 they moved to Breckenridge, CO where they worked as a Therapeutic Outdoor Recreation Specialist for 5 years. They had the opportunity to guide some of the most extraordinarily brave humans river rafting, camping, rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, ropes course, skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing. The participants of all ages had disabilities ranging from multiples sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, paralysis, Down syndrome, autism, cancer, mental illness, blindness etc.
In 2008 they got their Masters degree in Education specializing teaching orientation and mobility for the blind (using a cane to travel safely).
While at Burning Man in 2009 they experienced their sexual liberation and soon after started their 13 year career as a sex and relationship educator.
In 2023 Hazel-Grace created the REPAIR process and is so excited to bridge their outdoor guiding, group facilitation and relationship coaching skills into Peaking Adventure.
About Nico’s Journey
Nico grew up in a healthy and supportive family environment, with great examples of loving partnerships. One result of this has been that he developed a secure attachment style of relating. This has supported him in a series of long term healthy monogamous and polyamourous relationships.
When he met Hazel-Grace he was able to embody a healthy relationship, even if he didn't always have the languaging to explain how to do so. Nico has been geeking out, learning and studying communication and relationships alongside Hazel-Grace for the last 4.5 years.
He has been instrumental in Hazel-Grace's content creation for the REPAIR process and the writing of the REPAIR workbook. He is excited to stand beside Hazel-Grace and step more into teaching this content.
As soon as Nico could walk he could be found climbing on trees or riding his bicycle. Directly out of high school he joined the professional ski patrol at his local mountain and gained real life medical emergency experience. He then became a professional wild land firefighter for the Canadian Government. By the end of 5 years he reached a crew leader position and was responsible for the safety of his crew.
One of the most relevant skills he learned was dangerous tree assessment and removal on the fire line. Nico spent many hours working with and on tress to assess their safety.
He then got two rope access certifications, SPRAAT & IRAAT.
He combined his skills with rope work and tree assessment to do freelance arborist style work.
Years of seasonal work in Canada afforded him many months to outdoor adventure in the mountains. His passions included alpine rock climbing, back country skiing and mountain biking. He would regularly guide friends in the outdoors where he discovered his love for teaching.
PRICING:
This will be Peaking Adventures first official program, therefore we are offering a low first time price. We ask each person to contribute anywhere between $600-$1,200 per person.
The $600-$1,200 range has two purposes:
Sliding scale to accommodate varying access to resources
We ask for a minimum of $600, and if at the end of the trip you found more value than what you paid, we welcome additional contributions
Application and Registration Process:
Complete online application
Intake call to ensure a good fit
Send a minimum $600 per person to complete your registration and reserve your spot
Wilderness Safety:
Nico and Hazel-Grace are both trained in wilderness first aid.
Insurance and Liability:
We will ask for you to sign a release of liability form and you will be on your own medical insurance if anything were to happen