Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations? Complete details below for either cabin renters or retreat participants:

For retreat participants: To reserve your space in a scheduled retreat, send a non-refundable deposit of $100 along with your current contact information, including email address. The balance is due 30 days prior to trip start date. Upon receipt of your deposit, a confirmation packet will be mailed to you with detailed trip information and a complete packing list. Your complete application must include a medical form, trip survey, and signed waiver. For your convenience, you also may pay with a credit card (Mastercard, VISA, American Express and Discover). After confirming your registration on a trip by email or phone contact with staff, we will send you a confirmation email with directions on how to make a secure credit card payment.

To speed and simplify the registration process, please download and fill out the following forms:
* Cabin Renters: No need for any forms!
* Holistic canoe trips: medical form, survey, and waiver
* Weekend retreats: weekend medical form, weekend survey and waiver.

Mail completed forms with your deposit. If you are unable to download these forms, we will mail them to you upon receipt of your deposit. Early reservations are recommended. Please note that registering for a retreat does not confirm your participation. Your medical form must deem you healthy enough to participate in our programs, be it physical or emotional health.

Note: All information that you include in your medical and personal information forms is private and never shared outside of Nurture Through Nature, to the full extent of the law. Information requested is to provide us with a base of knowledge to help guide both staff and you to the most appropriate program for your needs and intentions and to be sure that NTN programs are right for you and your place on your path at this time. We DO NOT sell or trade your contact information.

Those returning to NTN will have first trip availability options and receive a 5% discount. New applicants will be admitted to retreats on a first come, first served, based upon date of receipt of nonrefundable $100 deposit. To make your reservation, send check or money order to:

Nurture Through Nature
Attention: Jen Deraspe
77 Warren Rd
Denmark, Maine 04022

For cabin renters:
RESERVATIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

Reserve by contacting for availability @ 207.452.2929 or email at ntnretreat@yahoo.com. Once dates are confirmed available, mail in a deposit of $59 by check or money order to Nurture Through Nature, 77 Warren Rd, Denmark, Maine, 04022 and include all current contact information . Balance is due upon arrival. Your deposit will be returned in full if reservation is cancelled by phone on or greater than 2 weeks prior to arrival date. Cancellations within 14 days of reservation are nonrefundable and may be applied to another cabin stay or retreat within one year of cancelled reservation. For your convenience, you also may pay with a credit card (Mastercard, VISA, American Express and Discover). After confirming your registration on a trip by email or phone contact with staff, we will send you a confirmation email with directions on how to make a secure credit card payment.

Check in is at 2pm and check out is by noon. If the space is not being rented before or after you, these times are adjustable to your schedule.

Do participants usually come on trips alone? How do we form our own group?

Most women join trips listed on the calendar page, coming without knowing anyone else -- some bring a friend or family member along. Others design their own personalized retreat with their own circle of friends, family or co-workers. To do this, the group of 4-12 may book one of the listed trips or select another date other than those listed on the calendar page that works for staff. Whatever path led you to NTN, we are confident you will depart as a close community of friends connecting in a soulful, lasting way. Keep us in mind for celebrations, reunions, family events, rites of passage, co-ed trips and more.

Am I good enough shape to do this?

In case you are worried about the level of fitness needed or how intense the paddling, hiking, or snow shoeing may be, we want to stress that our goal is to get people out in nature, not to "conquer" it, but to connect with it's gentle rhythm and pace. We want to expose people to the beauty and stillness found in the quiet, less traveled places. We have attempted to rate the level of activity we will be experiencing on each retreat that is necessary to get to and from each destination. Do not hesitate to inquire in advance if this general scale below still brings question or concern. Our pace will always allow ample time and consideration for each group member and provide the space necessary to recognize all the beauty around us. Most trips do, however, require a basic level of health and stability by the nature of transporting ourselves, gear and food by boat or foot, and setting up and breaking down our camp sites. Team work comes in handy here. Age is not a limiting factor and our eldest to date has been 76, with most women in their 60's, 50's, 40's and some in their 30's. Each trip has shown an age range of guests typically from 30 something to 60 something, giving a broad perspective on life experiences and the passage of time. Regardless of age or experience, each woman seems to become the other's teacher, which is a beautiful thing to witness.

FITNESS SCALE:
1=Short distance traveled, gentle terrain and overall climate, often staying in the same camp site, an island when possible, for more than one night consecutively (or for the entire trip) to lessen the packing and handling of "stuff". Explore landscape on appropriately-paced day trips. Includes team approach to loading and unloading boats and setting up camp.

2=More distance to travel, although, appropriately paced, sometimes spending time in multiple campsites over course of retreat to reach final destination, involves more wilderness exploration. Includes team approach to loading and unloading boats, & setting up camp.

3=Moderate fitness needed, regularly exercise program at home recommended before coming, typically for backpacking trips only or a river trip where we spend one night at each site. Neither of these retreats do we currently offer.

Customer Payment Terms/Cancellation Policy: To reserve your space, send a $100 non-refundable check or money order deposit along with your current contact information, including email address. Balance is due 30 days prior to event start date. Each event has a non-refundable cancellation fee attached. If you cancel your reservation 30 days prior to retreat start date, you will receive a full credit for any retreat within 1 year of that retreat date less your $100 deposit cancellation fee. If you cancel your reservation between 14 to 30 days of trip start date, you will receive a 50% credit for any retreat within 1 year of that retreat date unless you are able to fill your spot. If you cancel within 14 days of trip start date, no credit or refund will be given. Once the retreat has been confirmed, you will receive a confirmation packet to assist you in your planning.

Nurture Through Nature reserves the right to cancel or postpone retreats due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. For all retreats cancelled by NTN, any and all payments received will be credited or refunded to you, whichever you prefer. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance. All trips are confirmed 30 days prior and we recommend making flight arrangements only after your trip has been confirmed. Inquire about our Fair Work Exchange Program for a trip fee reduction.

Do you offer scholarships?
We have developed a Fair Work Exchange program with a variety of options for a fee reduction. Please contact us for the application.