Wilderness Self Discovery

Backpacking Retreat

A wilderness adventure for your Self and your parts.

7 Days of Nature and Growth in Colorado

July 19th-25th, 2026 - Paonia, CO

ONLY 10 SPOTS AVAILABLE!

SECURE MY SPOT!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Benefits

Embark on a Trail to Inner Clarity

Wilderness Backpacking Expertise: Participants will gain hands-on training in essential backpacking skills, from gear setup and trail navigation to persevering through multi-mile hikes in stunning Colorado landscapes, fostering confidence and self-reliance in the outdoors—all enhanced by our small group size for more specialized care and support.
IFS-Inspired Self-Discovery: Through guided group sessions and personal check-ins led by Conor McMillen, you'll explore Internal Family Systems (IFS) principles to connect with your inner parts, unlocking profound insights and emotional healing during this immersive retreat, with the small group dynamic allowing for deeper, more personalized attention.
Embodiment and Nervous System Regulation: Arlyn Alderdice's embodiment sessions will help you regulate your nervous system through mindful movement and nature-based practices, promoting relaxation, resilience, and a deeper mind-body connection in a serene wilderness setting, supported by our intimate group size for tailored guidance.
Musical Ensemble and Creative Expression: Join David and Arlyn Alderdice for rhythmic marimba workshops and evening music sessions, where you'll discover the joy of collaborative sound-making to enhance creativity, community bonding, and emotional release, made more impactful in a small group for individualized encouragement.
Personalized Coaching and Life Integration: With options for challenging hikes or reflective camp days, and ongoing support from Conor McMillen, Arlyn Alderdice, David Alderdice, and Ishaiah McMillen throughout the retreat, you'll receive tailored life coaching to integrate your experiences into daily life for lasting growth and renewal, amplified by the small group size ensuring specialized care and support.

This is for You If...

You're seeking personal growth through an IFS lens but want an experiential, nature-based approach beyond traditional sessions
You've felt stuck in daily routines and crave a physical challenge to build resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy
You desire hands-on coaching in a wilderness setting to reconnect with your inner self, manage discomfort, and gain fresh perspectives
You're passionate about integrating embodiment practices, music, and group reflection with backpacking for holistic mind-body renewal
You want a supportive, small-group adventure with expert guides to overcome barriers and emerge with practical tools for everyday life

SECURE MY SPOT!

Arlyn Alderdice

Arlyn is a life-coach, dance facilitator, musician, avid backpacker, gardener and mother. She has a vibrant and alive relationship with nature as a living teacher and guide to Self Energy. In addition to her Self-Led Coaching Certification (IFS Based Life-Changing Coaching), she is a SomaSource Leader (body-centered psycho-spiritual educator) and Wayfinder Life Coach (211-hour ICF Level 2 accredited coach training program). She offers a foundation of practical, grounded self-compassion, and creates a safe space where real growth, lasting healing, and profound change are possible. more at www.arlynalderdice.com

David Alderdice

David is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has loved backpacking since the 1990s as a teenager, extensively exploring wilderness areas in Western Colorado since moving there in 2003. He served as lead backpacking guide for The Nature Connection, leading youth trips for four summers from 2021-2024. Trained in Wilderness First Aid and certified as a Wilderness First Responder (recertified with Desert Mountain Medicine in October 2025), David enjoys summer backpacking with his wife and son. He believes everyone deserves the empowering experience of wilderness living, carrying essentials for fun, survival, and thriving.

Beyond adventures, David is a musician and educator with 30 years of professional drumming and percussion, 25 years of teaching, over 50 album recordings, and 1,000+ live performances. He delivered a 2016 TEDx talk on "Rhythm and Shifting our Perception."

More at www.embodyingrhythm.com

Ishaiah McMillen

Ishaiah is a dedicated Pantarei Approach practitioner specializing in psychosomatic and tantric bodywork, guiding others toward embodied healing and self-awareness. As a certified yoga teacher with a background in contemporary dance, she weaves fluid movement and mindful presence into her practices, fostering deep mind-body connections.

Her passion for somatic trauma therapy drives her to support individuals in releasing stored tensions and reclaiming vitality through gentle, intuitive approaches. With years of experience in breathwork, meditation, and quiet contemplation, Ishaiah draws profound inspiration from nature as a spiritual force that both grounds and excites her—evoking a harmonious blend of passion and peace amid the wilderness.

She brings this nurturing energy to retreats, offering supportive presence that enhances group dynamics and personal renewal.

Conor McMillen

Conor is an IFS-trained life coach and educator who completed training with the IFS Institute in 2014. With over a decade of experience as a coach, teacher, and presenter, he helps individuals and practitioners from diverse backgrounds achieve Self-leadership through parts work for personal healing and growth.

His passion for the outdoors started in childhood with Boy Scouts and family backpacking trips, fostering resilience and self-discovery. Today, he enjoys backpacking with his son, embracing the clarity wilderness provides.

Conor created the Self-Led Coaching Academy and Complete Self-Led IFS Program, and runs a popular YouTube channel making IFS accessible to all. He’s dedicated to advancing self-therapy and professional applications of parts work.

APPLY TODAY!

Wilderness Self Discovery

Backpacking Retreat

Reserve your spot by submitting an application and a non-refundable $500 deposit, which will be credited toward your total upon acceptance. At that point, you'll have the choice to pay the balance in full or select our flexible payment plan.

ONLY 10 SPOTS AVAILABLE!

Early Bird Special!

$1975

Available Now until March 15th! Save $475

Payment Plan

$475/m

6 monthly payments

Pay In Full

$2450

Save $400!

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required with your application. If denied, it will be fully refunded; otherwise, it applies to your total balance. Upon acceptance, you'll be prompted to pay the remainder in full or via a payment plan.

PLEASE NOTE: Proof of Medivac Insurance Required. Cost $100+. Learn more in the FAQ.

SECURE MY SPOT

I have never backpacked before. Can I come?

How difficult is the hike / how “in shape” do I need to be?

I have a medical condition. Can I still come?

Do I need to buy any gear?

Do I need to pack my own food?

What’s your refund policy?

What airport would I fly into?

How about getting there and pre-/post retreat lodging?

Do I Need Medevac Insurance for the Retreat?

Yes, all participants are required to obtain medical evacuation (medevac) insurance and provide proof of coverage (e.g., policy confirmation) during the application process. This ensures everyone's safety in the remote Raggeds Wilderness, where access to medical facilities may be limited.

What is medevac insurance?
It covers the cost of emergency transportation—such as air ambulance, helicopter rescue, or medically supervised ground transport—to the nearest appropriate medical facility if you're seriously injured or ill and on-site wilderness care isn't sufficient. It's specifically designed for remote or adventure settings like our backpacking trip.

Why is it important?
Backpacking at high elevations (over 10,000 feet) involves risks like injuries, altitude sickness, or weather-related emergencies. While Colorado's search-and-rescue operations are often free, private evacuations (e.g., helicopters) can cost $50,000–$100,000 or more. Medevac insurance protects you from these massive out-of-pocket expenses, providing peace of mind for a relatively low cost—typically $100–$300 for a 7-day trip.

How do I obtain it?
You can purchase stand-alone medevac policies or ones bundled with travel/medical insurance. Aim for at least $250,000–$500,000 in coverage for evacuation and search-and-rescue. We don't endorse specific providers, but here are some options to research:
- Global Rescue: Focuses on field rescue and medevac to a medical facility or your home hospital. Ideal for remote adventures (no high-altitude add-on needed, as we stay below 15,000 feet).
- Medjet (via GNI/Travel MedEvac): Affordable evacuation-only plans that transport you back to your chosen hospital worldwide.
- Faye Travel Insurance: Includes medevac as part of broader travel coverage (health, trip, and gear protection).

If you need help finding or understanding options, reach out to us at help@internalfamilysystems.org—we're happy to assist! Remember, this is in addition to any personal health insurance you may have.

Embark on Your Path to Inner Clarity and Renewal

Discover the power of wilderness backpacking fused with IFS-inspired coaching in the stunning Raggeds Mountains of Colorado. Led by expert guides, this 7-day retreat offers hands-on hikes, embodiment sessions, music integration, and personalized check-ins to build resilience, foster self-leadership, and unlock profound personal growth. Join a small group for an immersive experience that reconnects you with nature and yourself. Limited spots available—reserve yours today.

Still have questions?

Submit an inquire or email us directly at help@internalfamilysystemsorg.

InternalFamilySystems.org and Internal Family Systems, LLC is not affiliated with the IFS Institute. We offer independent self-therapy and coaching services inspired by the Internal Family Systems model.