"The evening I spent listening to the river, soaking in the beautiful crescent moon and planets in the ‘v’ of the canyon, was one of the most peaceful evenings of my life. And I got to experience this within an incredibly creative, fun, and safe group container. I wanted to do ‘nothing’ and did exactly that, shedding tons of overwhelm and overload in the process.  The sense of relief stayed with me long after my return.

I am so grateful for the way you organized the camp and our trip together, and happy that I joined you on this journey." — Genie O., Novato

(See info below for 2009 trip; details for June 25-29, 2010 to be confirmed.)

Relax & renew ... sing, dance & play ... meditate & CELEBRATE ... at the 13th annual
Kings River Flowfest
June 26-30, 2009 ( Friday thru Tuesday ... Come for all, or just for part of it! )

~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
Kick off your summer with a warm, fun-loving, creative, conscious community in this wilderness paradise, just 90 minutes east of (yet worlds away from) Fresno, California, in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. Singles, couples, families ... rafters & non-rafters all welcome. This "rafting-optional river trip" is an adventure in community and creative expression, self-renewal, transformation ... and FUN!

For 5 days & 4 nights, we'll live in harmonious community along the river's edge. As Flowfest veterans will tell you ... Once you settle in, you'll never want to leave. So clear your calendar and take the plunge for the full stay!

Spend quality time with friends old and new, as well as several exceptional Bay Area teachers, artists, musicians and healers (listed below). Immersed in the energy of the river — and through their beautiful offerings — we'll soar to new heights of both inner and outer flow!

Enjoy secluded and spacious riverside camping beneath a crystal clear, star-filled sky (sleep in your tent or out on a tarp for stargazing), and warm summer nights around the fire with a creative, spirited community. And since our closest neighbors are WAY down river, we can play music and sing around the fire until the whales come home!

Unlike the Bay Area, summer at the Kings feels like summer, with arid air temperatures ranging from the upper-80's to the
low-100's. Whether rafting or resting ... you'll feel refreshed, awake and alive as you dip in and out of the brisk river throughout the day ...

Easily accessible from either Northern or Southern California, this is a convenient location to meet up with friends and family you don't see often enough ... Leave home on Friday morning to have plenty of time to set up your campsite during daylight hours, take a swim, then relax before a scrumptious dinner.

And, speaking of dinner ...
We are quite blessed to have this retreat catered by raw/vegan chef Elaina Love — owner/director of Pure Joy Planet — as she is highly sought after by organizers of retreats, spas and festivals around the globe! Elaina will be serving a variety of both raw and cooked delights that will satisfy all tastes and appetites, from light to hearty. You will be amazed at how delicious her food is, and how fantastic you will feel after eating it!

Ready for whitewater fun and excitement?
Originating high in the mountains of central California near Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park, the Kings boasts the largest watershed of any river in the Sierra Nevada range. Un-dammed and un-spoiled, it truly is one of the most scenic rivers in the West, and provides for an excellent whitewater experience. A big-water, yet non-technical river, the rafting here is suitable for both the first timer and the advanced rafter. Based a few miles down the river, the Zephyr Whitewater Rafting Co. will provide our on-river experience. Take a 10-mile journey down the river with Zephyr ... on Saturday and/or Monday (at additional cost, below).

Prefer to remain on the shore?
Catch up on your reading, sleep, meditate, hike, hang out with friends, or just sit beneath the bodhi tree and watch the flow go by. Spend quality time with community in this extraordinary natural paradise, and you're sure to return home a very happy camper ...

Want to spend more time in this beautiful area of California?
For the last 9 years, many folks from the nearby NCDC Summer Dance Camp have completed their camp experience with a splash at the Kings! While NCDC calls it a "dance camp" ... it's more like an expressive arts "fun camp" ... with a multitude of classes in various forms of dance, drumming, yoga, great food (prepared by former Esalen chefs) ... and so much more. Singles, couples and kids are welcome here too!

Create your own vacation flow! With dance camp spanning 9 days from June 19-28, you could attend for 4 OR 7 days (thru Friday, 6/26, then to the river thru Sunday OR Tuesday) OR if you're a committed Dance Camper staying till the end (thru Sunday, 6/28), then join us at the river from Sunday (6/28) thru Tuesday (6/30).

Another option is a side-trip to Kings Canyon/ Sequoia National Park ... to commune with the largest trees on earth! The entrance to the park is under 2 hours from our place at the river, and just a few miles up the road from dance camp ...

(Send an email message to get on the list for future announcements from NCDC, the Northern California Dance Collective, whether or not you attend Summer Camp this time around. They offer lots of other great events throughout the year, including a weekend winter camp in northern California. Please be sure to tell 'em that "the River Guidess" sent you ;-) .....

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Bring your talents, poems, stories, instruments, drums, games and flow toys to the River ... PLUS that book you've been meaning to read ... Participate in group activities, or sleep the day away ... The evenings are a time to gather around the fire, or just sit quietly beside the river gazing at the stars.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Deepen your flow thru these sweet offerings ~
(the facilitators listed here are confirmed; stay tuned for more ...)

Sacred Flutes, Chanting, and Breathwork ~ with Dana ~DharmaDevi~ DeLong
Known for her warmth and compassion, Dana has been leading groups to sacred places around the planet since 1984, from Bali to India, to Maui. She is an international recording artist whose devotion to ancient chants is uplifting, and her flute playing opens the heart. Dana is the co-founder of Clarity Breathwork, a deep and powerful spiritual practice that clears old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. For over 24 years, she has offered this work to groups and through private sessions. As our breath becomes attuned to the rhythms of the river, we will remember that we are already whole. To learn more, visit www.clarity.org and www.claritybreathwork.com

Kirtan,* Sound Healing, and Sweet Songs of Devotion ~ with Nina Lakshmi Devi
Lakshmi is an inspired musician/singer/songwriter who delves into life as a mystical exploration full of passionate expression. A well-loved presence at music festivals up and down the west coast, Lakshmi holds performing as a ritual and an opportunity for the mysterious power of music to be invited in and move all who are present. Beside the river, we'll breathe, sing and relax ... and become uplifted through our pure devotion and the song in our hearts. Lakshmi will offer Kirtan, a sound healing circle, private vocal journeys, and Quan Yin Massage. Hear some original songs from her CD — Raise a Holy Fire — at myspace.com/lakshmidevi.

(*Kirtan is a form of call and response chanting in the Indian devotional trandition — indusive of trance — bringing one to deep stillness, to blissful ecstatic states, and to a profound sense of onesness with All ...)

Dancing Freedom & Peacebody Yoga ~ with Samantha Sweetwater
Dancing Freedom ~ We dance Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether in a practice of living oneness. Traveling this elemental wave, we discover the perfect wisdom held within Body, Heart, Soul and Spirit, embracing aspects of ourselves that have been disowned, repressed or otherwise silenced.  We practice loving what IS, that we may bring our true gifts to the
feast of life.

Peacebody Yoga ~ Breathe. Invite a wise heart, a joy filled body, and a diamond mind.  Practicing together, we give ourselves to the sacred waters of loving awareness, that peace may flower within.  PeaceBody Yoga integrates strength and surrender, movement and stillness, power and gentleness. Awaken to the simple possibility of self-love and connectedness, one flowing movement at a time. Here beside the river, bodies and beings of all levels of ability are invited into the grace that arrives when we let go into the flow of life.

Samantha Sweetwater has traveled the world for 16 years, sharing dance, yoga, meditation, energy healing and soul empowerment with every-day people. She invites the integral wisdom of body, mind, heart and spirit through soul-centric ceremonies, workshops, trainings, speaking engagements, and coaching and healing sessions offered nationally and internationally. She is developing a community of trained facilitators to spread the way of embodied awakening to communities around the world. Read more at  www.dancingfreedom.com

Village Drum Circle ~ with Renee Benmeleh
Renee has been having a love affair with music forever. She's been singing since childhood, and drumming for 10 years. She is a trained drum circle facilitator in the spirit of Village Music Circles (www.drumcircle.com). Her heart's desire is to share the joy that music generates with her world community. Drawing from the roots of her multi-cultural musical background, Renee will lead us into the world of facilitated rhythmic play! Come...the heartbeat of the drum is calling, the song of your heart is yearning. Let's create community and dance with spirit, invigorate, and joyfully musicate! Bring your favorite drum -- or use one of Renee’s -- and pick up some new rhythms by the river!

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
"The Kings River Flowfest was the icing on the cake after an incredible week at Dance Camp! I felt so fulfilled, with music, wild water, sweet friends ... sharing wonderful food, deep introspection, and blissful harmony ..."
— Marci J., Los Angeles, Kings Flowfest, 2006
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Elaina Love
of Pure Joy Planet

Dana ~Dharma Devi~ DeLong

Nina Lakshmi Devi

Samantha Sweetwater

Renee Benmeleh

Options and Costs
Payment can be made through PayPal on this site (click in registration box below). Send a check to save the 3% PayPal surcharge.
A minimum $100 deposit will hold your space, with the balance due by June 1st. See cancellation policy below.

Add $40 to the prices listed below for reservations made AFTER June 15th.

Click here to complete the registration process, and for a list of what to bring.
(This popular, annual trip is limited to 45 participants, and will fill fast ... so don't wait too long ...)

Cancellation Policy

For Land-only: Cancellations received by June 12th will be fully refunded, less $50. Cancellations received by June 18th will be refunded 50%.
Cancellations received after June 18th (including no-shows) will not be refunded.

For Rafting: Payments are transferable, but not refundable, as per Zephyr's cancellation policy.

TRAVEL INFO:

Van transportation is available, departing from San Anselmo on Friday morning and return there on Tuesday evening.
Save gas and wear & tear on your vehicle by leaving the driving to us! You'll make new friends, and the time will fly by ...
Per person fee of just $50 covers van rental and round-trip fuel costs. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Leave your car in Marin until our return.

Driving on your own? The Kings is about 5 hours from either SF or LA, 1.5 - 2 hours east of Fresno, under 2 hours from Dance Camp (in the
general direction of home). Carpooling is encouraged and will be facilitated by request.

Please contact me if you have a bus or van (bio-fuel and hybrid vehicles are encouraged) and can offer space for cargo and/or riders. Vehicles should be in good condition, with air conditioning and reasonable ground clearance (sports cars NOT advised), as the last few miles to our campsite is along a bumpy, unpaved river road. See Zephyr's page for general directions and map of the area. However, we are not staying at Zephyr's campsite ... Ours is further up-river and is unmarked, so be sure to receive specific directions (with mileage prompts) before attempting to find us.

Please contact me with your questions and concerns ... Send an email or call Gail at 415-312-3112.
Please read through this page one last time for updates just prior to registering for this trip ...