To save your space on a course, we require a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. If you have to cancel, there’s a chance we can defer your deposit to another course, if we can fill your space with another participant. Planning a trip through the backcountry or down the river requires intensive planning and non-refundable costs on our end. The closer we get to the start of the course, the more our financial investment increases for each person who is registered. If you have to withdraw from a course, we are unlikely to recoup our investment, and we cannot, therefore, refund your payments past a certain date. While we would love to be able to issue refunds, we are a tiny company and our investment in each of our participants is too significant to do so. Please check (and double-check) your own calendar for conflicts before registering. Please see our payment + refund policies page and the program page for specific dates and details. Call or email us to discuss your circumstances or concerns before you register; we’re happy to chat it out with you.

Each course will encounter climates and weather patterns unique to the region and landscape. We recommend using a reliable weather app like NOAA or Accuweather to search for historical weather data, and to check the forecast for the dates of your course, keeping in mind all the while that weather is, ultimately, unpredictable. Freeflow courses do not cancel for storms, winds, high water, smoke, or other forms of inclement weather. We do reserve the right to cancel courses due to active fires, floods, or other extreme or dangerous weather events. Be prepared for the worst; hope for the best.

We strive to create complex and diverse cohorts composed of  representatives from various age groups, socioeconomic strata, cultures, and backgrounds. We value the breadth of experience and perspective that emerges from a heterogenous group. While this complexity may be challenging for some, we encourage thoughtful, respectful dialog that transcends differences. Some of our participants take Freeflow courses for university or college credit, professional development, or continuing education credits. Our participants are educators, students, doctors, lawyers, artists, non-profit workers, communicators, athletes, entrepreneurs, journalists, creators, activists, mentors, leaders, change-makers, innovators, observers, and curious learners. 

There are only a few medical conditions that we cannot accommodate. We would be very happy to discuss your concerns or questions on the phone or via email. We ask that you disclose on your registration form (and again soon before your start date, as an update) your medications, medical or psychological conditions, as well as whether or not you have a heart condition. The reason we ask these things is to help our staff keep you safe and healthy in the backcountry. If something were to happen to you in the field, we need to know your medical history and medications in order to provide the best possible care.

While we love our furry friends and would bring them with us everywhere if we could, dogs are not allowed on most Freeflow programs. Dogs can be distracting or emotionally triggering for some participants – not to mention the issue of allergies. Often, too, dogs are prohibited in the places we go. To keep everyone safe and happy, we ask that you please leave your critters at home.

That’s fine by us! We love bringing first-timers into the backcountry! We just ask that you prepare physically and mentally for your course. Each course presents unique physical and environmental challenges, and we will send you a “training program” to help you feel good before you head into the field. We also love to answer your questions, so never hesitate to reach out if something comes up. Nothing’s off limits, so fire away.

Perfect! Part of our work is to help you see that you are a writer. Just by showing up to the course, by reading the material and engaging in discussion, and by being brave enough to try, you are taking steps toward building your life as a writer. Our cohorts are supportive and inclusive, and it’s guaranteed that someone else in the group feels just as doubtful / anxious / nervous as you do. The community you build on your Freeflow course is an antidote to imposter syndrome and self-doubt.

We would love to partner with you! We are always hoping to find new educational, industry, and outfitting partners with aligned priorities and values. Just give us a shout at [email protected] and tell us what’s on your mind.

Freeflow has been a collaborative endeavor from the start, and we are grateful for our generous, supportive community. Right now we are most concerned with the following objectives and priorities. If you or someone you know can help us reach our goals, please do get in touch!

The Freeflow Foundation, our partner 501c3, prioritizes the following: 

• Grow our Community Scholarship Fund to make Freeflow courses available and accessible to more people, from more communities and regardless of economic status.
• Expand our participant support systems to include a mentorship program, a comprehensive gear lending library, and a travel fund to help subsidize the cost of traveling to and from courses.