"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

"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, Kings Flowfest, 2007

Complete your time at NCDC Dance Camp* with a Splash ~* ~*
Kings River Flowfest ~
Join us on Sunday, June 22nd, stay through Tuesday, the 24th ...

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After the noon-time closing circle on camp's final day, join the caravan that heads down to the Kings River, under two hours from camp, in the general direction of LA or SF. Many in our community have included a post-camp trip to the Kings River with "Gail, the RiverGuidess" since NCDC's first summer at Camp Hye Sierra. Extend the camp-induced bliss a few extra days and join them ... This opportunity is not to be missed!

Singles, couples, families ... rafters & non-rafters are all welcome at our drive-in basecamp at the river's edge. This "rafting-optional river trip" is an adventure in community and creative expression, self-renewal, transformation ... and FUN!

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 nourishing, organic, vegetarian delights (a combination of cooked & raw) ... lovingly prepared and served by Lydia — of Lydia's Lovin' Foods — plus comfortable, 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. We'll tell stories, play music, and sing around the fire deep into the night ...

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 cool river throughout the day.

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 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. Bring your talents, poems, stories, instruments, drums, games and flow toys (PLUS that book you've been meaning to read all week!). 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 experience with community in this extraordinary natural paradise.

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Were that not enough ... our lovely River Goddesses will extend their sweet offerings ...

• 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.

(*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 ...)

• Sacred Flutes, Chanting and Breathwork ... with Dana ~Dharma Devi~ 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 has also led groups in Clarity Breathwork for many years, a deep and powerful spiritual practice that clears old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. As our breath becomes attuned to the rhythms of the river, we will remember that we are already whole.

• Sculptural Movement ... with Lisa Alpine
Inspired by the tall trees, whispering winds and flowing river, Lisa will lead us into the artistic relationship of Sculptural Movement — an interactive artistic dance with nature as our muse. Having taught dance as a healing art form for over 16 years, Lisa loves to share with others the delight, high level of joy and recognition that we are all dancers in our core, in motion till we die. She encourages her students to see themselves as art — as the sculpture — not separate from it, by having them feel from the inside-out the shapes they are creating as they dance. This develops a refined aesthetic sense of beauty in the dancer's awareness, not only of their own artfullness but also the constantly changing shapes around them, particularly while in nature.

• Sacred Flow Yoga ... with Sarah Mangion
Join Sarah in this all-levels slow flow class designed to stretch, strengthen and reconnect your spirit back to its source. Sarah's training in traditional hatha and anusara-influenced flow is synthesized with awakening the mind to the sacred through each breath. Starting off slow with a meditation, chanting, or pranayama, and working up to yummy flow sequences, splashed with rose-petaled thoughts. The class then comes to the ground with inversions, bridge work and yummy restorative poses. Sarah incorporates a fun atmosphere in her Hatha/Vinyasa (flow) style class, modifying poses and designing classes for all levels of students. Treat yourself to the inherent divine healing of yoga's true magic. As we practice alongside the river, we'll align ourselves with the Sacred Flow ...

• Village Drum Circle ... with Renee Benmeleh
Renée is a registered Music Together teacher who came to the U.S. from Venezuela in 1980. She graduated from the Mills College Music Department in 2000, focusing on vocal performance, composition, and drumming in the African, Afro-Brazilian, Brazilian Bateria, and North African styles. She has more recently trained with Arthur Hull in Drum Circle Facilitation, a non-culturally specific model for creating rhythmic community inclusive of all levels of musicality. Get an “in the moment” experience of your own rhythmical spirit and power. Bring your favorite drum, rattle, or other percussion instrument — Renee will bring a few extra to share — and pick up some new rhythms by the river!

• Ambient Sunshade Cabana Lounge ... designed by Jane Heaven
Multi-media artist, radio producer/host (of KPFA's monthly "Sunday Night Live"), large-scale Burning Man shade artist, set designer and percussionist ... Jane brings it all to life ... in full technicolor!

Gail, the RiverGuidess

Nina Lakshmi Devi


Dana Dharma Devi DeLong


Lisa Alpine, DanceWeaver

Sarah Mangion


Renee Benmeleh

Jane Heaven

Cost: $180 (for land-only; add $95 if rafting on Monday ... for a total of $275)

Includes SIX nourishing, organic meals (Sunday dinner thru Tuesday lunch), plus all activities ... AND non-activities!

Total enrollment is limited to 40 participants, so register early, as these spaces will go fast ...

Kids' land-only prices: (for one child per paying adult): Free for ages 5 and under ~ Half-price for ages 6-12 ~ Ages 13 and up same as adult prices.
Minimum age for rafting is eleven, and Zephyr requires kids of ALL ages to be comfortable in the water.
Children must be supervised at all times, whether on or off the river, as the current may be swift at this time.
All participants will be required to sign a liability release waiver by both Zephyr Rafting Co and The River Guidess.

Register for this trip directly through Gail ~ the RiverGuidess~ at 415-312-3112 or by email.

Make payment through PayPal, or save the 3% fee by sending a check to:
Gail Orchier, 54 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901.

Upon registration, you will receive more details, a list of what to bring, etc.
(Be sure to provide Gail with your contact info, and inform her of any special dietary or medical restrictions when registering.)

Travel Info: The Kings is under 2 hours from Dance Camp (in the general direction of SF or LA). 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.

There is a safe, convenient place to drop off extra cars en route, and carpool the rest of the way in. Directions and details will be provided upon registration.

Questions or concerns? Contact Gail ~ the RiverGuidess ~ at 415-312-3112 or click to email ...
Can't make this one? Send an email to receive announcements of future trips ... and say that NCDC sent you!