Info

About Cowgirl Camp:

"Living at Little Wing Hollow and spending lots of time wandering around in the woods, experiencing the natural world, has improved my life and encouraged healing in so many ways I can't even begin to list them. The quiet healing rhythm of nature is medicine to me. I want to share this magic with you and encourage you to incorporate it into your life as often as possible by creating events that give you tools for outdoor survival, healing self-care, and sustainability so we will always have sacred green spaces for healing."

Cowgirl Camp was created by Anessa Arehart to provide adult women a friendly place where they can immerse themselves in the healing world of nature, practice outdoor living skills, expand knowledge, build confidence, and make new friends for future adventures. Teenage and preteen girls are also welcome to join the fun if they are interested in learning and are supervised by an adult. The majority of Cowgirls in attendance are women ages 30-70.

Little Wing Hollow isn't a fancy place. It is rustic and charming. Sometimes it's magical, especially when the stars come out at night. Chaplin River hugs the bottom driveway for about a mile, there's a big hill for gazing at the rolling landscape, and lots of enchanting wildlife can be observed in the forest if you're quiet and patient. Recently expanded walking trails adjoin a developing art trail and invite you to take a little respite in the woods. The guest cottage, formerly Anessa's art studio, is close to completion and serves Cowgirl Camp's Clubhouse. Plans are to list it on HipCamp this year for quiet weekend getaways, small retreats, and girls trip rentals. You can currently book Little Wing's tent camping open spaces through HipCamp.

According to Anessa and her husband Beau there are still many projects to be done at Little Wing, but it's easy to overlook the rough edges and get busy having fun, learning, meeting new people, and making great memories. Their mission strives to help people from all walks of life through nature immersion experiences and they welcome visitors often with educational events, as well as offering seasonal kayak and canoe rentals from their front yard.

About the weekend:

Cowgirl Camp participants are welcome to come out ahead of time and explore the property but please make an appointment before visiting. You can see photos of past events on the Cowgirl Camp Facebook page or Instagram account: /cowgirlcampky There are also about 2500 photos of the farm (yes, really!) on Instagram at /littlewinghollow

Arrivals are allowed after 3pm on Friday, June 21st. Please visit the check-in table on the big hill. This is also where you'll sign up to reserve materials for Jessica's Crystal Class and Beau's PVS Archery Bow Making class. (You can still attend both of these classes if you don't sign up but there are limited supplies.)

A live sunset solo musical performance by Kathleen Hoye of Louisville, KY and bonfire kick off the festivities on Friday night and classes begin early Saturday morning. Classes are on Saturday and Sunday. There is a catered dinner on Saturday night followed by a second musical performance by Natalie Felker of The Fervor of Louisville, KY, and another bonfire following. A simple oatmeal buffet is offered on Sunday morning at 8am with classes following. The event officially ends Sunday about 5pm.

Note: Saturday and Sunday morning check-ins are allowed. Please be respectful of 9am morning meditative classes that may be in session during your arrival.

Where to Camp:

You will receive a hand drawn map of our property and a class schedule brochure at check-in. It will be posted here as well...as soon as it's updated.

Bottom driveway camping spots:
1.) The main camping site is Frisbee Field, located along the bottom driveway next to the water. It is the first area you'll see coming in the bottom driveway and is on both the right and left side. If you camp here you can park your car right next to your tent (in most cases.)

2.) There are also spots on top of Star Temple Hill (also called 11 Acre Hill). It is at the end of the bottom driveway, behind the barn, up the hill, across from our house.

3.) A brand new remote camping area has been created where Johnson Creek and the Chaplin River meet called The Point. You cannot drive to it unless you are in a 4WD Jeep or similar. To get there, park on top of Star Temple Hill, walk down the hill to Johnson Creek and hang a right until you see the Chaplin River.

Top driveway camping spots:
The previous site is now a horse pasture but we still have a handful of spots on top of the hill on either side of the top driveway. This seems to be a popular area when we host events as it is close to most of the action. Hammock camping spots are are plentiful. If you camp up here, be aware that folks sometimes hang out laughing and having a good time around the fire until the wee hours.

Please note: The "bottom driveway" is located below our 1450 Johnson Road mailbox . The "top driveway" is up the hill across from a mailbox reading 1409. There will be red signs at the end of each.

Frequently asked questions:

What about food?
Registration covers a healthy, locally sourced, Saturday night dinner by Judy Gurnee Catering and a simple Oatmeal Buffet on Sunday morning before classes begin, but you are responsible for your food for the rest of the weekend. Mandy's coffee truck often has food items available for purchase in addition to her delicious smoothies and coffee drinks. We have a charcoal grill and a gas grill you are welcome to use, or you can bring a small camp stove set up.
If you have dietary restrictions such as vegan, gluten, etc., be sure to let us know on the registration page. Judy always does her best to have something available for everyone. There is a Kroger about 15 minutes away in Harrodsburg if you forget something important.

What if I don't want to take any classes?
You don't have to take any classes if you don't want to. You can come hang up your hammock and nap all weekend if that's what you need to do. Or sign out a kayak and do some paddling, or poke around in the woods and take some nature photos. It's really up to you. The registration fee covers your class fees whether you take several or none. Your fee also includes Saturday night's farm-to-fork, sustainable dinner. If you decide you need coffee, a fresh organic smoothie, some reiki, a chakra alignment, or something else from one of the fun vendor booths, you'll need to stick a little spare cash in your fanny pack to treat yourself.

Will my car be able to handle the terrain?
Most cars can make it down both of our driveways. If you have a 4WD it is the better choice as you'll have access to more camping areas. If you have a 2WD car be cautious about where you park so you don't get stuck. If you're able to carpool with another camper, please do as parking is limited in some areas.

What's the bathroom situation?
This year there will be 4 porta-potties. 2 on top of the hill and 2 by Frisbee Field. We also have a composting toilet outhouse at the bottom of the hill by the river. You are also welcome to pee in the woods. If you poop in the woods please be courteous, bury it in a little hole and dispose of toilet paper properly.

Can kids come?
Cowgirl Camp was designed with women in mind, but not for kids. Teenage and preteen girls are welcome if interested in learning and if they are supervised. If you know a young lady that you'd like to invite but you're not certain if she's old enough, just ask.

Can I bring my dog?
No. So very sorry about this one. We LOVE dogs, but it's really not a good idea from many reasons. You are more than welcome to bring your (well behaved) dog with you when you visit us another time.

I've never put up a tent, what if I need help?
You can always ask the other campers for help if you are having trouble. It's super friendly here and everyone is learning together.
Here are some handy tips:
1) Bring a waterproof tarp to put under your tent. Don't let it extend past the edges of your tent as it will catch water. You may be tempted to ditch the rainfly. Don't. We almost always have at least one rain shower per event.
2.) Do a test run set-up of your tent in your living room. Make sure all the parts are there and read the instructions.
3.) Consider buying a cheap pop-up tailgating canopy for shade. You can put it in front of your tent or over top of it. Add couple of chairs and a cooler and you've got home sweet home. Don't forget to invite the new neighbors over for a drink.
4.) Take a good look around before you start setting up. Look for a flat spot. Do not set up your tent under tree branches that can injure you if they fall.
5.) Use your pop-up canopy for shade and hanging out and camp in open areas.
6.) Don't leave food out overnight unless you want to feed the wildlife.

Can I spend the night in a hotel?
Yes, but that's not very cowgirly of you. Totally kidding. If you don't want to spend the night that is okay. There are several AirBnbs in town and the Beaumont Inn is really nice.

Where are electrical outlets located?
We have outlets on the front porch you can use to charge phones and such. The majority of your weekend will be off-grid, though.

Are there snakes out there?
Yes, but you probably won't see any. They're usually getting the heck outta the way when they hear people coming. If you do see a snake, 90% chance it is one of the following; little garden snake sunning itself on a rock, black rat snake that eats mice (not cowgirls), or a northern water snake. All are harmless. I have lived here 6 years and I have seen less than 20 snakes total...and I am outside in the woods almost every day.

Can we bring alcohol?
Yes. Just be smart and respectful of your neighbors that might not want to hear "Every Rose Has its Thorn" sung to the night sky at 3am. No kayaking/canoeing while intoxicated.

What kind of clothes should I pack?
These are suggestions only:
Tank tops or loose breathable t-shirts.
Summer hat with brim for shade.
Bandanas are nice to have on hand.
Fanny packs are great for cash, phone/camera, tiny notebook and pen.
Lightweight pants or leggings are if you're going in the woods to protect you from poison ivy.
Boots or tennis shoes for hiking. Sports sandals for hanging out.
Extra undies and maybe a bathing suit.
A hoodie for night time. It gets cooler than you might think.
Beach towel for yoga and meditation classes, and a spare towel for kayaking and our fancy garden hose shower house.

How bad are the ticks and mosquitos?
Sometimes it is an issue, and other times it's not bad at all, but you should wear bug spray of some sort.
Organic and natural sprays seem to work just as well as toxic ones in my opinion, but use what works best for you.
Ticks are part of life out here and they seem to like some people more than others.
Personally, I've only had a few tick bites in 6 years. (Beau says it is because I am bitter. Isn't he hilarious?)
I use peppermint oil on my boots and socks and behind my ears mostly, but sometimes I use Deep Woods OFF.

What if I get hurt?
We have basic first aid services provided by Marines Justin & Jeni Crone. (Jeni being a trained Combat Medical Specialist.) Also, Beau is a Firefighter and First Responder with EMT training. We have a fire radio here on the property in case of an emergency. Otherwise, as the waiver states, you are participating absolutely at your own risk and you assume all liability and full responsibility for your own well being and safety, and of any minors in your party, once you arrive at Little Wing Hollow. If you have any medical issues we need to know about, please alert us during registration.