Puzzle and game nerds, buckle up. We've been dreaming up a weekend so full of play, it'll blow that rubik's cube out your hand. Join us and the Rook Room for a weekend full of gaming — including guided and free play of nature themed board games, an exclusively designed (by the Rook Room!) game/hike combo out in nature and a custom Wander Women puzzle to take home for keepsies. All of this tucked in the coziest cabin in all of Iowa at Whiterock Conservancy, a private nature preserve an hour west of Des Moines.

This weekend will be an amazing time to relax and lean into the slow pace of nature, while playing with new friends (and foes?) We encourage participants to bring their own favorite games to share and to get amped for learning new games and activities with the group!

About the Rook Room

The Rook Room is an event series and pop-up board game bar in Des Moines, Iowa. They host regular open play nights with their library of games, and tournaments of all kinds (cribbage, euchre, puzzlepaloozas and more!) They also sell games and puzzles designed by local artists. We love them!

- GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION -

What can I expect from a Wander Women trip?

Wander Women trips are designed to be restorative and relaxing, full of connection and knowledge building. Our winter trips inspire folks to get out during the coldest season and enjoy nature’s quiet beauty, and allow plenty of personal time to relax, read, talk around the kitchen table and drink so much tea. Nights are spent around the campfire sharing in storytelling, often digging deep into ourselves and our place in nature.

Please know that to us, there’s no right way to wander. We ask that you come as you are — you don’t need to have the gear, the knowledge or anyone else with you to make this trip great. We grant participants and ourselves the right to be imperfect or nervous, and encourage a “challenge by choice” mentality — letting you decide when you’ll step outside your comfort zone, knowing it’s often rewarding when you do. By the end of the weekend, we want you to feel confident in newfound skills, your place in the outdoors and your part in this community. That’s what these trips are all about!