Confidence + Connection: Weekend Away

WEEKEND AWAY
Self Defense, Confidence & Connection

Running Springs, California

Real confidence starts where your comfort zone ends.

Our new Self-Defense Weekend in Running Springs isn’t just a getaway—it’s an invitation to step into your power, in the woods, with a circle of women who are ready to do the same.

Picture this: crackling campfires, crisp mountain air, belly laughs with future best friends, and the kind of physical and emotional strength that stays with you long after the weekend ends. This isn’t a luxury retreat—it’s adult summer camp with meaning. Wild, brave, a little messy, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

This weekend is for the women who are done playing small. It’s for building real confidence, learning skills you should’ve been taught years ago, and creating unforgettable memories with a crew of women who are all in—with you, for you.

Trip length:

4 days

Group size

up to 24

Your Hosts

Gloria Marcott, founder of Soul Punch

Real-life superhero, Gloria Marcott is a certified badass with decades of experience in law enforcement. She’s trained with SWAT teams, taught self-defense to thousands of women, and somehow still manages to bring warmth, humor, and heart to every single session.

Gloria doesn’t just teach you how to fight—she teaches you how to own your power. She’s the kind of woman who makes you feel safe, seen, and seriously strong… all while cracking a perfectly timed joke.

Amanda Black, founder of The Solo Female Traveler Network & Kindred

Amanda is a master of curating experiences that bring women together in ways that are real, meaningful, and unforgettable. From global adventures to campfire conversations, she’s built a career on helping women step out of their comfort zones and into connection.

Amanda’s superpower? Creating spaces where strangers become instant friends, vulnerability feels easy, and you walk away feeling more like yourself than ever before.

Imagine...

Waking up in a cabin surrounded by towering trees and mountain mist…

Trading stories around a crackling fire, fueling up with hearty, soul-warming meals, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and learning to throw a punch (or five) with women who are ready to own their space.

All set in the wild beauty of Running Springs—where the stars shine brighter and the air feels cleaner. Soak in the quiet, push past your comfort zone, and find freedom in the forest.

Head back feeling fierce, grounded, and full—carrying new skills, new friendships, and a whole new kind of confidence.

Training, Movement, and Connection in the Mountains

Mornings start slow, with coffee in hand and crisp air in your lungs. After a hearty breakfast, we will get into self-defense training—led by expert instructors from Soul Punch who keep things real, approachable, and actually useful. It’s physical, sure, but it’s also about learning to trust your body and take up space.

Between sessions, you’ll have time to recharge—go for a walk, journal under the trees, or just hang out and talk with other women who came here to feel something real, too.

Meals are casual, hearty, and shared. You won’t find a five-course menu, but you will find food that hits the spot, always eaten in good company.

Evenings are about winding down and leaning in. We’ll gather around the fire, play games, swap stories, and maybe get into a few late-night conversations that go deeper than expected.

It’s simple. It’s honest. And it’s the kind of weekend that reminds you just how good it feels to show up fully—as yourself.

Cool mountain mornings give way to golden afternoons, where crackling fires spark real conversations—and real connections.

The weekend plans

All-inclusive, low-pressure, and full of good energy.

This weekend is structured enough to feel intentional—but chill enough that you can show up exactly as you are. We’ve got everything covered: your meals, your cabin, your coffee, your courage. All you have to do is come ready to move, connect, and maybe surprise yourself.

Day 1

Welcome & "Secret Squirrel"

We kick things off with a warm welcome and a little something we call “Secret Squirrel.” No spoilers, but think of it as a SWAT team-inspired adventure, fine-tuned for us civilians. It’s an empowering, boundary-pushing activity that’ll have you feeling capable and badass right from the start.

We’ll be out in the woods, tapping into our inner strength, and forging connections that feel just as powerful. It’s safe, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to dive into a weekend of growth and camaraderie. Get ready to surprise yourself.

Afterward, we’ll ease into the weekend: unpack, settle into your cabin, and gather around for a casual dinner and connection. You’ll meet the group, exhale a little deeper, and maybe find yourself already laughing with someone you just met. It begins.

Meals: dinner

Day 2

Self Defense, Ropes Course & Bonfire

Morning
Wake up to hot coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and good vibes all around. Then we’re jumping into our self-defense workshop—where you’ll learn legit, real-world moves in a space that’s all about support, not pressure. We’ll warm up, throw a few punches (the fun kind), and leave that session feeling like, “Okay yeah… I can do hard things.”

Afternoon
Refuel with a casual lunch and then it’s time to channel your inner warrior a challenge course. You’ll head into the woods alone… but you won’t stay that way. Along the path, you’ll face real-world barriers designed to stretch you — mentally, emotionally, and physically. From solo reflection checkpoints to weighted dummy drags and team-dependent hurdles, this course will confront the stories you’ve been telling yourself about what you can’t do — and help you rewrite them with fire. Some obstacles you’ll conquer on your own. Some you’ll only overcome with your sisters. All of them are intentionally designed to challenge women of every size, age, background, and fitness level. Because every step is about more than getting to the other side. It’s about realizing you’ve had the power all along — and you’re never walking alone.

Evening
Dinner’s on deck—comfort food, shared plates, and chill conversation. Then we roll right into campfire magic: s’mores, games, and that kind of laughter that makes your cheeks hurt. Whether you’re a Cards Against Humanity queen or more of a deep convo by the fire kind of gal, this is your night to unwind, connect, and soak in the mountain night air.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3

Paintball, Survivor Skills & Gamenight

Morning
We’re kicking off the day with something you probably didn’t expect when you signed up—paintball. But this isn’t just running around with a marker gun. This is self-defense in motion, taught by the Soul Punch team in a high-energy, low-pressure setting that’s way more fun than gym class ever was.

You’ll learn to move, respond, and stay sharp—all while ducking behind trees and laughing like a maniac. Trust us, it’s empowering as hell. And you’ll leave with more than a few stories to tell.

Afternoon
After lunch, it’s time to get a little wild—in the best way. Our survival skills workshop will teach you practical tools for staying calm and capable when the unexpected hits. From fire-building to mindset training, this is where inner strength meets outdoor know-how. It’s hands-on, confidence-building, and surprisingly fun.

Evening
Dinner rolls in with that perfect end-of-camp energy: warm food, good music, and the vibe of “we really did that.” Then we turn the night loose with game night—but not your average party games. Think mystery, collaboration, surprise twists, and maybe a little chaos (the fun kind).

We’ll wrap it up the way every epic camp night should end—under the stars, wrapped in blankets, swapping stories, and staring up at the sky like we just cracked open the whole universe.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4

Farewell for now

We’ll start the morning with breakfast, coffee, and a little time to soak in the last bits of mountain magic. There’ll be space for hugs, reflection, and one final moment of connection with the women who now feel like old friends.

Whether you’re heading back to the city or onto your next adventure, you’ll leave with more than just new skills. You’ll carry a new kind of confidence, a few inside jokes, and the kind of glow that only comes from doing something brave and unforgettable.

Check out by late morning—but the energy you’re leaving with? That stays with you.

Meals: breakfast

Who is this for?

This weekend is for any woman who wants to feel more powerful, connected, and confident in her own skin.

You don’t need to be “outdoorsy.” You don’t need to be “in shape.” You don’t need to have any training or experience. You just need to show up—exactly as you are.

Every part of this weekend is designed to meet you where you’re at. The workshops are beginner-friendly, the challenges are designed for everyone, and the entire experience is grounded in support, not pressure.

Whether you’re in your 20s or 70s, nervous or excited, stepping out of your comfort zone or in your element—you belong here. This is about learning to trust your body, your instincts, and the women around you. It’s about showing up, surprising yourself, and walking away feeling like you’ve got this.

Because you do. Just as you are.

Cozy Cabins in The Woods

Stay at Pali Retreats

Think adult summer camp vibes—comfy cabins tucked in the trees, warm showers, and just enough comfort to let you truly relax (without hauling your life in a backpack).

You’ll wake up to the scent of pine, share morning coffee with your cabinmates, and fall asleep feeling safe, grounded, and maybe a little nostalgic for simpler times. These cabins bring us together—with just the right balance of privacy and community to make late-night chats, shared snacks, and fireside bonding feel natural.

No tents. No stress. Just your own cozy corner in the forest, surrounded by women who came here for the same reason you did—to feel braver, freer, and more you.

What Our Travelers Have To Say

Carol showed up to our last Weekend Away a little nervous—but totally ready to say yes to herself. She came solo, not knowing anyone, and left with deep connections. We couldn’t be more inspired by the way she leaned all the way in. Here’s what she had to say.

Alex flew in solo from Peru to join our last Weekend Away—and from the moment she arrived, she brought such warmth and curiosity. She came looking for an adventure, and left with so much more. We’re so honored she was part of it. Here’s what she had to say.

Dates & Prices

Prices listed in USD

Your payment in full is due upon booking. There are no transfers to other trips or refunds on Weekends Away. However if you can’t make it, you can transfer your spot to someone else, whether you gift it to your sister or sell it to a friend, we don’t mind.

Friday, September 12 to Monday September 15

$2,200 per person

$1,495 per person

Snag your spot now—this special price is only for the first 10 women to book!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WHAT ARE THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS?

Arrival: Check in is at 5pm, and we ask that everyone plan to arrive on time. The nearest airport is Ontario, California and is about 45 minutes away. The airport transfer is not included, but we connect everyone before the trip to coordinate carpools.

Departure: Check out is at 10am on the last day.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

3 breakfasts, 2 lunch, and 3 dinners
3 nights accommodation at Pali Retreat Center in bunk beds/shared rooms in a private cabin.
Challenge Course in the woods & paintball
Workshops in self defense & survival skills
“Secret squirrel” activity
a community of like-minded women
firewood, games
24 hour hosts for the whole weekend

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

Airfares and transportation
Visa fees if applicable
Travel insurance (recommended)
Airport transfers

PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY

Payment in full is due upon booking
No refunds or transfers to other tours.
You can transfer your spot to another person.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended. See our guide for help choosing a plan.

Confidence + Connection: Weekend Away

WEEKEND AWAY
Self Defense, Confidence & Connection

Running Springs, California

Real confidence starts where your comfort zone ends.