About our events

Free participation

We do outdoor hikes, paddling-tours and camps (retreats). You are welcome to join. We don't ask for a fee. You can give donations for the organization, but you are also welcome if you participate and don't donate. But you mostly need some money during the event for buying food.

The challenges

We sleep outside, we often walk small paths far from civilization, and we eat only raw food.

Equipment: To make it easier for you, I suggest taking as little luggage as possible. You will probably be surprised how little stuff you can hike with and how good and light it feels. Think of the risk of foot blisters: You should have used your shoes/sandals a few times. See Equipment.

Is it dangerous?

Well, sometimes we like our little adventures. Then it's up to you to say that you don't want to do it because you don't feel safe. And of course, the Emergency Medical Services will not be as quick in the high mountains as in a town. On the other hand I would say, it might be more dangerous to live a lifestyle like most people do. Because this lifestyle can cause health problems. And our events can show the way to a more healthy lifestyle. So, we could say it's more dangerous not to participate in our events...

Animal attacks

Dogs: Pause and ignore the dog (don't look to him). If he approaches nevertheless and looks aggressively, try to impress and displace him with decided commands.

Boars: Stand up, keep quiet and go away slowly. Normally boars are afraid of humans, only if there are young boars, an attack is possible.

Scorpiones could bite in seldom cases at hot summer days in South Spain - in areas with scorpions check your clothes, shoes and sleeping bag before using and don't walk barefoot

Humans however - don't forget this - are much more dangerous: if they drive a car!

More info: animal attacks

Community

Responsibility: Everyone is responsible for himself. Don't depend on other people, but on your own senses! There is no main responsible person; all participants take responsibility for the event as well.

Leadership: Although I send you the invitations, I like to share the leadership. If it is practical, I hand the map over. If you like, you can prepare yourself by arrangement for a part of the route (for example with Osmand or maps.google.com).

Compromises: Don't be afraid of saying wishes, for example concerning the breaks! But please be willing to compromise as well! The walking pace predominantly depends on the slower participants.

Do your own events

We look forward to your participation! On the other hand, we are sorry if you have to travel far for it and harm the environment. In this case we suggest you organize your own events - near you! Be it hikes (walkabouts), bike tours, workshops, retreats and gatherings - we will be happy to announce them here and via our newsletter (around 1500 addresses), if they are on the base of donations, of raw food and for several days.

Environmental protection

The commercial hikes and tours are mostly a big problem for the environment and climate because of the consumption of energy, water and other resources. Our events show an alternative. We do our tours very close to where we are staying and use public transport to get there. We spend the night outside and therefore do not use any resources. And we find the food to a large extent on the path in nature, or we bring it from our gardens.

Arrival: If possible, please come by foot, with bike, bus, railway, ship or hitch-hiking! As wanderers we want less traffic on the roads. And airplanes are very ecologically harmful.

Rubbish: Please don't leave rubbish in the nature and collect also the rubbish, which other people left on our sleeping place - as a sign of thanks to mother earth, who is our home.

Chemicals: Please try to live during the Walkabout without any chemical product. Chemicals are foreign matters in nature. So please use natural toothpastes, soaps, suncream etc. without chemical ingredients - or renounce them totally.

Mobile: We prefer you not to be connected to the internet all the time, so please turn it off when you don't need it, or put it on airplane mode.

Toilet: Please leave your excrement so that nobody will step in - dig a little hole and close it after using.

Health

Since we are in nature day and night, these events connect us with nature. We learn to cope with the heat, cold, humidity, overgrown paths, rivers, mountains and animals. We also learn which fruits and herbs we can eat, we eat very naturally and healthily. The events can cure us without any medicine, simply by connecting with nature!

Wild plants: If you're interested in wild plants, please ask me or other herbal experts! I like to share my knowledge, if I feel interest.

Invitations

The events are open to anyone who feels comfortable with these challenges. Normally I post more details of any event one month before beginning in this blog. Also I send the details via newsletter (email). If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, please write to me.

Glossary

Rainbow family is a worldwide movement (without hierarchical structures) of mostly simple living people. They organize some events with special traditions (they avoid the term "rules"). Our events are based on the Rainbow traditions.

Rainbow Gatherings are usually month-long camps in remote places, often in the mountains. There is a free coming and going. There are mostly two common meals: in the midday (they call it "morning"...) and evening, funding through donations.

Rainbow Retreats are smaller and shorter gatherings with focus on health and spirituality. Participants should be present from start to finish if possible.

Walkabouts are hikes that are intended to connect us with our roots, which lie in nature. The term originated with the Aborigines in Australia, who want to remember their original lifestyle with such walkabouts (before it was a rite for adolescent men). The Rainbow family has adopted the term.