Will You Fit In? Group Tour Dynamics
Most of the women who come on our tours do not know one another.
Today, let's talk about fitting in. It is scary for most of us to go on a trip with a bunch of people we’ve never met before. The “what ifs” get going and cause anxiety to spike.
What if I am the oldest one on the trip?
What if I am not fit enough to do the walks and hikes?
What if everyone comes with a friend or a partner and I’m the only one going sola?
What if I am left out?
Will the other women like me? Will they welcome me? (Will I like them?)
What if we have nothing in common?
And the list goes on and on.
This wave of worry can feel like you are back in high school, stressing about whether or not the cool kids will accept you. Blah. We didn’t like that dynamic then, and we don’t go anywhere near it now.
We work hard to make sure you have lots of chances to connect with your crew of travelers during all of our adventures. And if you don’t feel comfortable and connected.
Below, I’ll address some of these concerns, the “what ifs.” These are valid worries, and I hear them often from curious guests considering our trips.
Isn't it telling that so many of us are fretting about being the “only one who________” (fill in the blank with whatever insecurity you are currently experiencing)? It’s normal to feel nervous, especially if it’s your first time on a group journey.
What if I am the oldest person on the trip?
You may be, and if you are, great! You bring wisdom and experience. Thank you.
There is a wide range of ages on our tours, usually from 35 - 75. Many have just reached some milestone. There are plenty of women who join our tours who are in their 20s or 30s, too.
On the last Camino de Santiago pilgrimage tour we hosted, two women in their 70s did 10 - 12 miles per day and generally kicked butt. They were fierce.
Age is a number. And an attitude. We will not discriminate based on how many times you’ve been around the sun. You are welcome here.
Women of all ages come on our trips. Here we area walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
What if I am not fit enough?
If the trip requires a lot of physical effort, we will make sure you know it and ask you if you are up to the challenge.
For example, our Camino pilgrimage trips require guests to walk 10 - 12 miles per day for 7 days. It’s a lot. But it’s doable for most bodies if you train for it. We recommend you walk 5 miles per day, 5 times a week if you do our Caminos. We will help get you set up for success. People in their 80s do the Camino, so don’t feel your age should keep you from it. You just need to prepare.
Our other trips that focus on hiking are the Leavenworth Mountain Adventure (5 mile RT hike), Mt. Raininer National Park tour (several short hikes), Crater Lake and Bend (short hikes and vistas), the Olympic Peninsula and Hoh Rainforest (several short hikes). Our Snowshoeing on Mt. Hood tour is open to all levels, although most women on the trip are beginners.
We love welcoming beginner hikers. We design our journeys so that all sorts of women can enjoy them.
If you are worried that you aren’t in good enough shape to do any of our trips, then ask us. We like to talk to guests about what they can expect and make sure you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
We also like to recommend the gear to keep you safe on the trail. What are the right walking poles, the right shoes, the proper raincoat, the best sunscreen for your trip? We share tips and packing lists to make your journey with us (and those that you do in the future on your own) enjoyable and safe.
Our bold group of women in Costa Rica on the catamaran at sunset just after snorkeling. None of the women on this trip knew each other before joining us in Central America. They had a great time!
What if everyone is with a friend or a partner, and I’m the only one going solo?
Sometimes women come with their sister, daughter, friend, or partner…but most of the time, the women on our trips are sola. They are coming alone, and it is a BRAVE thing to do. Especially if you are more of an introvert. We get that. We will make sure that you feel comfortable and welcome, and we will provide lots of opportunities for you to get to know the other women on the tour.
Do not worry that you’re the only one who will not know anyone. That’s the norm on a Bold Spirit Travel getaway.
Also, many of our longer journeys include a pre-tour Zoom session to get you ready for the trip. During these online sessions, you will introduce yourself to the group of women you will travel with and learn more about them and your guides. This is your first chance to break the ice and usually eases some uncertainty about who you will be with for the next 5 to 10 days.
Some of the women on our trips come with a friend, but most come sola. Here were are on our Wine and Waterfalls tour in Oregon.
Will the other women like me? Will they welcome me? (Will I like them?)
You may really click with the women on your trip. You may meet your next BFF.
Or, maybe not.
We can tell you that the women attracted to Bold Spirit Travel adventures tend to be pretty interesting people. Many of them have explored the world extensively in the past. They have stories to tell and insights to share.
Women who sign up to walk the Camino in Spain or snowshoe on a volcano are not boring! If you are a new and inexperienced traveler, you will learn from the other women on a trip. We hope you will feel bolder by the end of the adventure.
As I mentioned before, many women on our tours come sola, so they are welcoming and eager to meet new people. Our facilitators will also make sure you are seen and heard. We are all about community at Bold Spirit. It’s sort of ‘our thing’: We connect women through adventure!
Don’t let your fears of not fitting in stop you from having a great time on one of our many tours, like this one in Spain! Here we are on the Camino de Santiago.
What should I expect? What’s expected of me?
Our groups of intrepid guests are usually good-natured, fun-loving, and have a sense of humor. It’s important that you are flexible and able to accept situations as they exist because you never know what may come up when traveling. (2020 and 2021 solidified this: change happens, sometimes quickly. Go with the flow.)
Our travelers are open to cultures and curious about different traditions and experiences. And, they are on time. Part of being with the group is being on time so that we can all head out when we need to catch that boat to Ischia or the train to Rome.
Bring an open mind, heart, and a watch, and let’s make some fabulous memories.
Do you have additional questions about what the women on our tours are like? Great. Send them to us here: CONTACT
Or set up a time to talk to us on the phone here: 503-380-3032
Or come to one of our many online information sessions
Once you get a look at the Bold Spirit community, you will feel reassured about signing up for the adventure of a lifetime.