Women Who Drone Retreats - FAQs​

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• Note: 15% of the retreat proceeds will go to Girls Who Drone to train more middle and highschool students.
   

• Question: Why does the Advanced Drone Retreat for Locals begin on July 18th instead of July 17th?

  • Answer: Important Details for Advanced Drone Retreat (Local Attendees) Retreat Dates
    
    The core retreat activities will take place from July 18th to 20th. Please note that July 17th and 21st are reserved for arrivals and departures for attendees staying at the Airbnb.
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    Detailed Itinerary: We'll share a comprehensive schedule closer to the retreat dates.
     

• Question: How do I determine if the all-levels or advanced retreat is more appropriate for me?

  • Answer: If you already own a drone and have some flying experience, the advanced retreat is likely the better choice. The all-levels retreat is geared towards those who are new to drones or have very limited experience.
     

• Question: Do I need my FAA Part 107 Certification to participate in the Drone Retreat?

  • Answer: No, you do not need a Part 107 certification to participate. Our retreats are designed for drone enthusiasts of all levels, including beginners.
     

• Question: How much does the retreat cost?

  • Answer: * For overnight participants: A $500 USD deposit is required to secure your spot. The total cost will vary depending on your choice of lodging. Airbnb rooms will be selected individually by participants. (The Helix Retreat)

    • For local participants (workshop only): The workshop fee is $600 USD.
       

• Question: What is included in the cost?

  • Answer: The retreat includes:

    • Workshops and flight training: Led by expert instructors. (see instructor info below).

    • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided throughout the retreat.

    • Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow drone enthusiasts.
       

• The retreat cost does not include:

  • Airfare: Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from San Diego.

  • Transportation to Airbnb: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Airbnb.

  • Airbnb costs: Participants will book and pay for their own Airbnb accommodations.
     

• Question: Can you share some information about the instructors?

  • Answer: Our instructors are Meghan Margo, Elena Garcia, and guest speaker Elena Buenrostro (Founder of Women Who Drone). 
     

• Question: How many people are you expecting per retreat?

  • Answer: To ensure a quality experience, we're aiming for 10-15 attendees staying at the Airbnb. We may also have a few local participants who will attend the workshops but not stay overnight.  
     

• Question: Do you plan to hold retreats near NYC or on the East Coast this year?

• Answer: We don't have plans for NYC this year, but we'll be sending out a survey to gauge interest for future locations. The location of future retreats will depend on the success of the first two retreats in San Diego. 
   

• Question: When do I need to pay?

• Answer: We ask that a $500 deposit in USD be made by Thursday March 6th, 2025 to ensure we can secure the designated space. However, if you’re interested in a private space, we recommend securing and confirming your spot as soon as possible. 
   

• Question: What is your cancellation policy?

• ​Answer: We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your retreat reservation, please notify us as soon as possible.
   

  • Refunds: Because deposits are used to secure the retreat location and accommodations, they are refundable only if we can fill your spot from our waitlist.
     

  • Cancellation Timing: The earlier you cancel, the greater the chance we can fill your spot and issue a refund.

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• Question: Should I rent a car? If so, is there free or available parking on site?

  • Answer: You have the option to rent a car or take an Uber from the airport to the retreat location. We will carpool to La Jolla Shores for our field drone day. The Helix Retreat has 6 available parking spots.

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• Question: Or would it be easier to get an Uber to the location from the airport?

  • Answer: Both options are convenient. We recommend Ubering to the retreat location if possible, to help us reserve parking for local attendees.

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• Question: What is the closest airport I should use/fly into?

• Answer: The closest airport is San Diego International Airport.

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• Question: Are we expected to bring any gear (laptop, etc.)?

  • Answer: We recommend bringing your laptop and drone to the retreat.

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• Question: What types of meals will be provided?

  • Answer: To ensure that we accommodate all dietary needs and preferences, we will send out a food options survey to all participants after the retreat is fully booked. This will be sent no later than April 30th.

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• Question: What are the alternative options?

  • Answer: At this time, these are our only summer retreat offerings. We will announce any future retreats as soon as we have more details. 

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• Question: I have a question that isn't covered in the FAQ, how do I contact you?
  Answer: Please email us at info@womenwhodrone.co