“These ladies currently fighting or conquering breast cancer are the strongest people I’ve ever met,” said co-program coordinator of Casting for Recovery (CfR)-South Dakota Paige Schultz.
For 30 years, CfR has been empowering women in treatment or recovery from breast cancer through oncology-informed retreats. In 2026, they will host 60 retreats nationwide, including one in South Dakota in the fall.
These events connect over 800 women to each other and to nature using the therapeutic sport of fly fishing, and are offered at no cost to participants.
“I’ve worked in the outdoor industry for 10 years, and while I’m well aware of and am an advocate for the healing power of nature, CfR has really shown me nature’s healing power is full force,” said Schultz. “It’s incredibly powerful seeing the peace and happiness flood over our participants throughout the weekend. The smiles and laughs are contagious.”
Applications are due July 9 for the fourth annual retreat at NeSoDak in Waubay, taking place September 18-20. Women can be in any stage of their cancer journey and must apply to the CfR retreat within their state or closest geographically.
DID YOU KNOW?
70% of the women who attend Casting for Recovery retreats have never been to a support group.
“I wasn’t sure a retreat was for me, but I’m trying to make up for five years, so I vowed to do more things to make up for lost time,” said Peggy Laurenz, who has been in recovery from breast cancer since 2023 and metastatic melanoma since 2020.
Fourteen attendees are chosen within 10 days of the application deadline through a lottery process. Karen Barclay and Kristin Oordt, South Dakota’s participant coordinators, connect with attendees to answer questions and prepare them for the upcoming retreat.
More than 1,800 volunteers all over the United States make it happen, including medical and psychosocial professionals, fly fishing instructors, and alumni.
“Having past participants return as a volunteer for the program speaks to the greatness of the program and its mission,” said co-program coordinator Sandy Richter. “They have been through the trenches and know the journey, and are our best advocates for the program and for our participants.”
The 2025 CfR-South Dakota took place September 12-14 at Outlaw Ranch in Custer. Free to participants thanks to donations, grants, and sponsors (like South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, Black Hills Area Community Foundation, Black Hills Fly Fishers, and Dakota Trout Unlimited), the weekend-long retreat offered a full schedule fulfilling their mission of empowering women, mental health and wellness, and conservation.
“THEY’VE SPENT THEIR ENTIRE DIAGNOSES TAKING CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, JOBS, AND MORE, AND THE VOLUNTEERS ARE SO THRILLED TO GIVE THESE AMAZING WOMEN A WEEKEND ALL TO THEMSELVES.”
Paige Schultz
“The ranch was serene and beautiful. There were great places to wander and explore,” said Cheryl Prunty, who has been a cancer survivor since 1995. “The animals were so fun; we could hear the donkeys and horses along with all the wonderful sounds of nature from the window of our room.”
Much of Friday is spent getting to know one another and laying out the plans for the weekend. Many of the participants recalled connecting right away.
“What stood out to me the most wasn’t a moment, but the feelings,” said Laurenz. “I didn’t expect to have the kinship we had or feel the love I had for the group.”
Saturday included a “morning mindfulness” hike and learning the ins and outs of fly fishing. The ladies were fitted for their boots and waders and went over fly fishing knots.
One of the main reasons fly fishing is chosen for this particular retreat is because of the gentle motion of fly casting, which serves as physical therapy to those who have undergone radiation or surgery, while also connecting to nature. Guides are matched with each attendee.
“Sandy and I spend a good amount of time pairing the retreat participants and fly fishing guides up based on personalities, common interests, and mutual connections,” said Schultz. “It’s so fun watching the anticipation to go fishing build throughout the weekend.”
IT’S HISTORY
Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, VT by a breast reconstruction surgeon and a professional fly fisher.
The women are treated to a medical and psychosocial session Saturday afternoon. These sessions are dedicated to asking medical staff any question they can think of about breast cancer recovery, treatment, side effects, and more. The women are able to connect with one another through common struggles, feelings, and unique and shared experiences.
“The best part of the weekend was being around 13 other women on a different, but same journey as me,” said Terri Vanden Bosch, who has been in recovery since 2022. “We could talk about our scars, fears, and joys knowing that the other person understood because they had their own scars, fears, and joys.”
Sunday morning began with a “stone’s throw” activity. Each rock had a word that represented something for that individual.
“The rock could be something we were hanging onto or something we wanted to manifest in our lives, and we threw it into the water,” said Michaela Kallis, who has been in recovery since 2023.
After a quick breakfast, it was time to fly fish. The group got ready and loaded up for Stockade Lake in Custer State Park. While it’s a calming sport, Richter says the “hooting and hollering” echoed from the women and their guides as they attempted to catch a fish.
“THE WHOLE EVENT WAS SO LIFE-RESTORING TO ME.”
Terri Vanden Bosch
“There is a friendly competition between the guides on who is going to catch the first fish,” laughed Richter.
Laurenz recalls her guide’s patience with her and getting tips during the activity.
“After that weekend he went through his gear and put together a rod that he gifted me,” she said. “We have plans to fish together this fall.” Vanden Bosch says her guide was determined to catch the first fish, and they were successful.
“My guide was amazing,” she said.
The weekend came to a close with a luncheon and presentation of certificates—but CfR didn’t end there. A private Facebook group was created right after the retreat called the Courageous Outlaws, making it easy for the 2025 group to stay in touch.
“It’s hard to put into a sentence what the retreat meant to me, so I will give you words—healing, joy, tears, peace, love, bonding, growth, understanding, empathy, and empowerment,” said Vanden Bosch.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CASTINGFORRECOVERY.ORG+
