Logistics for Attending
Ecstatically Queer
April 12–14, 2024
This page is for people who have already registered, to get the latest details on attending this retreat.
Preparing Body, Mind & Spirit:
Registration Changes or Questions:
Please note that all registration details are handled directly by Breitenbush. Please email them with any questions or changes: [email protected].
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that. (Please note that PJ is unavailable by email after 11am on Friday. If you are running late or having troubles getting to the retreat, please email our Event Coordinator: [email protected])
If you want to arrive before 3pm, you must pay for an early access pass in advance, to arrive as early as 9am. It's $20 for early access, and another $14 if you want lunch too. Email [email protected] for more details.
Please consider carpooling! There are two places to look for ride shares:
Friday afternoon is unstructured time to allow for everybody to get settled in and start soaking. Dinner is at 6:00pm.
Our Opening ceremony & Orientation is right after dinner at 7:15pm. This session is mandatory—it's where we introduce everyone, go over healthy boundaries & consent, and begin building camaraderie as a cohort. Everybody is expected to be there.
The retreat schedule is on the website. (www.ecstaticallyqueer.net/schedule.html) We will also be providing printed programs at the retreat.
Extra Goodies for You!
We are providing a few goodies that are not normally provided at Breitenbush
--Coffee: Breitenbush provides drip filters and holders for making coffee, as well as a variety of herbal teas. We will be bringing 8+ lbs. of fair-trade, organic coffee to share with everyone until it runs out.
--Snacks: we will be providing some late-night snacks on Friday and Saturday!
What to bring to the retreat:
Optional:
What Not to Bring to the retreat
Respiratory illness (including covid)
We will be together in a very crowded indoor space for three days. Our agreement with Breitenbush requires that we minimize the risk of community transmission of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Therefore, nobody may be at the retreat with any outward symptoms of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Even if you believe your symptoms are benign (from allergies or a lingering cough), many folks will feel unsafe in proximity of sneezing or coughing in the dance hall, the dining hall, and the soaking pools. Unfortunately, masking or social distancing will not be acceptable fixes for outward signs of illness. If you do suffer from seasonal allergies, be sure to bring whatever medications and tools you need to keep your symptoms at bay—antihistamine, decongestant, neti pot, herbs, etc.
Since there are no refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason), we strongly encourage participants to minimize their exposure risk to all respiratory viruses for at least a week leading up to our event. Quarantining is best. If you come down with an illness between now and the retreat, we suggest you cancel ASAP to maximize the possibility that your spot can be filled from the waiting list.
If you develop any signs of respiratory infection while at Breitenbush, you are required to mask immediately and report to a staff member to figure out next steps.
If Someone Needs to Reach You at Breitenbush:
There is no cell phone service at Breitenbush. The quickest way to get a message from someone outside the retreat is via email.
For urgent emergencies, have them use: [email protected]. If Breitenbush receives an emergency message for you, the Breitenbush staff will do their best to find you ASAP.
For general messages, have them use: [email protected]. If Breitenbush gets a general message for you, they will post a note on the board outside the cafeteria.
If you need an emergency phone number rather than email for someone to get in touch with you, have them use this number and leave a message: 503-854-3320
Integrating the Experience // After Care
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading and preparing well so that we can have a smooth immersion experience together!
Much Love,
PJ & AveryDeane
- Intention - Consider your personal focus for the weekend. Perhaps journal about this.
- Rest - for your body and your mind. Maybe build in extra meditation or journaling or nature walks to help calm a busy mind in prep for a weekend in the woods, so you can drop in more quickly on Friday. (This is also a great way to focus on you and minimize exposure risk to any respiratory or other illness that could get you turned away at Breitenbush!)
- Plan - Spend proactive time with the packing list in advance to ensure you’ll have everything you need!
- Detox - Reduce the use of any substances that are a regular part of your life but won’t be available at Breitenbush - alcohol, cannabis, screen time, social media, etc - so there is less shock to your system in going without.
Registration Changes or Questions:
Please note that all registration details are handled directly by Breitenbush. Please email them with any questions or changes: [email protected].
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that. (Please note that PJ is unavailable by email after 11am on Friday. If you are running late or having troubles getting to the retreat, please email our Event Coordinator: [email protected])
If you want to arrive before 3pm, you must pay for an early access pass in advance, to arrive as early as 9am. It's $20 for early access, and another $14 if you want lunch too. Email [email protected] for more details.
Please consider carpooling! There are two places to look for ride shares:
- Breitenbush has a page for seeking and offering rideshares: https://breitenbush.com/rideshare
- We set up a Google sheet to request and offer ride shares for this retreat: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JA7ecKCztZhmQ7c9Tv6qPRdHRcTx-PdldEPWM6Yq1JA/edit?usp=sharing
Friday afternoon is unstructured time to allow for everybody to get settled in and start soaking. Dinner is at 6:00pm.
Our Opening ceremony & Orientation is right after dinner at 7:15pm. This session is mandatory—it's where we introduce everyone, go over healthy boundaries & consent, and begin building camaraderie as a cohort. Everybody is expected to be there.
The retreat schedule is on the website. (www.ecstaticallyqueer.net/schedule.html) We will also be providing printed programs at the retreat.
Extra Goodies for You!
We are providing a few goodies that are not normally provided at Breitenbush
--Coffee: Breitenbush provides drip filters and holders for making coffee, as well as a variety of herbal teas. We will be bringing 8+ lbs. of fair-trade, organic coffee to share with everyone until it runs out.
--Snacks: we will be providing some late-night snacks on Friday and Saturday!
What to bring to the retreat:
- Lots of clothing layers for hot dancing and cold nights
- Pillows & Bedding (sheets and blankets or comforters)*
- Towels
- Personal Toiletries (that are biodegradable and unscented)
- Flashlight
- a water bottle (not made of glass)
Optional:
- earplugs for sleeping (to block out snoring or other people sounds nearby)
- A journal for writing reflections (Some of the sessions will include journaling)
- N95 or KN95 covid mask
- electrolyte powder or tablets to help stay hydrated
- extra snacks (Be aware of hungry critters and make sure any food in your lodging is rodent-proof!)
- caffeinated tea
What Not to Bring to the retreat
- anything that uses an open flame (candle, incense, propane stove, etc.)
- alcohol, drugs, or intoxicants
- fragranced products: essential oils, perfume, cologne, scented lotion, scented shampoo, scented body spray, etc.
- high-wattage devices (hair dryer, electric kettle, etc.)
- pets
Respiratory illness (including covid)
We will be together in a very crowded indoor space for three days. Our agreement with Breitenbush requires that we minimize the risk of community transmission of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Therefore, nobody may be at the retreat with any outward symptoms of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Even if you believe your symptoms are benign (from allergies or a lingering cough), many folks will feel unsafe in proximity of sneezing or coughing in the dance hall, the dining hall, and the soaking pools. Unfortunately, masking or social distancing will not be acceptable fixes for outward signs of illness. If you do suffer from seasonal allergies, be sure to bring whatever medications and tools you need to keep your symptoms at bay—antihistamine, decongestant, neti pot, herbs, etc.
Since there are no refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason), we strongly encourage participants to minimize their exposure risk to all respiratory viruses for at least a week leading up to our event. Quarantining is best. If you come down with an illness between now and the retreat, we suggest you cancel ASAP to maximize the possibility that your spot can be filled from the waiting list.
If you develop any signs of respiratory infection while at Breitenbush, you are required to mask immediately and report to a staff member to figure out next steps.
If Someone Needs to Reach You at Breitenbush:
There is no cell phone service at Breitenbush. The quickest way to get a message from someone outside the retreat is via email.
For urgent emergencies, have them use: [email protected]. If Breitenbush receives an emergency message for you, the Breitenbush staff will do their best to find you ASAP.
For general messages, have them use: [email protected]. If Breitenbush gets a general message for you, they will post a note on the board outside the cafeteria.
If you need an emergency phone number rather than email for someone to get in touch with you, have them use this number and leave a message: 503-854-3320
Integrating the Experience // After Care
- Take a long walk in nature (or even a short walk if that’s what is available in the moment).
- Take a hot bath with Epsom salt and your favorite essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, and frankincense are some of our favorites).
- Call a friend to talk about the experience. Consider setting a timer for your share for a length of time (7 mins or more suggested) to flow through a stream of consciousness without interruption.
- Journal about your experience and what’s been coming up since then.
- Movement practice - dance, yoga, tai chi, swimming, walking, running, biking etc
- Silent sitting meditation
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading and preparing well so that we can have a smooth immersion experience together!
Much Love,
PJ & AveryDeane
FAQs
How do I add someone to my lodging spot?
This retreat is completely full to capacity. The only way to add someone to your lodging at this point is to submit them to the waiting list, and then email a "please add someone to my lodging request" to Breitenbush ([email protected]) if you are notified that a waitlist spot has opened up. Here is the waiting list link:
https://breitenbush.secure.retreat.guru/program/ecstatically-queer-community-dance-immersion/?form=1&lang=en
How do I arrange to stay at Breitenbush for additional nights before and/or after this retreat?
You may book extra nights to extend your stay. Please email [email protected] for more details.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
Cancellation and refund requests submitted at least 14 days prior to the start date of this event will be accepted, and the full balance will be refunded minus a $100.00 service charge. Requests submitted less than 14 days prior to the start date of this event will be accepted, but a refund will only be applied if the space can be filled from our wait list. The $100.00 service charge will still be collected. Please email [email protected] for more details.
How do I add someone to my lodging spot?
This retreat is completely full to capacity. The only way to add someone to your lodging at this point is to submit them to the waiting list, and then email a "please add someone to my lodging request" to Breitenbush ([email protected]) if you are notified that a waitlist spot has opened up. Here is the waiting list link:
https://breitenbush.secure.retreat.guru/program/ecstatically-queer-community-dance-immersion/?form=1&lang=en
How do I arrange to stay at Breitenbush for additional nights before and/or after this retreat?
You may book extra nights to extend your stay. Please email [email protected] for more details.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
Cancellation and refund requests submitted at least 14 days prior to the start date of this event will be accepted, and the full balance will be refunded minus a $100.00 service charge. Requests submitted less than 14 days prior to the start date of this event will be accepted, but a refund will only be applied if the space can be filled from our wait list. The $100.00 service charge will still be collected. Please email [email protected] for more details.
