Logistics for Attending
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:
All registration details are handled directly by Breitenbush. Please email them with any questions, changes, or cancellations: [email protected]. Note: You may not directly sell or otherwise transfer your spot to someone else. All registration changes must go through the Breitenbush office.
Respiratory Illness (including covid)
Thanks in advance for your support and understanding to help keep the community healthy. We will be together in crowded spaces for three days, and all acknowledge the risks of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Masking is very welcome at the retreat, but not required. We do not require that everyone take a rapid test before arriving, though we encourage it.
Our Core Health Agreement: To ensure a healthy environment for everyone, our primary agreement is that no one may be at the retreat with outward symptoms of a respiratory infection (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc.). Even if your symptoms feel benign, they can create significant unease for others in shared spaces like the dance hall, dining hall, and soaking pools. Please understand that masking will not be a substitute for this requirement. Anyone who develops noticeable symptoms will be compassionately asked to make arrangements to leave the retreat. For those with seasonal allergies, please come prepared with any medications or tools (neti pot, herbs, antihistamines, decongestants, etc.) needed to ensure your symptoms are fully managed.
Please note that Breitenbush policy does not allow for refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason). Therefore, to protect both your health and your investment in this retreat, we strongly encourage you to minimize your exposure to respiratory viruses for at least a week prior. Avoiding large, crowded gatherings is a key strategy. If you must cancel due to illness, please let us know as soon as possible. An early cancellation provides the best opportunity to fill your spot from our waiting list.
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that.
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. At 5:00pm we offer "Name Necklace Crafting" in the North Wing. 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 bringing 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
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:
All registration details are handled directly by Breitenbush. Please email them with any questions, changes, or cancellations: [email protected]. Note: You may not directly sell or otherwise transfer your spot to someone else. All registration changes must go through the Breitenbush office.
Respiratory Illness (including covid)
Thanks in advance for your support and understanding to help keep the community healthy. We will be together in crowded spaces for three days, and all acknowledge the risks of respiratory viruses (covid, RSV, and flu). Masking is very welcome at the retreat, but not required. We do not require that everyone take a rapid test before arriving, though we encourage it.
Our Core Health Agreement: To ensure a healthy environment for everyone, our primary agreement is that no one may be at the retreat with outward symptoms of a respiratory infection (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc.). Even if your symptoms feel benign, they can create significant unease for others in shared spaces like the dance hall, dining hall, and soaking pools. Please understand that masking will not be a substitute for this requirement. Anyone who develops noticeable symptoms will be compassionately asked to make arrangements to leave the retreat. For those with seasonal allergies, please come prepared with any medications or tools (neti pot, herbs, antihistamines, decongestants, etc.) needed to ensure your symptoms are fully managed.
Please note that Breitenbush policy does not allow for refunds for last-minute cancellations (due to illness or any other reason). Therefore, to protect both your health and your investment in this retreat, we strongly encourage you to minimize your exposure to respiratory viruses for at least a week prior. Avoiding large, crowded gatherings is a key strategy. If you must cancel due to illness, please let us know as soon as possible. An early cancellation provides the best opportunity to fill your spot from our waiting list.
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that.
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/1YTh2G7wXCwJ8z_gcFTPhPyWXpo-3mpVURpoPzcNMCEM/edit?usp=sharing
Friday afternoon is unstructured time to allow for everybody to get settled in and start soaking. At 5:00pm we offer "Name Necklace Crafting" in the North Wing. 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 bringing 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)
- In the event of a rainy forecast: a waterproof hat, a good rain jacket, Flip-flops, and extra towel or two.
Optional:
- covid rapid test
- 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!)
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, menthol rub, etc.
- glitter, face gems, makeup stickers, etc (because some always ends up in the pools)
- high-wattage devices (hair dryer, electric kettle, etc.)
- pets
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?
If you are already registered, you may add someone to your lodging any time before March 15th or when the retreat reaches max capacity of 85, whichever comes first. But they must be added manually by the Breitenbush office (not through online registration). So to add someone, send an email with all of the details to [email protected], and they will work out all of the arrangements and payment.
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?
If you are already registered, you may add someone to your lodging any time before March 15th or when the retreat reaches max capacity of 85, whichever comes first. But they must be added manually by the Breitenbush office (not through online registration). So to add someone, send an email with all of the details to [email protected], and they will work out all of the arrangements and payment.
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.
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