Logistics for Attending
Ecstatically Queer
April 14–16, 2023
This page is for people who have already registered, to get the latest details on attending this retreat.
The covid test requirement
You must bring a covid rapid test (that has not expired). You will self-administer that test when you arrive at the front gate. A Breitenbush staff member will confirm your negative result and then check you into the retreat.
Even if your covid test is negative, you will be turned away at the gate if you are showing any signs of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Besides covid, there are flu, RSV, and cold viruses to be concerned about. We will be in a crowded space for three days, and need to reduce risk as much as reasonably possible.
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.
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that. Upon arrival, you will check in at the gate house. (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: ec@breitenbush.com)
If you want to arrive before 3pm, you may buy a day use pass in advance, directly from Breitenbush to arrive as early as 9am. Email office@breitenbush.com for more details
Friday afternoon is mostly unstructured time to allow for everybody to get settled in and start soaking. At 5:30pm we offer Live Music for gentle movement with Kokoro Kenji in the North Wing. Dinner is at 6:30pm.
Our Opening ceremony & Orientation is right after dinner at 7:45pm. 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. (https://www.ecstaticimmersion.net/schedule.html) We will 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
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: emergency@breitenbush.com. 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: office@breitenbush.com. 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
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
You must bring a covid rapid test (that has not expired). You will self-administer that test when you arrive at the front gate. A Breitenbush staff member will confirm your negative result and then check you into the retreat.
Even if your covid test is negative, you will be turned away at the gate if you are showing any signs of respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. Besides covid, there are flu, RSV, and cold viruses to be concerned about. We will be in a crowded space for three days, and need to reduce risk as much as reasonably possible.
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.
Arriving at the retreat:
The retreat opens at 3pm on Friday. You may arrive any time after that. Upon arrival, you will check in at the gate house. (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: ec@breitenbush.com)
If you want to arrive before 3pm, you may buy a day use pass in advance, directly from Breitenbush to arrive as early as 9am. Email office@breitenbush.com for more details
Friday afternoon is mostly unstructured time to allow for everybody to get settled in and start soaking. At 5:30pm we offer Live Music for gentle movement with Kokoro Kenji in the North Wing. Dinner is at 6:30pm.
Our Opening ceremony & Orientation is right after dinner at 7:45pm. 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. (https://www.ecstaticimmersion.net/schedule.html) We will 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 cool nights
- Pillows & Bedding (sheets and blankets or comforters)*
- Towels
- Toiletries that are biodegradable and unscented
- Flashlight
- a water bottle (not made of glass)
- N95 or KN95 covid mask, just in case
- A covid rapid test or two
Optional:
- earplugs for sleeping (to block out snoring or other sounds)
- A journal for writing reflections (Some of the sessions will include journaling)
- extra snacks (Note: Breitenbush no longer has a visitor refrigerator in the dining hall. You could bring a cooler with ice to keep in your lodging.) 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
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: emergency@breitenbush.com. 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: office@breitenbush.com. 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
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
Adding someone to my lodging spot
You may add someone to your existing lodging reservation, as long as the retreat has not yet hit its maximum capacity. Please email us for more details.
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 right on the Breitenbush website: breitenbush.com/personal-retreats
What if I want to cancel my registration?
You may add someone to your existing lodging reservation, as long as the retreat has not yet hit its maximum capacity. Please email us for more details.
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 right on the Breitenbush website: breitenbush.com/personal-retreats
What if I want to cancel my registration?
- You may cancel your Registration for a full refund of your Event and Lodging Fees, minus a service charge of $75 per person before March 14th or $125 per person between March 15th through March 31st. No cancellation refunds after March 31st. All cancellations must be requested by email.
- After March 31st, your only option is to find a friend to transfer your exact registration spot. You must find and identify the person for the transfer—we do not have a waitlist for that. Transfers require a $125 service charge, must be requested by email, and must be processed by us. No transfers may be initiated within 48 hours of the start of the retreat. (Note: Transfers must go through the registration process and agree to all of the retreat policies.)
