Arcadia Policies

Ground Rules and Policies for Physical Retreats

While the Ground Rules below apply to all Arcadia events, the Policies and Guidelines relate specifically to in-person physical retreats. There is a separate link on the Arcadia menu for policies, guidelines, and etiquette for Virtual retreats.

Code of Conduct

Ground Rules

In order to create a positive environment for everyone attending Arcadia, please observe the following ground rules.

Everyone’s beliefs and paths will be respected.
There will be no body shaming.
Please don’t try to be “holier than thou” or “Pagan-ier than thee.”
Be open to talking about beliefs without attacking other people’s beliefs.
Newbies are welcome. Feel free to ask questions.
Participate.
Please don’t dominate conversations. Give others space to talk too.
Respect consent culture – No means No. Yes means Yes. Clarify Maybe’s.
Any overt expression of sexuality should take place in the privacy of one’s tent.

Policies and Guidelines

Parking

Limited parking spaces are available at camp sites. Overflow parking is available in the main parking lot near the visitor center.

Parking passes are required for all vehicles within the park.

We are including parking passes in the registration cost for those who camp with us and will have these for our guests at our main campsite.

If you reserve your own campsite, cabin, yurt, or RV site in the park, your parking pass is included with your park registration.

If you day trip or secure accommodation outside of the park, you are responsible for your own parking pass upon arrival at the park.

Parking passes are typically around $10 per day.

Cell Phones and Connected Devices

Consider unplugging for the weekend! Connect with nature, spirituality, and other people at the retreat! Focus on the here and now! Take a break from your regular contacts and obligations! Frequent texting and phone calls can distract from the atmosphere of the retreat!

If you absolutely must stay connected, please keep your devices on silent or vibrate and take or make any calls or texts you need to away from the main cabin, workshops, rituals, and other group activities.

We recommend that you bring a car charger or portable battery charger for your phone, tablet, or other electronic devices. Electricity may or may not be available on site.

There will be one designated staff cell phone that will remain on (but silent) throughout the day so incoming guests can call to locate us. The staff cell phone will also be on in case of emergency.

There is no WiFi service at the cabins or campsites. There is WiFi service, for those who need it, at the main information center.

Photography

Photography will be allowed during the event and a staff photographer may be taking pictures for promoting future events. If you wish to take photos, please ensure that those persons in the photos do not mind being photographed. As with the cell phone and computer policy, please keep photography during the retreat as unobtrusive as possible.

Weapons / Bladed Ritual Tools

Please don’t bring weapons to Arcadia. If you absolutely must, please keep them in your vehicle.

Alcohol

You may bring or partake of alcohol so long as you are over the age of 21, and so long as you do not get out of hand. Individuals who become a problem will be asked to leave. Virginia State Law and campground policies designate that alcohol may only be used in private areas (inside a cabin or camping-unit). If you wish to partake of alcohol outside, such as around the campfire, please put it in another container to make it less obvious.

Nudity / Ritual Garb

As the retreat will take place at a public park, nudity is not allowed in public. You may bring and wear your ritual garb at your own discretion. As already mentioned, this is a public park, and we don’t want to spook the mundanes (too much).

Stolen / Lost Items

We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. We recommend that you keep any valuables, wallets, cash, etc. on your person or locked out of sight in your vehicle.

Minors

This event is open to men over the age of 18. Minors will not be allowed.

Work Shifts

All attendees are required to sign-up for a work shift / task throughout the weekend. Primary work shifts will involve helping to cook, cleaning up after meals, getting firewood, tending the fire and grill, and running errands. Hosting a workshop, ritual, or other activity counts as a work shift.

Quiet Hours

Park quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am. There should be no excessive noise after 10pm. Drum circles and other loud activities that could disturb other campers in the park should stop by 10pm.

Park Rules and Laws

Park rules and state laws supersede any policies we have for the retreat.

Woodland Safety

Be safe in the woods

Below are some guidelines to help you navigate the wild forests of Arcadia:

Please be fire aware. Realize that during dry weather even the slightest spark could combine with dry leaves and sticks to create a fire.
It should be self-evident, but don’t go eating unidentified wild berries or plants as some of these could be poisonous.
Be careful what plants you touch. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Giant Hogweed, and other plants can cause severe skin irritation if touched.
Don’t go disturbing wood piles and rock piles. These could be the home of bees, wasps, hornets, spiders, snakes, and other wild creatures. Some of these creatures bite or sting.
Sunscreen and insect repellent are your friends.
Make sure to drink enough water so you don’t get dehydrated.
Don’t leave food or open food containers near your tent or campsite. These could attract wild animals.
Be aware of wild animals and don’t provoke them.