Schedule for 2021

Times and workshops are tentative and subject to change. We will continue to add and edit this schedule as needed until the gathering begins. 

Our main focus this year is reconnecting after Covid and allowing opportunities to interact.  We hope to offer workshops, discussions, a few rituals, and social opportunities.

If you would like to present a workshop, activity, or ritual please see Arcadia Workshop Proposals.

Friday

1pm and later – Staff and Guests check in, and set up camp

6pm – Dinner

7pm – Welcome talk: What is Arcadia all about?

7:30pm -- Opening Ritual

8pm – Ice breaker and Introductions around the campfire

9-10pm – Drum and Dance Circle

Saturday

8am – Breakfast

9am – Workshop: Reconnecting with your spirituality and life purpose

10am -- Workshop: Connecting with your spiritual and magickal guides

11am -- Morning Hike

12noon – Lunch and free time

2pm -- Discussion: Why is it so hard for Gay and Bi Pagan Men to Connect?

3pm -- Workshop: Connecting with the Greek God Hermes

4pm -- Activity: Carve your own Jack-o-Lantern.  Bring your own pumpkin(s) of any size.  Jack-o-Lanterns will help decorate for tonight's Samhain party.

5pm – Dinner

7pm – Rite of Hermes Ritual

8-10pm – Pan at the Disco: Samhain Masquerade /Costume Party

Sunday

8am -- Breakfast

9am – Closing ritual

10am -- Packing up camp

11am -- Lunch at Shorebreak Pizza for those who wish to stick around and socialize a bit longer

We had hoped to have vendor and networking tables this year.  Due to our change in venue this year, we've had to scale this down considerably.  Why the change?

Networking

Rather than offering individual table spaces for groups and events, we will have a table set aside for folks to leave flyers, pamphlets, business cards, and other information about their groups, gatherings, projects, and causes.

Vendors

Due to park guidelines, we cannot have full scale vending this year.  We will allow individuals attending our retreat to sell crafts, books, music, art, magickal supplies, and so forth under the main tent during lunch and dinner meal hours.  There will be no charge for this, but you are responsible for providing your own small table (not larger than 2' x 4'), for providing any equipment needed to process payments, and for ensuring that you comply with any tax or business regulations (if required).  Please be aware there are no power outlets at our main campsite, and WiFi may be spotty in the campground.

Raffle Donations

If you bring something to sell, we encourage you to donate one or more items to our raffle.  We will sell raffle tickets and raffle off items periodically throughout the gathering.  Any funds raised will go toward this gathering or put aside for next year. 

Basic meals will be included with your registration cost.  This will cover the meals listed below. You are welcome to bring snacks,other food, and drinks to supplement the meals offered.

There will be a vegetarian option.  Folks with other dietary needs and restrictions should inform us at least a week before the event so we have time to plan for this.  We cannot guarantee your dietary restrictions will be met if you inform us later than a week before the event.

Please bring a camp mess kit or your own plates, bowls, eating utensils, and cup or water bottle.  This will help us reduce waste caused by using paper plates, plastic utensils, and Solo cups. 

The menu below is a suggested menu.  The actual menu offerings may vary and is subject to change.

Day 1: (Friday)

Dinner "Weeny Roast" -- Hot dogs, veggie dogs, buns and condiments, sides, chips, tea or soda

Day 2: (Saturday)

Breakfast "Continental" - Oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee

Lunch – Sandwich wraps, chips, tea or soda

Dinner - Chili / Vegetarian Chili, tortillas, shredded cheese, tea or soda.  Make your own S'mores.

Day 3: (Sunday)

Breakfast "Continental" - Oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee

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.

General 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 register with us before the retreat and will have these for our guests at the cabin.  If you did not register for the retreat ahead of time and plan to "pay at the gate", you are responsible for purchasing your own parking pass upon arrival.  Parking passes are typically around $10 per day.

Cell phone and computer policy

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.

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

Bladed ritual tools, swords, daggers, athames, pocket knives, etc will be allowed. However, if they become an issue, we may ask you to put them away.  These items should not be concealed.  Please keep in mind that we are in a public park and that such items could raise the concerns of mundane guests in the park.  If you feel you need to have a gun for protection or defense, we ask that you keep it 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

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.