Arcadia Schedule 2026
Times and workshops are tentative and subject to change. We may continue to add and edit this schedule as needed until the retreat begins.
This year Arcadia is in-person at a campground in Cumberland, Virginia. Campground address and cabin number will be emailed to those who register ahead of the event.
Friday
March 20, 2026
4pm - Staff Check-in
Staff arrive and check-in with the park.
5pm - Guests can start arriving
Weekend participants can now arrive and join us at the cabin.
6pm - Dinner
Meal to be announced. Standard and vegetarian meals will be provided. If you have any other dietary restrictions please let us know when you register. We will try to accommodate you if we can.
7pm -- Welcome to Arcadia
Brief introductions. What is Arcadia? What are our ground rules and expectations for the weekend? Roles will be assigned for the weekend.
8pm -- Opening Ceremony: Queer Ancestors and Spirit Altar & Invocation
We will create a collective altar with photos, mementos, and offerings to honor queer ancestors, deities, and spirits that have special meaning to those attending. Bring your photos, idols, candles, incense, representations of the elements, offerings, and other items to add to the community altar. We will establish sacred space and invoke the spirits for their guidance and blessings. Folks will be given an opportunity to share the meanings behind their contributions to the altar - if they so choose.
9pm -- Social and Contemplative time
Feel free to socialize with other weekend participants or step away for quiet contemplative time.
10pm -- Park Quiet Hours
The park observes Quiet Hours starting at 10pm each night. Feel free to stay up and socialize, just be sure to keep it quiet to avoid disturbing other campers in the park.
Saturday
March 21, 2026
Collecting and Offering Our Insights
8am -- Breakfast
Meal to be announced. Standard and vegetarian meals will be provided. If you have any other dietary restrictions please let us know when you register. We will try to accommodate you if we can.
9am -- The Wild Hunt for Belonging: Exploring Models of Queer Brotherhood and Community
What would it be like to live in a society where we are supported in our sexuality and our spiritual paths? Participants will explore various models of community and relationships that might be of interest to queer Pagan men. These models embody queer community, brotherhood, and chosen family from ancient history and mythology to modern queer community and Pagan traditions?
10:30am -- Building Your Chosen Hearth: Intentional Community Engagement
This workshop will explore the principles of intentional community building within a queer Pagan context. We'll discuss communities we belong to; how we engage in community; barriers to engagement; and the benefits of chosen community.
Noon -- Lunch
Meal to be announced. Standard and vegetarian meals will be provided. If you have any other dietary restrictions please let us know when you register. We will try to accommodate you if we can.
1pm -- Crafting Tribal Talismans
Create a shield or talisman representing your idea of an ideal tribe or community that you'd like to belong to or build. A variety of craft materials will be made available. Participants can also include natural found items like sticks, acorns, rocks, and other materials.
2:30pm -- Pathways to Connection: Creating, Building, and Joining Community Networks that Honor Your Queer Paganism
Participants will be encouraged to envision their ideal chosen family and ideal community and identify concrete steps toward joining, creating, or deepening their connections in these communities. They will also have the opportunity to evaluate whether there are communities in their lives that no longer meet their needs that they need to move on from.
4pm -- Nature Hike.
A chance to get out and enjoy nature and fresh air.
6pm -- Dinner
Meal to be announced. Standard and vegetarian meals will be provided. If you have any other dietary restrictions please let us know when you register. We will try to accommodate you if we can.
7pm -- Main Ritual -- The Weaver's Knot: A Ritual of Queer Community
We will be weaving our separate threads into a single, vibrant tapestry of brotherhood, connection, and shared spirit. What do we have to offer our chosen communities?
8:30pm -- Communing with Spirits
Enjoy friendly conversation, drumming, and/or dancing as you feel called. We'll gently play Pagan, Paganesque, and Queer themed music in the background under a disco ball in the woods! Lite snacks and non-alcoholic spritzers will be provided. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol for themselves or to share (per park rules alcoholic beverages must remain in the cabin). We encourage everyone to wear something festive that honors Pagan nature spirits.
10pm -- Contemplative Time
Meditate and wind down for the evening as we observe the Park’s Quiet Hours.
Sunday
March 22, 2026
8am - Wake and Break!
Enjoy a brief breakfast before we start packing up to leave. We must be out of the cabin by 10am!
10am - Checkout
We have to be out of the cabin and have it cleaned by 10am - no exceptions!
10:15am -- Brief closing ritual outside the cabin before parting ways.
So long. Farewell. We hope you had a wonderful experience and we hope to see you next time!