Lesbian Dating Essentials
R E T R E A T
for longtime lesbians, those just coming out, and everyone in between
August 26-30, 2026
Honors Haven Retreat Center: Mountain paradise with lakes, trails & saunas
Ellenville, NY (two hours from NYC)
This intimate gathering offers you a condensed 4-night, 3-day version of our
popular 12-week online class on Lesbian Dating Essentials.
Many lesbians and women-loving-women struggle to date, whether you've been out
for decades, or have never dated a woman. Join us in an atmosphere of fun, community,
belonging and life-changing learning -- so you can prepare to date women in truly
smart-for-your-heart ways, and find the love you're seeking.
TIMES AND DATES
We'll be gathering on Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., and will be together until Sunday, August 30 at 12 noon. All of your meals from Wednesday dinner through Sunday breakfast will be included.
RETREAT PROGRAM
Each retreat day will include 4-6 hours daily of classroom and experiential learning with Academy Director Ruth Schwartz. We'll cover what's different about lesbian dating, how to prepare yourself, get clear on your needs and vision, find women to date, date to assess rather than to attach, and keep your heart safe, clear and strong while finding connection.
Each day, you'll also get structured connection time led by Outreach Director, Jen Solin, to help you build friendships and community with other participants.
Plus, we'll have fun and there'll be time for you to enjoy the surroundings! Walking, swimming, boating, sauna time, campfires with s'mores, open-mike, music-making and singing — it's like lesbian summer camp. You are always welcome to go at your own pace and participate as much or as little in the activities offered.
Whether you've been out for decades but "never really dated" (as so many lesbians say), are recovering after a big loss, or are new to dating women, this retreat will be life-changing!
EXTENDING YOUR LEARNING POST-RETREAT
If you choose, you can extend your retreat experience by becoming a member of the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, and participating in our online programs for a full year. We've got unbelievable support, including many live classes throughout the year, weekly coach-led skill-building labs, a weekly group for lesbians 60+, and a weekly group for those coming out later in life.
Or, you can opt to just take the online Lesbian Dating Essentials 12-week Intensive, held September 19 - December 12, à la carte. Either way, extending your Academy time past the retreat experience will help you deepen your learning and Academy friendships, and give you time to actually put the course material into practice.
WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR
Conscious Girlfriend retreat attendees are usually between the ages of 45 and 85. Some are longtime lesbians, while others are newly coming out. We welcome bisexual and queer women and adjacent non-binary people, too. We anticipate approximately 25–30 participants.
VENUE
We will be staying at Honors Haven resort, a large, beautiful retreat center in the Catskill Mountains in Ellenville, NY, about two hours from NYC. The retreat center has beautiful mountain views, lakes, walking trails, gardens, indoor & outdoor pools, saunas, comfortable lodging and great food.
>See the facilities at the Honor's Haven website here
Retreat attendance can only be booked through us, not through the facility.
RETREAT INCLUDES
Four nights of accommodation in a premium room, single (king) or double (full beds) with private bath and lake, mountain or garden views.
Delicious buffet-style meals and snacks beginning Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., through Sunday, August 30, 12:00 noon. Special dietary needs can be accommodated.
An online space where participants can connect prior to the retreat to share contact information. Sometimes, participants carpool to and from retreats, supporting one another and sharing time together pre and post-retreat.
HOW THIS RETREAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
There's really nowhere else you can find this kind of conscious, emotionally intelligent, welcoming lesbian/queer learning environment.
Amazing things happen both at, and after our retreats. For instance, "Ann," who attended last January, arrived knowing no one, and had only met one other lesbian in her life. Now, four months later, she's immersed in supportive lesbian community and is happily in her first lesbian relationship, too. "Jill" came following a fresh heartbreak ("I ignored so many red flags," she admitted ruefully.) Now she's got the confidence to know she won't do that again, plus a whole posse of queer friends supporting her healing process.
FEES
Early-Bird Rates through June 26, 2026: $2099 single (your own room) or $1799 double (you may request a roommate, or sign up with a friend who wishes to share your room)
Rate if you sign up June 27-August 20, if available: $2299 single, $1999 double
There are also special packages being offered if you choose to bundle the online course post retreat or membership, which is optional.
Have other questions? Not sure if this retreat is right for you? We're glad to have a 1:1 chat to help you figure it out. >Book your phone chat with our warm, wise Outreach Director, Jen, here.
Scenes From Our Previous Retreats
Academy Director Ruth Schwartz explains what you'll gain from a Conscious Girlfriend retreat -- whether you're just coming out, a longtime lesbian, or anywhere in between.
Retreat Details
(Save $200 for the in-person retreat + online course bundle)
(Save $250 for basic bundle or $350 for deep dive bundle)
Scenes From Previous Retreats
FAQs About Conscious Girlfriend Academy Retreats
Q: What are Conscious Girlfriend Academy's lesbian retreats like?
Conscious Girlfriend Academy is the leading global online community and learning hub for growth-oriented lesbians, queer women and adjacent non-binary people. Our retreats are focused on heart connections and learning. These multi-day events invite you to:
Connect with warm-hearted lesbians and queer women
Experience a non-hookup, community-focused environment
Explore workshops and conversations that support personal growth and authentic connection
For some, CGA retreats are their first time in a group of lesbians. It's a safe, welcoming space to step into community. For others, CGA retreats rekindle the joyful spirit of past decades of lesbian gatherings.
Q: What are the settings of our retreats?
We choose beautiful places for our retreats! Please check the details above for the retreat you're interested in.
Q: Who are Conscious Girlfriend Academy retreats for?
CGA retreats are especially for single lesbians and queer women seeking community and friendship, though couples are warmly welcome, too. Our learning retreats tend to have 25-30 participants. Our members-only retreats tend to have 60-70 participants.
Many participants arrive knowing no one. Our atmosphere, culture and programming will help you quickly feel connected, and most attendees make lifelong friends at Academy retreats.
Most participants are ages 30s-80s.
Women who are just coming out, are bisexual or are exploring their queer identity are embraced here.
Longtime lesbians looking to reconnect with lesbian culture and community will feel like ducks in water :)
It’s the perfect space if you’ve been longing for meaningful connection without the pressure of a bar or dating scene and if you are a growth-oriented woman-loving-woman who wants to hang out with and/or date people committed to conscious, healthy relationships.
Q: What can I expect to experience at the retreat?
At our Conscious Girlfriend Academy retreats, you can look forward to:
Workshops for self-discovery and personal growth
Evening gatherings that foster joy and belonging, including campfires and maybe even s'mores (gluten-free for some of us)
Fantastic meals
Time to relax, reflect, and recharge in warm-hearted company, welcoming to introverts, extroverts and everyone in between
Many participants say the true magic is in the friendships and confidence they take home with them.
Q: I’m just coming out. Will I fit in?
Absolutely! Our retreats are crafted for inclusivity and comfort, offering a gentle landing for those:
Newly coming out
Exploring their lesbian or queer identity
Seeking their first connection with lesbian community
You’ll be surrounded by growth-oriented, open-hearted women who will support, uplift, and welcome you exactly as you are.
Q: What makes Conscious Girlfriend Academy lesbian retreats unique?
Unlike a larger event or party-focused weekends, Conscious Girlfriend Academy retreats offer:
A non-intimidating, community-first atmosphere
Workshops and activities that prioritize self-acceptance, learning, and authentic connection
Opportunities to bond with other single lesbians without the pressure of a hookup or dating-focused event
An opportunity to meet in person with your past, present or future classmates in the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, the world's only online school and community devoted to helping lesbians and adjacent queer people live our best lives, date wisely and love well.
Q: Do you have to be an Academy member in order to attend?
Some of our retreats are for members only, but our learning retreats are open to everyone.
The learning retreat Lesbian Dating Essentials, August 26-30, does not require membership. You can sign up for this retreat a la carte, though many people also choose to continue with our online Lesbian Dating Essentials 12-week course, held September 19-December 12, after attending the retreat.
Our Palm Springs retreat (November 5-9) and our Tampa-area retreat (March 7-12, 2027) are for members only. Most Academy members find that the Academy dramatically uplevels their capacity for higher-quality, authentic friendship and relationships. So it's a special perk to be able to spend F2F time with those women you've previously seen in the Zoom squares, and see what blossoms.
Jodine & Nancy ~ Poolside Banter About The Napa Retreat
Comments About Previous CGA Retreats
"Food for the Heart & Soul"
"The weekend at Palm Springs Retreat was healing and exhilarating at the same time. Getting to know these women one on one and being touched by their stories and their strength is almost overwhelming. The feeling of being safe, accepted and loved was abundant. My heart was so very full the entire time.
I am so privileged to be a part of a group of women who are open, honest, trusting and loving. I feel safe with all of them. The faces became living people whom I will call "sisters". The connections at the retreat fed our hearts and souls. Ruth, Nicki and Jen ultimately provided the safe space for us to meet, learn and appreciate each other!"
"The Ripples Of This Experience Are Moving Out Into The World"
"To each and every CGA sister who was there, your energy, openness, and authenticity made this retreat even more powerful. You brought so much love, insight, and beauty into our shared space, and I am forever grateful for you all.
To all my sisters at Conscious Girlfriend Academy, I see you, I cherish you, and I am so honored to walk this path with you. The ripples of this experience are moving out into the world, and I can’t wait to continue this journey together."
"My First Lesbian Retreat"
"It was a magical experience. And very significant for me, as it was the first lesbian retreat I was ever part of. 😍"
And Yet More Pictures...
"Breakthroughs, Fun, New Friends, Empowerment, Hope"
"I loved this weekend with every part of me. Breakthroughs in so many areas, plus connection. Fun. New friends. Empowerment. Hope. And a healthy dose of harmless flirting."
With Love From Our Fearless Leaders: Nicki, Jen and Ruth
And oodles of thanks to our retreat photographer Jody Potiker
for this photo and many of the others on this page!
Open-Hearted. Growthful. Fun. Friendship-Making.
Welcoming all women-loving-women and adjacent non-binary people.
